Meet your new favorite gin cocktail recipe - the French Gimlet! A chic 3-ingredient drink that combines lime and elderflower with gin to create an elegant and refreshing sip. This sweet, tart, and boozy elderflower gin cocktail will elevate any occasion.
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If you love the combination of gin and elderflower, try our fresh and fruity raspberry & lemon elderflower gin cocktail for your next happy hour! And for more drinks with gin, try our aperol gin cocktail.
I will guide you through how to make this simple and elegant elderflower cocktail with gin with only three ingredients, basic bartending tools, and less than 5 minutes. Shake, pour, and toast to simple pleasures. As you take that first sip, you'll understand why classics never go out of style.
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What is a French Gimlet?
A French gimlet cocktail is a floral twist on a traditional gimlet. The gin gimlet recipe originated in the late 1800s by a surgeon in the Royal Navy. A description of the drink from back then describes it as: "gin, and a spot of lime". It can have a splash of simple syrup as well.
A gimlet is typically a gin cocktail, but it can be made with vodka as well. If you're looking for gimlet variations, replace the gin with vodka to make a vodka gimlet.
To make this cocktail "French" add St Germain, also known as elderflower liqueur, for a touch of floral sweetness.
For another twist on a classic cocktail, whip up our blackberry old fashioned or brown sugar old fashioned next time.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Refreshing: With its key ingredients being gin and lime, the French Gimlet offers a refreshing and citrusy profile. For another refreshing drink, try my lavender syrup cocktail next!
Easy to prepare: Crafting a French Gimlet is a breeze. With just a few simple ingredients and a quick shake, you can create a sophisticated cocktail that impresses without the need for fancy mixology skills.
Serve for any occasion: Whether you're hosting a dinner party, enjoying a quiet evening, or celebrating a special moment, the French Gimlet is an ideal drink.
Ingredients
With only 3 components, you probably already have French gimlet ingredients on hand.
- Gin: The better the gin, the better the drink. A good quality gin adds depth and character to this cocktail, contributing to its overall flavor complexity.
- Elderflower liqueur: The taste of elderflower liqueur is floral, fresh, and sweet. Its delicate and fragrant notes complement the botanicals in the gin while adding a layer of complexity. Gin with elderflower is a delicious cocktail pairing.
- Lime juice: While testing this recipe, we discovered fresh squeezed limes are best to use in this cocktail.
Note: St Germain is one of the most famous elderflower liqueurs, but it's on the pricier side. If cost is a concern, use an off brand, such as Drillaud elderflower liqueur.
How to Make a French Gimlet
Making a French gimlet cocktail is as simple as the ingredients in this recipe. Gin and St Germain are a classic combination and make perfect sense in this tart and sweet cocktail recipe.
First, chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes while mixing this drink. Chilling the glass can make the flavors of the drink more crisp.
Step 1: Add a few ice cubes to a cocktail shaker and pour in gin.
Step 2: Add an elderflower liqueur, such as St Germain, to the glass.
Step 3: Cut a lime in half and use a citrus squeezer extract the fresh juice. Add the freshly squeezed lime juice to the cocktail shaker.
Step 4: Stir or shake the ingredients vigorously for 20 seconds until cold and well combined.
Finally, strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass. The best gimlet garnish is a wedge of lime on the rim of the glass.
Serve this French gimlet for happy hour or fancy dinner party. Pro Tip: Make a big batch and pre-mix this elderflower gimlet in a large glass jug before a party. Simply stir and pour when your guests ask for more.
Expert Tips
Chill your glassware: Place your glass in the freezer before making this gin and elderflower cocktail. A chilled glass enhances the refreshing experience of the drink.
More floral flavor: Add a half ounce of lavender simple syrup or rosemary syrup to the cocktail shaker for a fun floral or herbaceous twist.
Experiment with gin varieties: Explore different gin brands to discover how their botanicals interact with the lime and elderflower. Some gins may have citrus-forward notes, while others may be more herbal or floral.
Don't forget the garnish: A twist of lime or a thin lime wheel makes for a simple yet elegant garnish. It not only enhances the presentation but also adds a hint of citrus aroma to each sip.
Recipe FAQs
The taste of gin can vary from one brand to another, but most people say it has a "pine" or "Christmas tree" flavor. Herbs, such as juniper berries and coriander, along with citrus are used to make gin giving it a botanic flavor.
The best gin for any cocktail is one that you enjoy. My personal favorite gin is Beefeater. Since it's the main ingredient of the cocktail, choose a high-quality gin, such as Beefeater, Hendricks, Tanqueray, or The Botanist.
More Cocktail Recipes
- Chocolate Martini with Godiva
- Cold Brew Coffee Martini
- Frozen Limeade Margarita
- Cranberry Gin Cocktail
If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!
French Gimlet Recipe
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I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Gin
- 1.5 ounces St Germain elderflower liqueur
- 0.5 ounce fresh lime juice
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with gin, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and a handful of ice cubes.
- Stir or shake for 20 seconds until cold and well combined.
- Strain drink into a chilled cocktail glass and serve with a garnish of lime wedge.
Notes
- Pre-chill your glass in the freezer before crafting this cocktail. A frosty glass elevates the refreshing sensation of the drink.
- While St Germain is renowned for its elderflower liqueur, it comes with a higher price tag. If budget is a consideration, consider opting for a more affordable alternative, like Drillaud elderflower liqueur or another off brand.
- You can substitute vodka for gin.
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