Gimlet

 

The gimlet is a cocktail made of gin and lime juice. The cocktail was described as having gin and a hint of lime in a 1928 advertisement. "A true gimlet is half gin and half Rose's lime juice cordial and nothing else," according to a description in Raymond Chandler's 1953 novel The Long Goodbye. This corresponds to the proportions recommended by The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), which call for half gin and half lime juice. Modern tastes, on the other hand, are less sweet, with at least two parts gin to one part lime and other non-alcoholic ingredients.

The origin of the cocktail's name is a point of contention. It may be named after a tool used to drill small holes (alluding to the drinker's "piercing" effect) or after the surgeon Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette (27 November 1857 - 4 October 1943), who is said to have first added lime cordial to the daily gin tot of the Royal Navy's men to help combat the ravages of scurvy on long voyages.

The vodka gimlet is a variation of the beverage that uses vodka instead of gin. The Daiquiri is a lime juice drink that is made with light rum rather than vodka or gin. In the "Pimmlet," 2 parts Pimm's No. 1 Cup and 1 part London Dry Gin are substituted.