Virgin Gimlet with Lime Cordial

Before you start

A gimlet is gin and lime cordial, sometimes sharpened with fresh lime, served very cold. The cordial is the heart of it: a sweet-sour lime concentrate with the bitter, aromatic oils of lime zest, which tastes different from juice and sugar alone. Homemade cordial is bright and zesty, while many bottled versions are flat and artificially green, so it is worth the short effort.

For the base, a non-alcoholic gin alternative is the closest match. Cold-steeped cucumber water is a quieter option that stays clean and green, if you prefer to skip specialty bottles. Keep the proportions honest: the cordial should be noticeable, and a little fresh lime keeps the finish crisp. Shake hard and strain into a cold glass; a gimlet that warms up quickly turns sweet.

Ingredients

• Lime cordial4 limes — zest only, no white pith
• 200 ml (generous ¾ cup) fresh lime juice — about 8 to 10 limes
• 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 2 g (½ tsp) citric acid — optional, for sharpness and keeping
• Drink60 ml (2 oz) non-alcoholic gin alternative — or cucumber water; see tips
• 30 ml (1 oz) lime cordial
• 10 ml (2 tsp) fresh lime juice
• 1 cup (about 150 g) ice cubes — for shaking
• 1 thin lime wheel — for garnish

Method

1. Zest 4 limes, taking only the green skin. Juice enough limes to give 200 ml and strain out the seeds.
2. Warm the lime juice and sugar in a saucepan over low heat, stirring, just until the sugar dissolves, about 4 to 5 minutes. Do not let it boil, which makes fresh lime taste cooked and bitter.
3. Take the pan off the heat, stir in the zest and citric acid, and let it steep for 30 minutes.
4. Strain the cordial through a fine strainer into a clean bottle, pressing lightly on the zest. Chill until cold.
5. Chill a coupe. Add the gin alternative, 30 ml cordial and 10 ml fresh lime to a shaker, fill with ice and shake hard for 12 seconds.
6. Double-strain into the coupe, float the lime wheel and serve while it is icy.

Tips for success

• For cucumber water, blend 150 g peeled cucumber with 100 ml cold water, then strain through a fine sieve. It gives a fresh, green base with no juniper.
• Citric acid is sold in canning sections and online. It adds a clean bite and helps the cordial stay fresh a little longer.
• Serve on the rocks if you prefer; a single large cube keeps it cold without much dilution.

Substitutions

Granulated sugar

Cane sugar or light demerara adds a faint caramel note and a golden color; the flavor is rounder but less sharp.

Non-alcoholic gin alternative

Cold green tea gives a dry, slightly grassy base. Steep at 80°C (175°F) for 2 minutes to avoid bitterness, then chill.

Citric acid

Leave it out and add 5 ml more fresh lime per drink. The cordial will keep for a shorter time.

Variations

Gimlet highball

Pour over ice in a tall glass and top with 90 ml soda water.

Basil gimlet

Shake with four basil leaves and double-strain.

Troubleshooting

The cordial is bitter

White pith went in with the zest, or the zest steeped too long. Zest lightly and strain at 30 minutes.

The drink is too sweet

Increase the fresh lime to 15 ml, or reduce the cordial to 25 ml.

It tastes watery

The cordial was warm or the base was weak. Chill everything first and shake for no more than 12 seconds.

Storage

Keep the lime cordial in a clean, sealed bottle in the refrigerator and use it within about 2 to 3 weeks. Discard it if it turns cloudy, fizzy or moldy. Shake the drink to order.