Perfect Vodka Gimlet
In this vodka gimlet recipe, we swap the traditional gin for vodka and make homemade lime cordial that knocks the socks off anything that you can buy at the store. The classic gimlet is traditionally made with gin and Rose’s sweetened lime juice. Since we usually have vodka on hand, we make this version instead. They are fresh and delicious! For the best gimlet, try making our homemade lime cordial (it’s easy!). Compared to store-bought, it tastes more fresh, zesty, and bright. Bonus, it makes your kitchen smell incredible! I’ve shared how to make it in the gimlet recipe below! Be sure to try our other favorite vodka cocktails, citrusy and sweet lemon drop martini or our popular cosmopolitan cocktail. Key Ingredients Vodka: I love using a higher-quality vodka like Stoli, Ketel One, or Grey Goose. There’s enough vodka in this cocktail that you’ll taste it, so use what you love. For a classic gimlet, use gin. Lime Cordial: You can buy it (Rose’s is a good option), but I love making my own. To make it, you simmer sugar with water and lime zest. Then, when the sugar dissolves (after a few minutes), you can stir in fresh lime juice. It’s sweeter than lime juice but more tart than plain simple syrup. Vodka: I love using a higher-quality vodka like Stoli, Ketel One, or Grey Goose. There’s enough vodka in this cocktail that you’ll taste it, so use what you love. For a classic gimlet, use gin. Lime Cordial: You can buy it (Rose’s is a good option), but I love making my own. To make it, you simmer sugar with water and lime zest. Then, when the sugar dissolves (after a few minutes), you can stir in fresh lime juice. It’s sweeter than lime juice but more tart than plain simple syrup. Find the full recipe with measurements below. Tips for Making the Best Gimlet Tip 1: Make from scratch lime cordial. It’s fun and easy! Clean your limes. We start with a few limes. Since we use the zest and juice, we like to clean them. It may seem a little odd, but limes are usually coated with some sort of wax and since we don’t really want any wax in our cocktail, it’s best to remove it. To remove the waxy layer from limes (or any citrus), just dunk them into boiling water for a few seconds then wipe them clean with a dish towel. Zest your limes. Now that we’re working with squeaky clean limes, we move on to making the lime syrup. Use a microplane or fine zester to remove the outer layer of the rind from one of the limes — you are only looking for the green part, not the white part, which can be bitter. Make zesty syrup. Add the lime zest to a pan with equal parts sugar and water then bring everything to a simmer. As the water simmers, the sugar will dissolve and the oils and flavor of the lime zest will seep out, making a lime flavored simple syrup. Similar to our classic simple syrup. Strain and add lime juice. Let the syrup cool, strain it, add some fresh lime juice and you’re left with a sweetened, fresh lime cordial that’s ready to be made into a gimlet. Clean your limes. We start with a few limes. Since we use the zest and juice, we like to clean them. It may seem a little odd, but limes are usually coated with some sort of wax and since we don’t really want any wax in our cocktail, it’s best to remove it. To remove the waxy layer from limes (or any citrus), just dunk them into boiling water for a few seconds then wipe them clean with a dish towel. Zest your limes. Now that we’re working with squeaky clean limes, we move on to making the lime syrup. Use a microplane or fine zester to remove the outer layer of the rind from one of the limes — you are only looking for the green part, not the white part, which can be bitter. Make zesty syrup. Add the lime zest to a pan with equal parts sugar and water then bring everything to a simmer. As the water simmers, the sugar will dissolve and the oils and flavor of the lime zest will seep out, making a lime flavored simple syrup. Similar to our classic simple syrup. Strain and add lime juice. Let the syrup cool, strain it, add some fresh lime juice and you’re left with a sweetened, fresh lime cordial that’s ready to be made into a gimlet. Tip 2: Use a cocktail shaker. A cocktail shaker filled with ice is a must when making this cocktail. Not only does a cocktail shaker quickly chill all of the ingredients but small ice pieces chip off that slightly dilute the drink. This is intentional to help balance all of the flavors. Perfect Vodka Gimlet PREP 5 mins TOTAL 5 mins PREP 5 mins TOTAL 5 mins A gimlet is a classic cocktail made of gin and lime cordial. In this version, we swap the gin for vodka and make this version instead! Use store-bought lime cordial or make your own. Our homemade lime cordial is below and is super simple! These gimlets are fresh, zesty, and bright. They are a little sweet, but not overly so. If you prefer them less sweet, add an extra squeeze of lime juice to each cocktail or bump up the vodka by a 1/2 ounce to 1 full ounce to balance the syrup. 1 drink You Will Need For Gimlets 2 ounces vodka 2 ½ ounces lime cordial, try homemade lime cordial Lime slice for garnish 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (118ml) water 1 teaspoon lime zest 1/2 cup (118ml) fresh lime juice, from 3 to 4 limes Directions Homemade Cordial (Optional) 1Combine 1 teaspoon of lime zest, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. While whisking, bring to a low simmer and cook until the sugar has completely dissolved into the water, about 5 minutes. 2Set the pan aside to cool completely. Strain the lime syrup and mix it with the fresh lime juice. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Homemade Cordial (Optional) 1Combine 1 teaspoon of lime zest, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. While whisking, bring to a low simmer and cook until the sugar has completely dissolved into the water, about 5 minutes. 2Set the pan aside to cool completely. Strain the lime syrup and mix it with the fresh lime juice. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. How to Make a Gimlet 1Add the vodka and lime cordial to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then strain into a glass. Garnish with a lime slice. How to Make a Gimlet 1Add the vodka and lime cordial to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then strain into a glass. Garnish with a lime slice. Adam and Joanne's Tips Gin gimlet: Substitute vodka with gin. Lime cordial: When I don’t have homemade on hand, I use Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice. You can also use 1 ounce of lime juice mixed with 1/2 ounce simple syrup. The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. Gin gimlet: Substitute vodka with gin. Lime cordial: When I don’t have homemade on hand, I use Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice. You can also use 1 ounce of lime juice mixed with 1/2 ounce simple syrup. The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1 drink / Calories 211 / Protein 0 g / Carbohydrate 22 g / Dietary Fiber 0 g / Total Sugars 20 g / Total Fat 0 g / Saturated Fat 0 g / Cholesterol 0 mg / Sodium 2 mg AUTHOR: Adam Gallagher We’re Adam and Joanne, a couple passionate about cooking and sharing delicious, reliable recipes since 2009. Our goal? To inspire you to get in the kitchen and confidently cook fresh and flavorful meals.More About Us Previous Post: Lemon Herb Potato Salad Next Post: Nutella Croissant Bread Pudding