Thought to originate with British sailors in the 19th century, with ships’ doctors recommending the addition of lime to help prevent scurvy(!) Popular in the 1950’s, this is a simple but really tasty cocktail to make at home in less than 5 minutes. The Gin Gimlet is a gin cocktail that’s popular with both gin novices and gin aficionados alike because it lets the gin shine through but also has a sweetness and citrus punch.

To enjoy, you’ll need a martini or coupe glass. Coupe glasses have a stem and a broad, shallow saucer and are exclusively used for serving “up” drinks, i.e. cocktails that are shaken or stirred until chilled and served without ice. Before you start making your Gimlet, put your coupe glass into the fridge to chill.

To make the Gimlet, you’ll need to make a simple lime sugar syrup but don’t panic, it’s really easy to make. You can cheat and add lime cordial but if a cocktail’s worth making, it’s worth doing properly! To make your sugar syrup, zest two limes and squeeze the juice out into a measuring jug – you’ll need about 60ml. Top up with 40ml of water (so you have 100ml of liquid in total) and add to a saucepan with 200g of caster sugar and the lime zest. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved – just don’t let it boil. Once the sugar has dissolved (you’ll know when the liquid is no longer ‘grainy’) take off the heat, pour into a jug and leave to cool.

It’s that easy, and you can keep it in the fridge for a few weeks for the next time you’re feeling thirsty for a Gimlet. (Or you can just add 15ml of sugar syrup and 15ml of lime juice, if you’re in a hurry!) The garnish is easy too. Just cut a thin slice across a lime and there you have it – a lime wheel.

So now to the cocktail. Add 50ml of Copeland Irish gin, 30ml of your cooled lime sugar syrup and a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker and shake until it’s ice cold. Pour your shaken mixture through a strain into the chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel. Done!

Check out our video below or head to our YouTube channel (Copeland Distillery) for more cocktail ideas.