This Gin Gimlet recipe might just be the perfect cocktail! Made with Botanist Gin this gimlet drink is bright, tart and sweet - with a little surprise twist, the addition of cinnamon! I know, cinnamon - what-a-a-a-t?? But no worries, there is a rhyme and reason to this - promise!
Gin Gimlet Cocktail Ingredients:
- Botanist gin -or another less juniper-forward gin.
- fresh lime juice
- cinnamon syrup - again you can buy cinnamon syrup but making it is very easy and you can make as much as you need!
The basic gimlet recipe is made for riffing. Swap the lime juice for tangerine juice and you've got a Tangerine Gimlet. Sub vodka for gin and play with the sweetener and you've got a Vanilla Pear Vodka Gimlet. Which of course begs the question... what exactly is a gin gimlet?
Gin Gimlet FAQ's
Legend has it that the gimlet was invented in the late 18th century by Royal Navy sailors who mixed their daily ration of gin and lime together.
The term "gimlet" originally referred to a barrel boring device that accompanied lime juice casks that were sent to the British colonies.
According to the Savoy Cocktail Book (
Today, the classic gin gimlet is made with either gin and Rose's Lime Juice or gin, fresh lime juice
Yes, you definitely want to shake this cocktail! Stirring a gimlet won't result in a full blending of the ingredients.
So, if this is a "classic" gin gimlet, you might wonder WHY there is cinnamon in this classic gin drink. Good question!
It has to do with the gin I used.. The Botanist gin!
A bit about The Botanist Gin
A few months ago I went back to Scotland and visited Islay, where Botanist gin is made. So, of course, I had to take a tour!
During the tour, I learned about what makes Botanist gin different - it's the botanicals! Aside from the "traditional" botanicals used in gin, The Botanist uses 22 botanicals that are sourced on Islay.
If you aren't a fan of juniper forward gins, I highly recommend you give the Botanist gin a try. Citrus, mint and a little spice are the predominate flavors in this gin.
Which brings me to why there is cinnamon in this gin gimlet! One of the most common botanicals in gin is cassia bark, so adding a bit of cassia bark (sometimes referred to as Vietnamese cinnamon) or cinnamon to a cocktail makes sense. Especially since the Botanist doesn't have a heavy juniper flavor.
How to make this Gimlet drink:
- Make the cinnamon syrup: Combine the sugar, water, and cinnamon in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Let cool and then strain into a clean covered container. TIP: The syrup will last for about 10-14 days in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, add 1 teaspoon of vodka to the syrup.
- Add the gin, lime juice and cinnamon syrup to a shaker.
- Add ice.
- Shake for 30 - 45 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and a few gratings of cinnamon if you like.
That little bit of cinnamon rounded out the flavors and added a subtle warmth to this gin and lime juice drink, while keeping the essence of this classic cocktail.
Here are some other favorite gin cocktails!
- Gin and ginger ale cocktail
- Fresh Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
- Gin, Grapefruit and Elderflower Cocktail
- Lady in Violet
- Clover Club Cocktail
- Aperol Negroni
- French 75
If you liked this gin gimlet, I'd love for you to give it a 5 star rating!! Cheers! Nancy
Gin Gimlet Recipe:
The Botanist Gin Gimlet
Ingredients
Cinnamon syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ stick cassia bark
The Botanist Gin Gimlet
- 1 3/3 oz. Botanist gin
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. cinnamon syrup
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, water and cassia bark in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves - about 3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let cool for 30 minutes. Strain the syrup into a clean jar. If not using immediately, refrigerate.
To Make the Botanist gin gimlet
- Combine the gin, lime juice and syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Double strain into a cocktail glass. Serve.
Recipe Notes
- The syrup makes enough for 4 cocktails. Extra syrup is delicious drizzled over fruit salad or as a sweetener for coffee or iced tea!
- If storing the syrup, you can add a teaspoon of vodka to the syrup to extend it's shelf life. The syrup will last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Valentina says
I'm not normally a gin drinker, but I think the botanicals, and addition of the cinnamon are luring me right in. So pretty too!
Nancy says
Thanks Valentina - the Botanist is definitely not juniper forward so next time you see it on a cocktail menu give it a go!!!