Elegant simplicity at its finest, the Vodka Gimlet is the perfect refreshing blend of tart and sweet.
I must confess, I had my first Gimlet only just recently. Having heard the name before, and argued about its pronunciation, my assumption was that it was a complicated and far too fancy a drink for me. I thought a Gimlet sounded like it needed too many ingredients and that I most definitely didn’t have them on hand to try one out.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. I had everything I needed at home. Trying an original Gimlet, which is just gin, lime juice and simple syrup (or lime cordial), I discovered an easy-to-make and refreshing-tasting cocktail. Tart, sweet and spicy from the gin, I sipped my Gimlet while marveling at whomever created this easy and tasty mixture. Some say it was discovered by Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette, who would mix lime cordial with gin so that sailors wouldn’t succumb to the dreaded scurvy on long sea voyages.
Scurvy doesn’t seem to be an issue these days, at least not for me. This could be because of the contemporary times we live in, or my regular consumption of citrus fruit. Either way, that’s something to toast to, and today we’ll be looking at a very refreshing variation on this cocktail to do just that, the Vodka Gimlet.
Most Gimlets I’ve had are made with gin, but vodka has a more subtle and cleaner taste profile. When mixed, the flavors of the lime and syrup are brought out a little more, popping above the taste of the alcohol. I’ve found vodka doesn’t totally disappear whenever you mix it, but it allows the other ingredients to shine more. Substituting vodka for gin gives any cocktail a crisper bite, and doesn’t overwhelm your palate.
What is the best vodka to use in a Vodka Gimlet?
The better the vodka you choose, the smoother your Gimlet will be. My personal preference is usually a grain- or wheat-distilled spirit, the texture and flavor is a little peppery, but light, and it mixes well with whatever else you combine it with. I would also suggest seeking out a few different Polish vodkas to make your drink with, but the more popular brands you can find at your grocery store work just as fine. They’re always on my shelf.
Ingredients
- 2 oz high-quality vodka
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: lime wheel
Instructions
- Start by placing your cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz of your favorite vodka, 3/4 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/2 oz of simple syrup.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake well for about 15 seconds.
- Take your chilled glass out of the freezer. Strain the mixture into the glass to remove any ice shards. Garnish with a thin wheel of lime
FAQs & Tips
A coupe glass, nicely chilled in the freezer beforehand, will elevate the experience from a simple afternoon cocktail to an elegant one. And a lime wheel completes the look as well as taste.
This drink is best when served immediately and very cold. I wouldn’t store the whole drink mixed together, but you can store the vodka in the freezer ahead of time. This will give the spirit a slightly viscous quality and your cocktail will remain colder longer.
At 174 calories, each Vodka Gimlet is lighter than most cocktails. If you want a more diet friendly drink, you can swap out the simple syrup for one that is made with stevia.
I’ve done this and it’s very good. This is much closer to Tom Collins, minus the club soda, and is a bit sweeter.
You most certainly can! My personal preference is grain vodka, but there’s no rule that says you can’t go for the potato-distilled version of it. A potato vodka will be a little sweeter and denser in its texture.
Vodka Gimlet Variations
After enjoying a few Vodka Gimlets, you might be thirsty for other variations of this delicious cocktail. Twist and Toast has some simple and perfect recipes for you to add to your repertoire:
- Classic Gimlet – Start your Gimlet journey with the original! This cocktail is a classic for good reasons.
- French Gimlet – Replace the simple syrup for St. Germain and give your Gimlet the fresh flavor of elderflowers. I write about one of my new, favorite cocktails here.
- Cucumber Gimlet – A fresh, bright and delicious take on the sweet and tart mixture.
- Southside Cocktail – A close relative to the Gimlet, Al Capone’s favorite drink has a minty flourish.
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