If you want people in period dress at your Mad Men premiere party, you'd best meet them halfway with some era-appropriate drinks. Martinis will work, and Old-Fashioneds are Don Draper de rigueur, but if you're looking to pour something slightly more refreshing, don't forget the Gimlet.
This tangy British cocktail supposedly began at sea, as a scurvy-preventing dose of lime juice, and has stuck around in several forms. The venerable Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) proposes a stirred mixture of half Plymouth gin and half Rose's lime juice; later versions swapped vodka in as the base spirit, replaced sweetened lime juice with the fresh stuff, and traded the spoon for an ice-filled shaker. The improvisation doesn't have to stop there -- once you've mastered the classic mix, try your hand at these twists.
Cocktail
Cucumber Gimlet
Adapted from Epicurious
2 large cucumbers
1/2 cup gin
4 teaspoons lime juice
1 tablespoon simple syrup
Lime wedges, for garnish
Peel and cut cucumbers, place in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Mix 1 cup cucumber juice, lime juice, and simple sugar in a shaker filed 3/4 with cracked ice. Shake vigorously, double strain into chilled cocktail glasses.
Basil Gimlet
2 oz gin
4 pieces fresh basil
2/3 oz fresh lime juice
Cracked ice
In a mixing glass, muddle basil in lime juice. Add ice and gin. Shake vigorously, strain into chilled cocktail glasses.
Ginger Gimlet
Adapted from Ming Tsai
3 oz vodka
2 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz ginger syrup
Cracked ice
In a shaker half-filled with ice, combine all ingredients. Shake vigorously, strain into chilled cocktail glasses. To make your own ginger syrup, combine two parts raw sugar and one part water. Grate a piece of fresh ginger into the mix (to taste), and boil for 2 minutes. Lower heat and simmer for 3 minutes, then cool. Reserve the fresh ginger, it can be greated directly into the drink, or sliced as a garnish.
Comments
e
Rose's has no place in any drink. I can do nothing that fresh juice and simple syrup can't do better.
And Try Hendricks with that cucumber one
Jul 21, 2010 at 11:21 AM
r
I agree; there's something about Rose's that I just can't stomach. Fresh lime juice all the way!!!
Jul 21, 2010 at 7:10 PM
Love just a smidge of Roses - - not as the bar tenders would suplement - very little with Vodka. Ahhhh refreshing and intoxicating!!!!!
Jul 21, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Gimlet OK but keep Roses away from my margarita.
Jul 23, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Nothing like fresh lime juice. It's just so easy to have on hand- it comes in its own pretty green package!
Jul 23, 2010 at 6:47 PM
0
I would def use voli vodka lemon flavor when I try this!
Nov 23, 2011 at 1:46 AM
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