The gimlet actually has a rather short history in print. The classic gimlet cocktail recipe the spruce eats. Weve established that the story of the gimlet begins in the 19th century. In his 1930 the savoy cocktail book, harry craddock lists both a gimlet cocktail and a gimblet.
All about gimlets straight up cocktails and spirits kitchn. King of the commandos, gimlet goes again, gimlet comes home, gimlet mops up, gimlets oriental quest a king of commandos adventure, gimlet lends a han. A gimlet is a refreshing classic cocktail, perfect for summer. Aug 14, 2009 a real gimlet is half gin and half roses lime juice and nothing else. Classically the gimlet is a simple 5050 mix of gin and lime cordial but the rise in vodkas popularity during the 1990s and early noughties saw vodka frequently used in place of gin to make a gimlet. Johns, best known as the creator of biggles and worrals. On the other side, this may be the year of the pop culture cocktail book, whether that takes shape as homage.
If you have a bottle of bubbly that has been open for a while and lost a bit of its fizz, dont worry. Gimlet is the awardwinning narrative podcasting company that aims to help listeners better understand the world and each other. Simple syrup and fresh lime juice make this an average drink. A gimlet is a handheld drill for boring holes, and would have likely been used on royal navy ships. The gimlet was already a well known cocktail at the time of gimelettes death but he seemingly never claimed a connection to it. The description in the 1953 raymond chandler novel the long goodbye stated that a real gimlet is half gin and half roses lime juice and nothing else. The gimlet cocktail is so versatile also because its various recipes featured in some of the most important cocktail books. The story of the gimlet began with the royal navy and the merchant shipping act of 1867, which required all of the royal navys ships to provide a daily lime ration to sailors to prevent scurvy. One of the shining gems among the classic cocktail set, the gimlet has long been appreciated as one of the best gin sours you will find. Shake up gin with fresh lime juice and simple syrup to make this classic cocktail. Stir vigorously with a long cocktail spoon until very cold. The result, carlin reveals, was the birth of a number of cocktail spinoffscocktail parties, cocktail dresses, cocktail wieners, cocktail napkins, and the molotov cocktail, to name just a few. In fact, at least one of my cocktail books says that if you dont use roses and instead use fresh lime juice, youre making a gin rickey instead.
The first known printed recipe for the drink, in harrys abc of mixing cocktails 1922, by harry macelhone, calls for equal parts gin and roses. Classically a 5050 mix of gin and lime cordial, some modern gimlet recipes tend to use lime juice for more of a fresh citric burst of flavour, while using less for a more balanced drink. In his 1930 the savoy cocktail book, harry craddock lists both a gimlet cocktail and a gimblet cocktail as follows. Army is a nickname granted to a military organization which. The recipe requires just two ingredients, your favorite gin and a lime cordial. The oldfashioned whiskey cocktail comes first among the books 1,500 recipes. Some people point to laughlin roses 1867 patent of roses lime cordial, a method to preserve, without alcohol, the vitamin c in a lime, as the reason for the gimlets advent. This recipe calls for fresh lime juice there are many references. So do as harry craddock directs in his 1930 savoy cocktail book and use some elbow grease to shake and invigorate this upper decks cocktail. Gimlet definition is a small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes. History the history of the gimlet is a special one. Drink recipe how to make the perfect gimlet esquire. Before the gimlet became popular in 1953 it is believed that it was served to the sailors in the british royal navy as a means of fighting scurvy.
The addition of gin was to lessen the sharp taste of the lime juice, and so the gimlet was born, named after the doctor, rearadmiral sir thomas. This is in line with the proportions suggested by the savoy cocktail book 1930, which specifies one half plymouth gin and one half roses lime juice cordial. The ten gimlet books and gimlet short story written by w. The gimlet rose to popularity after it was mentioned in the 1953 raymond chandler novel the long goodbye.
Arctic gimlet cocktail, inspired by larry bonds sixth jerry mitchell thriller, arctic gambit. Gimlet was founded in 2014 and is based in brooklyn, new york. Gimlet podcasts are downloaded millions of times per month by listeners all over the world. Eastside one word seems to be a more popular name and may predate that german gimlet. The gimlet is an easy cocktail to make at home with its effortless mix of gin and lime. This fall welcomes a bumper crop of booze books that may represent the most diverse range yet. Modern, drier palates have also caused the proportion of lime cordial used in a gimlet to dwindle. From the history of the cocktail to spirits production, assembling the right arsenal of tools, as well as, of course, over 100 recipes, including some originals from meehan himself, this books.
The name gimlet is derived from a sharp implement resulting in a term for someone with keen eyesight. The keynote in each of the adventures so far has been the journey sometimes the expedition, sometimes the raid. Harry macelhone prints the first recipe for the gimlet in his abcs of mixing cocktails 1922 as one half coates plymouth gin and one half roses lime cordial with the odd instructions to stir and serve in the same glass. First created to help prevent scurvy on english naval ships as officers werent taking their rations of lime for its vitamin c. History, such as americas prohibition laws, art movements, such as the art deco style of the 1920s and 1930s, and the great drinking holes of the world can all be found in cocktail books from the past. On one side of the spectrum, you have titles with heft and gravitas. Johns the ten gimlet books and gimlet short story written by w. The bartenders bible by gary regan lists the recipe as. Cocktails for the history books the new york times. Captain lorrington gimlet king is a character created by the british author w. The gimlet is actually a small hand drill that is used to drill holes in barrels to release what is inside. The story of the gimlet began with the royal navy and the merchant shipping act of 1867, which required all of the royal navys.
It can also be made with vodka and many versions also add fresh lime in addition to rose s. As gin has recently regained ground on vodka so it has reclaimed its rightful place in the gimlet. Oct 03, 2019 from the history of the cocktail to spirits production, assembling the right arsenal of tools, as well as, of course, over 100 recipes, including some originals from meehan himself, this books. If you think a traditional mojito is too sweet, this may well be the drink for you. The gimlet is a light green, limeheavy cocktail with a rich naval history and a sharp kick. Stir together and add a twist of lemon peel for added elegance.
Originally an english cocktail, the gimlet today has closer connotations to the hard boiled detectives and gangsters of raymond chandler novels. A collection of cocktail world figures lined up saturday at the manhattan cocktail classic, the annual new york drinks convention, to shoot down some sacred cows many a preprohibition libation has been glorified in recent years as the cocktail demimonde began to resurrect and lionize the drinks of days gone by. Concocted by a doctor, rather than a mixologist, the drink was made as a way to administer medicine to british navy officers back in the 19th century. The recipe is quite simple, but there are multiple schools of thought on how to. Dry gin, shake well and strain into medium size glass. Lime is the citrus of choice for the recipe and when that is paired with a great gin, the drink is sweet, tart, and refreshing. Aug 15, 2014 the gimlet is actually a small hand drill that is used to drill holes in barrels to release what is inside. Sep 12, 2012 this cocktail works with all types of champagne or sparkling wine. That work of piercing something is reflected in the phrase gimleteyed and this cocktail was also once made with the notion of being a short, sharp drink that was finished more like a shot. For much of the gimlets history, however, the cordial in question has. Gin gimlet cocktail recipe how to make a gin gimlet. In the novel the long goodbye, from 1953, lennox character states that a real gimlet is made with one part gin and one part roses lime juice. These nicknames are often derived from battles past or other significant events in the units history. A gimlet is a simple classic cocktail made from gin and lime juice, typically roses lime juice.
Noun 1 middle english, from anglofrench guimbelet, from middle french picard, modification of middle dutch wimmelkijn, from wimmel wimble. This recipe calls for fresh lime juice there are many references in cocktail books that call for roses. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the gin, lime juice and simple syrup. This cocktail works with all types of champagne or sparkling wine. The gimlet, on the other hand, is a much sweeter beverage that even a cocktail virgin will find delightful. For history and culture buffs, the gimlet cocktail is what raymond chandlers character, terry lennox, consumed.
And the influential savoy cocktail book, published eight years later, does the same. The carnaby gimlet was created in the carnaby club in italy and features the traditional recipe with the addition of sweet lime syrup and cold. This page contains information about the gimlet books written by captain w. Apr 03, 2020 gimlet thirdperson singular simple present gimlets, present participle gimleting or gimletting, simple past and past participle gimleted or gimletted to pierce or bore holes as if using a gimlet. See our gimlet cocktail page for more information on the history and variants of this drink.
In the ensuing years, the portion of roses asked for has lessened, but it was always there. Julie powell sipped this simple drink while working her way through a challenging year. Oct 12, 2007 apparently there is a scene in the movie the long goodbye where a statement is made about a gimlet only being made with roses, and since then this is a widely held belief. A real gimlet is half gin and half roses lime juice and nothing else. Great cocktail moments in famous literature fancy drinks like the gimlet and the brandy alexander have high class histories the ramos gin fizz gets its frothy top from several. The carnaby gimlet was created in the carnaby club in italy and features the traditional recipe with the addition of sweet lime syrup and cold still water. The gimlet is usually stirred but unless youve super strainedclarified your freshly squeezed citrus juice then even if stirred this cocktail wont be perfectly clear. Jun 19, 2019 gin gimlet cocktail recipe almost 100k. The history of the gimlet is also the history of the british navy. A classic cocktail, the gimlet is incredibly simple to mix up.
Gimlet cocktail from margarita to mixed vodka drinks. Gimlet cocktail history the main theory that seems to be excepted by mixologists is the gimlet cocktail was a drink that came about to fight scurvy in the british navy. Its origins arent the most glamorous scurvy has never been sexy but its long been adopted as a sipping drink by the cocktail drinking masses and is so very easy to make. Oct 03, 2015 first created to help prevent scurvy on english naval ships as officers werent taking their rations of lime for its vitamin c. Classic gin gimlet recipe geoffrey zakarian food network.
You may also strain the gimlet into a chilled cocktail glass and serve without additional ice. The gimlet pronounced with a hard g is a cocktail typically made of 2 parts gin and 1 part lime juice. Gimlet takes a job nowhere in any of the books does the force of gimlets personality come across more strongly. Gimlet, negroni, manhattan, long island ice tea, flirtini, hurricane, screwdrivercocktails have come a long way from their first incarnation in the seventeenth century, when rum punch was everyones goto drink. Jun 20, 2014 the gimlet, on the other hand, is a much sweeter beverage that even a cocktail virgin will find delightful. Classically the gimlet is a simple 5050 mix of gin and lime. King of the commandos, gimlet goes again, gimlet comes home, gimlet mops up, gimlet s oriental quest a king of commandos adventure, gimlet lends a han. A global history is a book to peruse with a mimosa in the morning and a martini at night. How to make a gimlet cocktail recipe steve the bartender. The history of the gimlet cocktail is hazy, as if told by. Its origins arent the most glamorous scurvy has never been sexy but its long been adopted as a sipping drink by the cocktail drinking masses and is so very easy to make this is one for summer sipping, so grab a bottle of lime cordial or make your own. Rather than it being mostly gin with a hint of vermouth, the gimlet is equal parts gin and roses lime juice, making it the perfect choice for a warm summer night. A history of gin and roses, from the british navy to.
Strain, dividing between two cold martini glasses or two icefilled highball glassesyour preference as to whether youd like your gimlet straight up or on the rocks. Gatsby cocktail recipes in pictures food the guardian. Apparently there is a scene in the movie the long goodbye where a statement is made about a gimlet only being made with roses, and since then this is a widely held belief. Jul 27, 2017 originally an english cocktail, the gimlet today has closer connotations to the hard boiled detectives and gangsters of raymond chandler novels. Most people have heard a bit of the myth, so heres a quick summary. The language of drinking in style and fine company is universal. Our preferred gimlet recipe is by charles schumann. The gimlet has one of the more interesting stories concerning its creation, although it is now enjoyed for pleasure rather than necessity. History royal gimlet clan and gimlet stick duty 21st infantry regiment, gimlet every unit in the united states army has a nickname. Johns is thought to have been inspired by major gimlet champion, one of his commanding officers during his flying career. It really is a cocktail you can easily fall in love with. Gimlet king by w e johns collecting books and magazines. This cocktail is very similar to a mojito, just without the sugar syrup.
This is one for summer sipping, so grab a bottle of lime cordial. See how to make a gimlet cocktail with vodka or gin. Nov 24, 2017 the gimlet cocktail features in the savoy cocktail book 1930 by henry craddock as half gin, half lime juice, stirred and served in same glass, can be iced if desired. The gimlet is a classic cocktail made with lime juice and gin. The gimlet cocktail is fun, but you have to put in a bit of work to make your own lime cordial, otherwise youre just a fool drinking a gin rickey. How to make a gimlet cocktail drink recipe, mocktail and. About gimlet gimlet media is the awardwinning narrative podcasting company that aims to help listeners better understand the world and each other. One school of thought is that surgeon rearadmiral sir thomas gimlette hence the cocktails name use to recommend this drink to his shipmates as an antiscurvy medication. And the influential savoy cocktail book, published eight years later. The long goodbye by raymond chandler 1953 states a real gimlet is half gin and half roses lime juice and nothing else. The main character, philip marlowe, said, a real gimlet is half gin and half roses lime juice and nothing else.