What does a gimlet taste like?
A gimlet tastes crisp, limey and lightly sweet: gin and lime shaken cold, so it is like a sharp, piney limeade with a strong gin kick.
Gimlet
gin and lime, ice cold
A gimlet is gin and lime, served up or on the rocks. The old-school version uses sweetened lime cordial (think Rose's), which makes it sweeter and almost candy-like. Most bars now use fresh lime juice and simple syrup, which tastes brighter and cleaner, like a gin daiquiri. Either way, the lime leads, then the gin's pine and herbs come through and keep it from tasting like juice. It's simple, cold and refreshing, and a good test of whether you like gin.
Where you’ll see it
On classic cocktail lists, served up in a coupe or on the rocks with a lime wheel. Vodka gimlets are common, and you'll see riffs with cucumber, basil or elderflower.
Order it if you like gin and want something tart, cold and simple.
Quick questions
- Is a gimlet sweet?
- A little. Fresh-lime versions are balanced and tangy. Versions made with lime cordial are noticeably sweeter.
- What's the difference between a gimlet and a martini?
- A gimlet has lime and sugar, so it tastes tart and bright. A martini has dry vermouth, so it is drier, stronger and not citrusy.