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Vodka Gimlet Recipe

This Classic Vodka Gimlet Cocktail is a drink recipe from scratch that can be served shaken or on the rocks with fresh lime and simple syrup. With only 139 calories you will want to add this clean drink to your rotation! 

vodka gimlet cocktail in a glass garnished with a fresh lime
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I like to serve this drink straight up! Feel free to serve it on the rocks if you prefer.

What is a Gimlet? What’s in the Drink?

Why is it called a gimlet? Historically, a gimlet was referred to as a drink that required 2 parts gin and one part lime juice. A film in the ’50s stated that the drink is half gin and half Rose’s Lime juice and nothing else.

Somewhere along the way vodka fans, like myself, came in and wanted a piece of the action, and thus a similar drink came about.

What Type of Vodka to Use

I typically use Kettle One or Tito’s vodka. This is a smooth drink, so you should use whatever you consider smooth vodka.

How to Make a Vodka Gimlet

  1. If you would like to serve the cocktail chilled, grab a cocktail shaker, vodka, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
  2. Pour the drink into a glass. 
  3. Serve over ice if preferred.
simple syrup, vodka, and fresh limes on a flat surface

What’s in Rose’s Lime Juice?

You may see gimlet recipes that call for this juice. It’s a sweetened juice from concentrate that is often used in mixed drinks. It’s made with artificial flavors. The ingredients are water, high fructose corn syrup, lime juice concentrate, sodium metabisulfite, natural flavors, and Blue 1.

Sodium metabisulfite is a food preservative used in potato preparation, cherry brining, and corn syrup manufacturing.

Blue 1 is a dye and coloring for processed foods.

In my opinion, you are better off using the juice from real, fresh limes. You can use the same amount of the sweetened lime juice if you wish.

How to Make Simple Syrup

This recipe calls for simple syrup, which is one part sugar or sweetener and one part water. I like to use this zero carb, zero-calorie organic monkfruit simple syrup , it also keeps the drink skinny.

You make syrup by heating it in a saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. The mixture will look cloudy, as you continue to stir it will turn clear signaling it has finished.

For one cocktail, you would only need 1/2 tablespoon of sweetener and 1/2 tablespoon of water. In general, it makes sense to make your own simple syrup when making large batches.

vodka gimlet cocktail in a glass garnished with a fresh lime

How Many Calories

The cocktail has 139 calories using zero carb, zero-calorie organic monkfruit simple syrup. If you use refined sugar it will have 188 calories.

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Vodka Gimlet Recipe

This Classic Vodka Gimlet Cocktail is a drink recipe from scratch that can be served shaken or on the rocks with fresh lime and simple syrup. With only 139 calories you will want to add this clean drink to your rotation! 
Save this recipe here.
Course cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword classic vodka gimlet, vodka gimlet, vodka gimlet from scratch
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 139kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice (1 tablespoon)
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup (1 tablespoon)
  • ice

Instructions

Video

Notes

In my opinion, you are better off using the juice from real, fresh limes. You can use the same amount of the sweetened lime juice if you wish.
Modify the recipe to fit your taste. This isn’t an overly sweet cocktail. Add additional sweetener or simple syrup if you wish. Add additional vodka if you prefer a stronger drink.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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