Gimlet
recommended by Rachelle Wilson
I cannot deny it, a gin fizz is my favorite cocktail. But a gin fizz takes ten minutes to make. A gin fizz should only be ordered in a place known for craft cocktails. A gin fizz requires patience and skill to make. In other words, a gin fizz demands gifts I do not possess. Having little to no propensity for bartending—and certainly not for creating a drink as complex as this, I leave the gin fizz to the professionals. And perhaps my love of the gin fizz is in part created by the rarity and specialness of the occasion to delight in one.
And so I have been forced to find a cocktail for all occasions. One that can be ordered at any bar or made at home. One that celebrates my beloved gin and is near impossible to mess up—because I tend to mess things up. As the title above suggests, the gin gimlet is that drink. In many ways, the gimlet is the exact opposite of the gin fizz. The gimlet is simple, contains two to three ingredients, and takes less than 3 minutes to make. Perfect for the likes of me! If I can make it, anyone can.
Gin Gimlet:
2 oz gin
3/4 oz lime juice
3/4 oz simple syrup (optional)
Fill a mixing vessel with ice and pour in the gin, lime juice and simple syrup. Stir vigorously with a long cocktail spoon until very cold. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a slice of lime (or even something like cucumber, sage, or rosemary if you want to get a little wild) and serve immediately.
*If ever you order it and the bartender isn’t familiar, you can just say two parts gin, one part lime juice, and a little simple syrup. It’s that user-friendly!
What I primarily love about this cocktail is that, since it is mostly gin, it adopts the flavor of that spirit. It tastes like a different cocktail each time I try it with a different gin. That being said, the key to the success of this drink is using a gin you love. If you don’t enjoy the gin you are working with, you will not enjoy this drink.
So while you embark on your mission to find your favorite gin, use the gimlet as your guide.
Rachelle Wilson is a proud Maconite, writer, guitarist and singer-songwriter. She currently writes for Macon Magazine, works with two local nonprofits that promote housing and transportation access for low-income, elderly and disabled, as well as performs and writes under The Southern Siren umbrella. Though she finds herself wearing many hats, writing about what she loves over a cup of hot tea will always be her preferred way to pass the time.