Vodka Gimlet
A sour and citrus vodka cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 21.1% ABV ∙
A Vodka Gimlet is a shaken sour of vodka, lime cordial, and fresh citrus, served up in a coupe as the vodka-based twin to the classic gin Gimlet.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Vodka 70 mlLime cordial 10 mlLemon juice 5 mlLime juice 5 mlSugar syrup 5 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lime twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- The lemon, lime and syrup are just 5 ml each against 70 ml of vodka, so measure them exactly; a few drops either way changes the drink.
History
The Vodka Gimlet is the Gimlet made with vodka instead of gin, a swap that became common as vodka's popularity surged in America from the mid-20th century onward. No bartender, bar, or date is credited with the swap.
The Gimlet it adapts is gin and lime cordial, which The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) set at equal parts.
FAQ
What is a Vodka Gimlet?
A Vodka Gimlet is a Gimlet made with vodka instead of gin: vodka and lime cordial with a little fresh lemon, lime and sugar syrup, shaken and served up. Vodka is cleaner and more neutral than gin, so the tart-sweet lime comes through first.
What is in a gimlet cocktail?
A classic Gimlet is gin and lime cordial, sometimes with a touch of fresh lime juice. The Vodka Gimlet swaps in vodka and adds small amounts of fresh lemon juice, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
What is the ratio for a gimlet?
The classic Gimlet is equal parts gin and lime cordial. This one is far more spirit-forward: 70 ml vodka to 10 ml lime cordial, plus 5 ml each of lemon juice, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
How do you make a good Vodka Gimlet?
Shake the vodka, lime cordial, lemon juice, lime juice and sugar syrup hard with ice, fine-strain into a chilled coupe and express a lime twist over the top. Measure the 5 ml pours exactly; a few drops either way changes the drink.
Do people still drink Vodka Gimlets?
Yes. It remains a popular order, especially with drinkers who prefer vodka's neutral taste to gin's botanicals. It is a menu staple as a simple, citrus-forward alternative to the classic Gimlet.
