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{tart,citrus,refreshing,clean}

Virgin Gimlet

Fresh lime, sweetener, and soda — the Gimlet's flavor depending almost entirely on lime rather than spirit, from 19th-century Royal Navy anti-scurvy rations.

non-alcoholicEasy0
MethodShakeGlassCoupeIcenoneGarnishlime wheel
Recipe
Serves1
Ingredients
  • 2 ozlime cordial(or 1.5 oz fresh lime + 0.5 oz simple syrup)
  • 2 ozsparkling water
  • lime wheelgarnish
Instructions
  1. 1Combine lime cordial with ice in shaker
  2. 2Shake briefly to chill
  3. 3Strain into chilled coupe
  4. 4Top with splash of sparkling water
  5. 5Garnish with lime wheel
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History & Origin

The Virgin Gimlet is a non-alcoholic version of the classic Gimlet — whose origins lie in the 19th-century British Royal Navy's practice of mixing gin with Rose's lime juice cordial to prevent scurvy among sailors on tropical voyages, with the name sometimes attributed to Surgeon General Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette. The Gimlet's flavor depends almost entirely on the lime juice and sweetener rather than the spirit, making it one of the most naturally non-alcoholic-adaptable cocktails in the classic canon. Fresh lime juice, a touch of simple syrup or agave, and soda water recreate the Gimlet's clean, tart, citrus-forward character without vodka or gin. The Virgin Gimlet benefits from high-quality lime juice and natural sweetener: the simplicity of the recipe means there is nowhere for inferior ingredients to hide, rewarding bartenders who use fresh citrus.

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Reviewed & Verified byGayle PerreaultBar & Service Manager · 25+ Years Industry Experience · About Us

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{tart,citrus,refreshing,clean}Shake