The gimlet has a colorful history, purportedly invented by a British naval doctor Thomas Gimlette in an attempt to persuade his fellow seamen to drink their required allotment of lime juice to stave off scurvy.
A few noted celebrities adored the gimlet to such an extent that they are remembered for it. Author Raymond Chandler, the author of The Long Goodbye, allegedly rewrote a scene in the novel to include the drink in a bar scene after having tasted one on vacation with his wife. Legendary director Ed Wood, portrayed in the movie by Johnny Depp, adored them so dearly as to use the anagram ‘vodka gimlet’ as the literary pseudonym Telmig Akdov.
What Is In a Vodka Gimlet?
The traditional gimlet is made with gin and lime juice, but like so many other cocktails, vodka can readily replace the gin for those who prefer the taste.
- 2 oz vodka
- Juice of fresh lime or 1 ½ oz lime juice
- Dash powdered sugar
- Lime wedge
How to Make a Vodka Gimlet
- Chill a martini glass in the freezer a few hours prior to serving the drink.
- Fill an aluminum shaker with a strainer three-quarters full of cracked ice.
- Shake the ingredients gently for a minute or so.
- Strain the chilled drink into a chilled martini glass.
- Add sugar and a lime wedge for garnish if desired.
Variations
Basil and Lime Gimlet by Grey Goose
Ingredients
- 2 parts Grey Goose vodka
- ¾ parts fresh lime juice
- 1 part basil syrup (See recipe below)
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add Grey Goose vodka, lime juice, and basil syrup. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with basil leaf.
Basil Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring about 3 minutes to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat. Add basil leaves and let cool.
Vodka Gimlet from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bartending
Ingredients
- 2 oz. vodka
- ¼ oz Roses lime juice
- 1 lime wedge
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Pour in vodka and Rose’s lime juice. Give it a good shake, and strain into an old fashioned glass full of ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
Resources
Novak, Alex. Tawdry Knickers and Other Unfortunate Ways to Be Remembered: A Saucy and Spirited History of Ninety Notorious Namesakes. New York: Perigee, 2010. Print.
“Basil and Key Lime Gimlet.” Grey Goose®
Zavatto, Amy. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Bartending. New York: Alpha, 2005. Print.
