Vodka Gimlet

  Posted on August 12, 2009  by Leslie Blythe  12 comments

Vodka Gimlet

2 oz vodka
2 Tbs Rose’s lime juice
Ice
Shake and strain.
Garnish with Lime wedge

The Gimlet, along with the Martini and Manhattan, make up the holy trinity of classic “straight up” cocktails—a tippler’s trifecta.  Okay, you could add in the Sidecar and Pegu Club, but that is for another post.

Originally, the Gimlet was a gin drink—the mixologist’s bible, The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), lists two Gimlet recipes, both with gin.  Julia Child was a fan.  Paul Child added a measure of green creme de menthe to his beloved Gin Gimlet to make something he called The Buddha’s Eye (Julia recommends it as a prelude to a lamb dinner….).

With vodka’s rise in popularity in the 40s and 50s, the Gimlet became the perfect vehicle for this clean, taste free liquor—a match made in heaven.  With the move from gin (essentially British gin and lime combination) this drink becomes less about “Mad dogs and Englishmen” and more about Madmen and the man in the gray flannel suit.  Clean and refreshing, the Vodka Gimlet is a great summer drink that allows you to channel your inner Julia Child.