In honor of #WorldGinDay Master Your Glass has partnered with Nikka Gin to bring you this Masterclass on the iconic Gimlet cocktail with 3 different versions!
The gimlet is a cocktail made of gin and Rose’s lime juice. It was created as medicine by a doctor (and Rear-Admiral) Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette back in the 19th Century, at a time when scurvy was abundant on ships amongst British Officers.
The combination of gin and citrus juice was thought to be a reliable cure and a clever way to administer “medicine”. Scurvy is a vitamin C deficiency characterized by fatigue, anemia bruising, bleeding, teeth loss, and much more.
Citrus juice provided the vitamin C to help those at the point of collapse get back on track on track in a reasonably short period of time. The addition of gin was to preserve the lime juice and lessen its sharp taste of it.
``Two versions of the Gimlet from 1930``
A 1928 description of the drink was: gin and a spot of lime. In Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail book there are two recipes, one containing fresh lime juice (Gimblet) and the other with Rose’s Lime Cordial.
A description in the 1953 Raymond Chandler novel The Long Goodbye stated that “a real gimlet is half gin and half Rose’s lime juice and nothing else.”
While the Gimlet was good for the officers, the sailors themselves only had access to rum, and so this was used in place of gin. This blend was known as Grog and was a very popular beverage aboard the boats. The Grog recipe was very similar to a Daquiri and is often considered a precursor to the classic Daiquiri.
Although the modern-day version of the Gimlet tends to make use of whatever lime juice the bartender has available, Rose’s Lime Cordial is the original Gimlet ingredient, since it was the only available cordial for the sailors at that time.
Rose’s was the first fruit cordial ever produced in 1867. It was patented just before a law was passed that stated all water vessels should carry it as an anti-scurvy precaution, and served as a daily ration. Lucky timing for its creator Mr. Lauchlan Rose!
Below are three cocktail versions as seen on our latest YouTube video:
Classic Gimlet
(Cocktail Version 1)
2 oz. (60ml.) Nikka Gin
2 oz. (60ml.) Rose’s Lime Cordial
Method (Shake and Strain): Add the above ingredients with ice into a Shaker. Shake gently for roughly 10 seconds and strain into the chilled Cocktail Glass.
Garnish: Thin lime wheel float
Gimblet
(Cocktail Version 2)
2 oz. (60ml.) Nikka Gin
1 oz. (30ml.) Fresh lime juice
.5 oz. (15ml) Liquid Alchemist Simple Syrup
Method (Shake and Strain): Add the above ingredients with ice into a Shaker. Shake gently for roughly 10 seconds and strain into the chilled Cocktail Glass.
Garnish: Thin lime wheel float
Gimlet
(Cocktail Version 3)
2 oz. (60ml.) Nikka Gin
2 oz. (60ml.) Homemade Lime Cordial (See recipe below)
Method (Shake and Strain): Add the above ingredients with ice into a Shaker. Shake gently for roughly 10 seconds and strain into the chilled Cocktail Glass.
Garnish: Thin lime wheel float
About Nikka Coffey Gin: 47% ABV
Nikka Coffey Gin’s complexity is achieved by balancing 11 selected botanicals and the silky texture of Coffey distillates (made with a Coffey Alambic).
The bright and zesty aroma originating from four kinds of Japanese citruses, Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu, and Shequasar, compliments the traditional gin botanicals of juniper berries, angelica, coriander seeds, lemon, and orange peels.
There is also a touch of apple, a fruit deeply related to the history of Nikka, followed by tangy hints of green Japanese Sansho pepper on the finish.
A perfect Gin for all Gimlet cocktails!
Homemade Lime Cordial (Yields 9 fl. oz.)
The ingredients below are all measured as volume – not weight. No scale is needed, just a measuring cup.
7 oz. Liquid Alchemist Simple syrup
2 oz. Citric Acid
3 oz. Freshly grated Lime zest
3 oz. Fresh Lime juice
Blend for 30 Seconds and Fine-Strain into a bottle.
