The Perfect Vodka Gimlet - With Grey Goose, Of Course
Posted by dave
It has come to the attention of my ever watching eye that this website gets hit quite often looking for information on the veritable Vodka Gimlet. I posted about my love for said drink in some post somewhere, and Google has picked it up and sent many a budding Gimlet connoisseur my way.
So I have, in my wisdom, decided it wise to share with you the perfect Vodka Gimlet recipe - from ingredients to the way to pre-treat the glass. Those in the know already know that a Vodka Gimlet is one of the easiest recipes to make. It requires very little skill and is big on taste. But there are things that can be done to make it even perfect-er, and here is Dave’s way of making the perfect Vodka Gimlet.
The reason I’m such a Gimlet fan is because while I like certain drinks and flavorful martinis, I’m not a huge fan of hard alcohol. I quite more often find myself dancing with a glass of wine or beer - I’ve enjoyed enough beer in my life to get a small nation toasted.
So drinking hard alcohol not being on my personal top 10 list of exciting and fun ways to spend my time (my brother will one day disown me for not appreciating a good scotch) I’m relatively picky about what mixed drinks or martinis I actually do ingest.
But sometimes a drink comes along that wakes up the taste buds to a new experience. Such was the deal when Sean’s wife first introduced my (breathtaking) girlfriend and I to a Vodka Gimlet one evening while we were visiting them. I was immediately hooked - as was the girlfriend.
It’s an easy drink to make. The basics are 1.5 oz of vodka to 1 oz of lime juice, mix, and serve. But a good Gimlet is so much more. Here’s the way to make yourself a perfect Gimlet (like the one I’m enjoying right now).
Step 1 - Select a Vodka
Now, if you want me to go ahead and make life easy on you, here we go - use Grey Goose. For me, the perfect Gimlet is far from site when any vodka other than Grey Goose is employed. Certainly I can enjoy a Gimlet with Level or Van Gogh or Stoli or even Absolut if… you know… Absolut-ly necessary… (rim shot). But not being a vodka connoisseur myself, I can tell you that I don’t like a vodka with a bite - and Grey Goose is about as smooth as they come.
I’ll leave the final decision to you. After all, the vodka is half of the ingredients, so you’d better enjoy it. But trust me - if the vodka you’re using was less than $20 for 750 ml - you’re probably being cheated out of good taste.
One final - IMPORTANT - note. Do not put the vodka in the refrigerator. In order for this recipe to work, the vodka must be at room temperature.
Step 2 - Select a Lime Juice
No - any lime juice will NOT do. There is only one lime juice you may use and if you don’t use it, you’re out of the family. Roses West India Sweetened Lime Juice is the shiznit, and you really shouldn’t use anything else. It’s sweetened to give it a - hmm… sweet taste - but is concentrated enough to still enjoy the lime impact.
Step 3 - Grab a lime.
That’s it. Get a lime.
Makin Time
Now it’s time to actually make the drink. Again, lets review. You should have the following three ingredients:
- Grey Goose Vodka (or other appropriately high end spirit of the potato variety)
- Roses West India Sweetened Lime Juice
- Lime
Good. Now, the steps in which you actually do this are important. Here they are:
- Grab your shaker and fill it 2/3 of the way high with cubed ice. Crushed is not great for this drink. Put the shaker aside.
- Grab a measuring cup. Put 1.5 oz of vodka in for every 1 oz of Roses lime juice you use. A hint for more flavor is to really bring the ratio closer to 1:1, but we’re going to use the real lime to add a nice cap to the drink, so the 1.5:1 ratio is acceptable. Make sure the vodka is room temperature. The lime juice may be cold for preservation reasons.
- Pour both the vodka and Roses lime juice directly into the measuring cup. Put the cup aside.
- Cut your lime into quarters. One quarter will be used for each drink. If you’re short on limes, you can cut it in to eighths, but I do recommend quarters. By cutting up the limes in this step, you’re giving the ice time to cool the shaker.
- Grab the shaker and empty any water that has gathered at the bottom from the ice melting. Now place the vodka/lime juice mix into the shaker. Cap the shaker and shake it good - for at least 15-20 seconds. This will allow the room temperature vodka to quickly pick up the cold of the ice, while melting the ice a little to help pick up some water. You want some water. Place the shaker aside and allow it to sit for a few seconds while you do the next step.
- Take the lime quarter, and push it on to the rim of the glass. Move the lime all the way around the rim of the glass while squeezing slightly, so the entire rim of the glass gets some fresh lime juice on it.
- Give the vodka/lime juice mix one last shake to mix it up, and pour into the glass/glasses. The glass should become ice cold to the touch after no more than 30 seconds.
- Finally, take the lime quarter off of the rim of the glass, and squeeze the rest of the juice out into the Gimlet and drop the lime wedge in to the drink. Don’t stir.
- Enjoy!
Making a Good Drink is Never Quick
There you have it - the perfect Vodka Gimlet. It should not be a two second exercise to make a good Gimlet. Rather, take your time. Let the vodka soak up the cold of the ice. Make sure you get the lime all the way around the rim of the glass.
Why is this so good??
When your lips first touch the glass, you’re immediately introduced to the tart of the fresh lime juice, almost unexpectedly. When the Gimlet touches your lips, the cold that you’re feeling in the hand holding the drink wakes up your senses. A sip of the drink attacks your mouth with sweet and tart at the same time (this is MY kind of sweet-tart!) and is cold and refreshing. Yet when you swallow, the Gimlet leaves a familiar, welcoming warm in your chest.
That’s good drinking my friends. Good indeed.
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Wal-Mart and Appletinis - Liberal Values -
[…] If drinking vodka straight the only acceptable alternatives are likely to be equally expensive, which likely isn’t the goal of the person searching. When I checked on this Google search myself, the first site to come up was a post elsewhere saying, “The Perfect Vodka Gimlet - With Grey Goose, Of Course.” […]
Hey dude - you should try 42 Below Vodka. If you like smooth, 42Below is the shiznit to end all shiznits. I recommend the Feijoa of all the flavours, but start out with unflavoured, it will delight you in a Gimlet. http://www.42below.com lets you find stockists in your area.
Awesome! As it turns out there is actually a location within reach that sells the stuff. I’m out to buy a bottle!
You should really try Ikon True Russian Vodka which is smoother than most super premiums @ half the price. And, Ikon Vodka has tons of awards too!
Hmm… a URL to Ikon’s website… could you be a shill? Just kidding - I’ll definately give it a try. Thanks!
Try using Tanqueray Gin instead of Vodka, with a 3:1 Gin to lime ratio - another glorious drink.
Yes! Vodka is the smoothest I’ve ever tasted. Gave it a shake over ice - no burn. I think it’s new so it may not be available everywhere. Really good stuff.
http://www.yesimportedvodka.com
Guy’s - the real deal on a Vodka Gimlet and how good it’s going be savored depends solely on the bar maid making the drink - if her smile or her laughter or her I like people personality isn’t there then neither will the taste no matter what you do to this great drink
I usually drink gin gimlets, but am out of gin and happen to have a bottle of Grey Goose on hand. So far, so good. But I can’t believe a bottled lime juice could make anywhere near a perfect gimlet, gin or vodka. I thought everyone knew that really good margaritas and gimlets are only possible using fresh lime juice. Or is this an arguable point?
Spike - Rose’s is good because it’s sweetened. I personally like the flavor of Rose’s along with the vodka, and it’s easily found in any liquor store. Further, squeezing enough lime juice would require several limes - and too much time. I’m trying to get to drinkin ;)
However, if you do use freshly squeezed lime juice, be sure to have some powdered sugar on hand. Granular won’t mix in as well (since the liquid is cold) and the drink will be much too tart without some sugar.
I make a sugar syrup for sweetening, which I got from Joy of Cooking: 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. If granulated is used, it must be heated and then cooled. If powdered, it can just be mixed with the water.
I know what you mean about using the limes, but ever since I got a DeLonghi food processor with a citrus squeezer attachment, it’s as easy as can be and a good incentive to keep fresh limes on hand. But I do run out sometimes, so thanks for the tip on Rosie’s. I’ll keep some on hand for those desperate limeless times.
Aren’t gimlets the greatest? (Next to a bottle of full-bodied, dry, smooth red wine, that is)
By the way, have you tried (and can you pronounce on) the other two vodkas recommended here: 42 Below and Ikon?
Am drinking one right now…used Absolut vodka (it’s probably absolut.com), but find that it has a slight bite/sharpness and I agree that it would be better suited to a toned down vodka like Goose. Might try Roses only with no fresh lime next time since I like it a bit sweeter.
Kudos for the recipe…
Exactly what I was looking for!!! I usually go out for Grey Goose Gimlets with Rose’s Lime Juice, shaken hard and pured into a iced chilled martini glass with the fresh lime. The shiznit for shizzle. But tonight, I came home from the store with all these ingredients except the recipe.
Thanks :)
Time to make the Gimlet.
Suzanne
Spike - not yet… I live in Philadelphia, and all the liquor here - save beer - is state run, so the selection leaves much to be desired. Gotta take a trip to NJ soon…
David - thanks! I’ve left out (read: not had) fresh limes and the drink is still wonderful and simple…
Suzanne - chilling the glass - something I should have thought of! Brilliant! Glad you liked the recipie (and hopefully, how it all turned out :) )
You are RIGHT ON with this recipe!! Grey Goose is one of a kind and I AM a vodka coinsure…
This is my drink choice for classy parties. It’ll go well, later on, with those couple of Patron shots after everyone loosens up! =)
There are other Vodkas I suggest (of course they aren’t Grey Goose. But, I like them nonetheless).
Ciroc Vodka, Three Olives Vodka and Kettle One Vodka just to name a few…
*Maia*
Gimlets, you have have to love them. I use to be a fan of Grey Goose, but recently on a cruise found Kettle One for nearly half the cost of the Goose, so I grabbed some. Got home loved it more….in home town the price is the same but the Kettle shines to me.
Hi there ! Hey all you guys… totally missing the boat. Forget about it! I just tasted the best vodka in the world. Seriously! It is called “Perfect 1864″, from France made out of wheat. Unbelieveable! Super smooth and subtle! You should try it. almost like water if you try it warm. Once you try it all other vodkas will taste like gasoline. If you go to their website http://www.perfect1864.com you’ll even find awesome recipes.
Take care :.)
Gals and Guys,
Didn’t you see the spot on TV where all the primo vodkas were tested by self proclaimed “vodka snobs” and Smirnoff won???
If you make a mixed drink, the other flavors will overpower the taste of alcohol (in this case vodka), coupled with the fact that unflavored vodka does not have much of a flavor to begin with…
PS - I am a chemist that has a very high sensory level, plus I work in the flavor industry : ) TRUST ME Smirnoff is just fine to use when making a gimlet!
Cheers!
the green room in burlington vt makes GREAT blueberry gimlets. yum
gordon
I use Ketel One which is beside my point. The ratio from Vodka to lime juice is over the top. Why would one want so much lime? My girlfriend who would never order a vodka gimlet thinks my 2 to 1 ratio is too tart. And understanding her virgin taste buds…I think I agree. Hence, you admitting you’re not “a huge fan of hard alcohol.”
I would suggest 2.5:.1
I won’t argue against Grey Goose, however your ratio is…?
My ratio is 1.5:1.
However, it seems that we’re crossing wires here. No matter how much lime juice you use it should never be too tart, because we’re using Roses West India Sweetened Lime Juice, not normal unsweetened lime juice.
This is a HUGE deal - even over squeezing the lime wedge can over-tart the drink. But Roses by itself won’t over-tart the gimlet at all.
That’s why the ratio is higher. It’s a sweeter, fruitier drink that should be minimally tart, if Roses is used.
Recently, on a trip to Chicago I went to a restaurant named Tru and had bar none the best vodka gimlet EVER - and that is my summer drink - so I’ve had a few. Freshly squeezed lime juice - strained - simple syrup and Ketel One. I am also normally a Grey Goose girl, but I honestly don’t think it was the vodka. You couldn’t even see the lime juice, it was so crystal clear and colorless, yet definitely present. I find Roses to have a slightly rancid aftertaste, so after the time-consuming efforts of their bar staff I have to say - WINNER!!!
I’d like to share with you all something awesome I learned this weekend. I went to a friends party for labor day and met these guys who were doing sample tastings among their own Perfect 1864 vodka; “the smoothest vodka on earth” and were challenging any other vodka on its smoothness. Needless to say that the top ones in this race were grey goose, kettle one, belvedere, etc. The interesting thing was that the taste test was done at room temperature, no ice! they said when they do it like that all the vodkas using flavors or fragances to mask or hide impurities can’t hide them…. sort of like can run but not hide. Turned out to be so true. When I drink my grey goose or kettle one vodka I mix it with juices so I never really feel the difference til the next morning… scaryyyyyyy! yeap!!! a big you know what hangover. So guys&girls, try it the next time you want to drink a real smooth vodka, its called Perfect 1864 vodka from France made with wheat.
take care for now and… let’s keep informing each other about the best vodkas we find out there ;.)
Mercedes, I went to a taste test event and for Perfect Vodka in Newport Rhode Island. I totally agree about it being the smoothest vodka on earth. The thing is I experienced it for myself. There is nothing like really experiencing the no burn comparison. The other thing that I finally understand why the quality of ingredients and distillation process matters. This Perureux Perfect1864 Vodka is a status symbol that represents education and premium quality.www.perfect1864.com is the only premium high quality vodka that respects the customers right to know why they make claims like the smoothest vodka in the world and the highest quality vodka in the world. I can’t even get past the promo pages that only show a video on most premium vodka websites.Maybe we should start a club. The “You are Perfect” club. I recently read a great toast on another site for Perfect1864.”La vie est parfaite, vous sont parfaite!” “Life is perfect, you are perfect!”
Was drawn to your recipe because it was the first one listed in a Google search. The recipe aside, your grammar faux pas use of “I” instead of “me” stood out…”Sean’s first wife introduced my girl friend and I to a Vodka Gimlet”… and is like saying “introduced I to a Vodka Gimlet, instead of “introduced me to a Vodka Gimlet”. The bad grammar aside, your recipe was perfect.
@Jimmy: Ya know, it’s funny - me follow that rule all the time. My Mom’s an old school teacher and was during my lifetime always pretty strict about grammar rules. Let’s hope she doesn’t read this post before I get to editing it ;)
Thanks for the heads up, and I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe.
It’s me again. Coincidentally, I just now ran across some interesting comments about a vodka gimlet in a book I’m reading - Stuart Woods’ Shoot Him If He Runs. Main character Stone Barrington responds to a compliment on his vodka gimlets and a question about how he makes them with:
“Pour six ounces out of a fifth of vodka, replace it with Rose’s sweetened lime juice, and put it in the freezer until it hurts to hold the bottle. If you make it in a cocktail shaker, you just water it down.”
Hey Jimmy. Sounds like the easy way out ;)
We actually look to the ice to “water” it down a little - hence the sections about keeping the vodka at room temperature, etc.
There are so many variations, we just think this one is the best. I mean, after all, we ARE The Bar Project. Doesn’t having that name just automatically lend us credibility? :)
I love ‘em, but are Gimlets “bitch” drinks?
@Ed: If you’re asking if Gimlets are a “girly” drink, I’d have to say no. It’s basically vodka, with some lime juice. It’s not a traditional women’s mixed drink like a Cosmo or (getting old school) a Grasshopper or Pina Colada or a Daiquiri.
That said, if you like it, drink it! Yeah, I guess a single malt, straight up is probably the manliest of drinks as society deems them at this point in time, but I’ll never be a fan (need some rocks).
Go Gimlets!
Has anyone ever heard of a “California Gimlet” -
Years ago I found it - think it had an added ingredient of Triple Sec or Gran Marnier but do not know the proportions.
It was so smooth & good!
Can anyone help?
The perfect Vodka Gimlet - try this recipe, it rocks.
1. Take a 750ml bottle of the vodka of your choice.
2. Pour out EXACTLY 6oz. of vodka.
3. Pour (yes, right into the bottle) EXACTLY 6 oz. of Rose’s lime.
4. Shake well and put in the freezer for 24 hours.
Then…perfectly pre-made gimlets on demand in the freezer. The 24 hour waiting period is really important as it allows time for the vodka and lime to fuse.
Got this from a Stuart Woods novel, and tried it. Better gimlets than any I’ve ever tasted.
Enjoy…
Cheers to reviving the noble gimlet, but only with fresh lime and a small bit of simple. Rose’s is stale and ugly.