Like several iconic cocktails such as the gin & tonic or the spritz, the gimlet has military origins. It was first drunk by British officers back in the 19th century when scurvy was one of the most common illnesses on board a ship. As the benefits of citrus became broadly known, sailors were administered a daily ration of lime juice as anti-scurvy medication. Legend has it that naval doctor, Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette, often cited as the namesake of the gimlet, mixed gin with lime in order to mask the bitter taste and help the "medicine" go down. Another origin story is that the drink was named after a small tool used to tap the barrels of spirits on British navy ships, a "gimlet".
In the recipes we're sharing with you, we're replacing gin with vodka.
Gimlet Recipes
Shiso
Beetroot
Rosemary
Shiso
Belvedere Shiso Gimlet
60 mL Belvedere Vodka
22 mL fresh lime juice
22 mL simple syrup
Garnish: fresh shiso leaves
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Shake and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with fresh shiso leaves.
Beetroot
Belvedere Beetroot Gimlet
50mL Belvedere Vodka
22 mL Beetroot cordial*
*Beetroot cordial: Equal parts beetroot juice and caster sugar. Add 5mL of citric acid solution (5g to 50 mL water) to 20 mL syrup.
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a small orange twist.
Rosemary
Belvedere Rosemary Gimlet
50 mL Belvedere Citrus Vodka
22 mL fresh lime juice
15 mL oz simple syrup
Ice cubes
Garnish: sprig of fresh rosemary
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker and fill with ice.
