Vodka Gimlet
27%
ABV
185
Calories
Coupe
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or martini glass thoroughly
Add vodka, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker
Fill shaker three-quarters full with high-quality ice
Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until outside of shaker is frosted and painfully cold
Double-strain into chilled glass to remove ice shards or lime pulp
Garnish with a lime wheel floated on surface
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe glass
Garnish
Single, perfectly circular, thin lime wheel floated on surface
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Always use fresh lime juice - bottled juice will ruin the drink
Shake vigorously to achieve proper chill and dilution
Double-strain to ensure silky smooth texture
The 2.5:0.75:0.5 ratio creates perfect balance of tart and sweet
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Vodka Gimlet.
Other Variations
The 1:1 Gimlet
Original ratio with equal parts vodka and lime/sweetener - intensely tart.
Changes
The 2:1 Gimlet
More balanced but still lime-forward version.
Changes
Gin Gimlet
The original with more complex, botanical flavor profile.
Changes
Cucumber Gimlet
Muddled cucumber brings cool, refreshing quality.
Changes
Elderflower Gimlet
St. Germain replaces some or all simple syrup for floral complexity.
Changes
History & Heritage
The Vodka Gimlet's story is linked to its gin predecessor, believed created in the late 19th century to combat scurvy among British Royal Navy sailors. The name is attributed to Surgeon Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette, who mixed lime juice with sailors' gin rations. The original used Rose's Lime Juice Cordial, immortalized in Raymond Chandler's 1953 novel "The Long Goodbye." The vodka version emerged during America's "vodka boom" of the 1970s-80s, as American palates shifted towards vodka's cleaner, more neutral flavor profile.
More to Explore
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Daiquiri No. 1
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