Best Gimlet Cocktail Recipe 18+

A Timeless Classic with an Australian Twist. The Best Gimlet Cocktail Recipe.

Welcome to Shake, Sip, Serve, your one-stop shop for all things bartending.

I’m your host, KAD, and I’ve been slinging drinks and navigating the world of hospitality for over two decades. I’ve perfected my bartending skills, experimented with countless flavor combinations, and learning a thing or two about how to keep the party going behind the bar.

Whether you’re a seasoned bartender like me just looking for some fresh inspiration or a complete beginner who is eager to whip up impressive cocktails at home, Shake, Sip, Serve is here to be your guide. In the below blog, I’ll be sharing my knowledge and experience on everything from classic cocktails and innovative new creations to essential bartending techniques and industry secrets.

I’ll also be offering tips on stocking your home bar, mastering the art of presentation, and creating a memorable experience for your guests. So, grab your shaker, dust off your favorite glassware, and get ready to embark on a delicious journey into the world of bartending!

Let’s Shake, Sip, and Serve up something amazing together.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Introduction: Why the Gimlet Still Matters

The cocktail world is vast and colourful, but few drinks carry as much understated charm as the Gimlet. With its crisp balance of gin and lime, it’s a cocktail that has survived centuries of shifting drinking cultures — from 19th-century naval medicine to today’s modern craft cocktail bars.

Here in Australia, the Gimlet is experiencing a revival thanks to our love for native ingredients, low-ABV trends, and a growing respect for RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) laws. In this blog, we’ll explore:

The fascinating history of the Gimlet.
Its evolution from cure to cocktail classic.
The role of gin and lime (fresh vs cordial).
Modern variations, including an Australian Gimlet with native flavours.
How to keep your Gimlet RSA-friendly in both home and bar settings.
Food pairing ideas with Australian cuisine.

The Origins of the Gimlet: From Medicine to Mixology

The Gimlet’s story begins at sea. In the 1700s and 1800s, sailors were plagued by scurvy, a debilitating vitamin C deficiency. British naval surgeon James Lind discovered that citrus fruits could prevent the illness, and the Admiralty soon began issuing daily lime rations to sailors.

But lime juice didn’t keep well — so it was preserved in alcohol. Mixing lime cordial with rum or gin created a tangy, drinkable solution, and thus the early version of the Gimlet was born. The name itself is thought to come from the “gimlet tool” used to bore holes in barrels, reflecting the drink’s sharp, piercing flavour.

By the early 1900s, the Gimlet had moved from practical cure to cocktail culture, immortalised in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book (1928) and Raymond Chandler’s noir novel The Long Goodbye (1953).

Classic Gimlet Recipe: Simplicity Perfected

The traditional Gimlet couldn’t be more straightforward:

60 ml London Dry gin
30 ml lime juice (fresh or cordial)
Optional: 10–15 ml simple syrup (if using fresh lime)

Shake with ice, strain into a chilled coupe glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.

That’s it. Two ingredients, balanced perfectly.

But the details matter:

Gin choice defines whether your Gimlet is sharp, floral, or citrus-forward.
Lime juice can be bottled (Rose’s Lime Cordial for a sweeter, vintage style) or fresh (modern preference).

Fresh Lime vs Lime Cordial: The Ongoing Debate

Rose’s Lime Cordial has history — it was created in 1867 and gave the Gimlet its identity. It’s sweeter, more shelf-stable, and less tart.
Fresh lime juice, on the other hand, has become the standard in today’s cocktail bars. It’s brighter, fresher, and allows for sweetness to be tailored with simple syrup.

In Australia, where fresh limes are readily available, the trend leans heavily toward fresh juice, in line with broader moves toward natural ingredients and lighter cocktails.

Modern Variations of the Gimlet

Vodka Gimlet – Swaps gin for vodka for a cleaner, neutral base.
Southside Gimlet – Adds fresh mint, giving a refreshing, mojito-like lift.
Gimlet Royale – Topped with sparkling wine for celebratory fizz.
Low-ABV Gimlet – Part of the mindful drinking trend; swap gin for a light vermouth or non-alcoholic spirit to keep it RSA-friendly.

The Australian Gimlet: Native Flavours, Local Spirit

Here’s where things get exciting — Australia’s bartenders are reinventing classics with native botanicals.

Australian Gimlet Recipe

Ingredients:

60 ml Australian gin (try Four Pillars, Archie Rose, or Manly Spirits)
30 ml fresh lime juice
15 ml finger lime syrup (recipe below)
4–5 drops Australian native bitters (lemon myrtle or wattleseed)
Ice
Finger lime pearls or lime wheel, for garnish

Finger Lime Syrup:

4 finger limes
100 g sugar
100 ml water

Combine sugar and water, simmer until dissolved. Add finger lime pearls, simmer 5–10 minutes, strain and cool. Keeps up to two weeks in the fridge.

Method:

Add gin, lime juice, syrup, and bitters to a shaker with ice.
Shake vigorously until chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass.
Garnish with finger lime pearls for a sparkling finish.

RSA & Standard Drinks: Serving Responsibly in Australia

Under Australian RSA laws, it’s essential to know how many standard drinks are in your cocktail.

60 ml of gin at 40% ABV = ~1.9 standard drinks.
Adding lime juice and syrup doesn’t change the alcohol content.

Always serve responsibly:

Stick to standard pours (30 ml nips when mixing at bars).
Offer low-ABV or alcohol-free Gimlet alternatives.
Remind readers/customers that moderation is part of the cocktail experience.

Food Pairings with an Australian Gimlet

Seafood platter (oysters, prawns, barramundi) – citrus notes cut through briny flavours.
Grilled lamb or kangaroo – botanicals balance the richness.
Native-flavoured dishes (lemon myrtle chicken, wattleseed damper) – echoes the bitters used in the drink.

The Gimlet in 2025: Trends & Culture

Today’s bartending trends are shaping the Gimlet’s comeback:

Low-ABV cocktails and no-alcohol spirits keep it inclusive.
Native Australian ingredients highlight terroir and sustainability.
Eco-friendly garnishes (edible, dehydrated, or compostable) replace single-use waste.
Pre-batched Gimlets in cans are emerging in Australia’s RTD market, bridging convenience with quality.

The Gimlet is no longer just a naval relic — it’s a canvas for creativity in modern bars.

Quick FAQs: The Gimlet at a Glance

Q: Can I make a Gimlet with vodka?
Yes — the Vodka Gimlet is a popular modern twist.

Q: What’s the difference between using Rose’s Lime vs fresh lime?
Rose’s is sweeter and less tart; fresh lime is brighter and fresher.

Q: How many standard drinks in one Gimlet?
About 1.9 (based on 60 ml of 40% gin). Always drink responsibly.

Q: What’s an Australian twist on the Gimlet?
Use native botanicals, finger limes, and local bitters.

Conclusion: Why the Gimlet Endures

From its medicinal beginnings to its place in today’s cocktail renaissance, the Gimlet is timeless. Its simplicity makes it approachable, while its adaptability makes it endlessly exciting. Whether you prefer it classic, sparkling, or infused with Australian native ingredients, the Gimlet proves that sometimes the best cocktails are the simplest.

So next time you shake one up, enjoy it responsibly — and maybe give the Australian Gimlet a try to experience how local botanicals can breathe new life into a global classic.

The bartending community is a vibrant and supportive one, and I’m excited to build that community here on Shake, Sip, Serve.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and experiences in the comments below.
What are you shaking up these days?
What topics would you like to see covered in future posts?
Let’s connect and continue the conversation!

Liquor & Gaming NSW: This website provides information on liquor licensing, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training, and regulations for serving alcohol in NSW. It’s essential for anyone working in the hospitality industry in NSW. You can find it here: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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