Forum
Gimlet (Difford's recipe)
The Gimlet is classically equal parts gin and lime cordial, stirred in the glass it is to be served in, with added ice being optional (but optimal). This...
Chris Dimal
22nd October at 08:20
Sorry for the additional comment, but I would love for Difford's Guide to have its own page for the Original Gimlet. The one that is just lime cordial and gin. Believe it or not, but when you make it with a good lime cordial (like Jeffrey Morgenthaler's), it is actually really delicious and it absolutely nails the platonic ideal of a Gimlet; a dead simple, stirred cocktail with a fair bit of complexity. The lime cordial gets awakened with the gin and the dilution and it is really good, even if I still prefer this recipe. Just by a little.
26th October at 07:38
Thanks, Chris. You make a good point, and I'm on the case.
22nd October at 12:23
Yes, we did a 4:3 split of the gin and cordial (Morgenthaler's) and enjoyed it very much. But perhaps the original is a 50:50 split?
7th October at 07:56
Could only get Bols Zeer Oude unfortunately, but even then, this is a truly delicious Gimlet. So much more complex than other recipes, especially compared to the Schumann Gimlet. I can definitely get just a hint of maltiness alongside the grain and juniper. For sure, my favourite Gimlet.
3rd September at 00:42
As soon as I read Bols I smile. Its taste so much fun, and is laughing in the Nic & Nora. Delicious, and the best recipe! as many times happened with the 'diffords' versions.
3rd September at 00:43
Oh by the way, I put just a tiny part of Limoncello instead of the cordial.
19th March at 03:31
Very delicious. Lightly citrus, nicely balanced - the oude genever gives a slight but distinct maltiness throughout the taste, with a tartness coming right at the finish that urges you to take another sip. Not boozy at all, and the notes of the dry gin are far in the background. Citrus/lime and (very modest) genever malt are the main stars here - very refreshing.
14th March at 13:33
Rutte Old Simon provides a lovely malty back note, but with Old Duff (Old Diff?!) genever this is something else! Must like malty flavours tho. Even then retains a wonderfully fresh and intense sweet-sour combination.
9th January at 20:28
Made strictly to ingredients though did give it a strong shake which helped water down the cordial.
a beautiful drink with quite a mouth clearing effect. I knew I had kept that dram bottle of jenever for a reason.
Having a Gimlet evening and this is the first of 4 varieties - obviously starting with the Difford Classic
a beautiful drink with quite a mouth clearing effect. I knew I had kept that dram bottle of jenever for a reason.
Having a Gimlet evening and this is the first of 4 varieties - obviously starting with the Difford Classic
19th December 2025 at 22:40
made one with 60ml gin, 30ml jeffry morgenthaler lime cordial, 7ml lime juice. was still quite sweet - feel it needs tempering a little.
31st July 2025 at 12:50
Also works well as a Rickey - add 50ml Soda water, on rocks with lime wedge garnish. The malty genever is enjoyably very present.
9th July 2025 at 16:46
Do you dilute the lime cordial as per the bottle info, or use it straight from the bottle? I've got Rose's Lime Juice Cordial.
9th July 2025 at 17:34
Use straight from the bottle. Dilution will come from shaking the cocktail with ice.
4th April 2025 at 17:01
Wow, just wow. Just did this with Ukiyo Japanese Yuzu Gin, Jeff Morgenthaler's homemade Lime cordial, and adding 5 drops of The Japanese Bitters Yuzu.
Absolutely fantastic.
Absolutely fantastic.
18th October 2024 at 12:41
The touch of genever adds a lovely malty undertone. Sweeter than expected. I’d be tempted to cut back the added sugar next time, or possibly omit.
26th July 2025 at 15:06
I’m must contradict myself. With today’s citrus the full 5ml sugar syrup or a tiny touch more hit the sweet-sour bullseye spot on. Superb.
18th October 2024 at 12:42
Overall wonderfully limey and fresh.
12th June 2024 at 02:57
I tried it with Clairin Sonson. Heavenly!!
21st April 2024 at 16:24
I followed the idea of using a little genever (an excellent and deliciously malty idea!) but went for Morgenthaler's KISS recipe of just stirred 2:1 ginever and lime cordial and it's wonderful. It's sour, it's limey, it's sweet, it's herbal, it's incredibly good in its simplicity. I actually think I /prefer/ this over the gin sour. Will have to try Fitzgeralding it with some ango.
21st April 2024 at 16:33
Okay, with a couple of dashes of Ango it's even more outstanding. A different drink for sure, but a damn good one.
9th March 2024 at 23:05
If you are disenchanted with the modern Roses but want to be authentic, there are recipes online for making your own lime cordial. They are simple and make a big difference. Lack the pretty green color but su stance over looks.
18th December 2023 at 11:40
Remade with haymans Old Tom, omitting genever. Produced a clean but very well rounded drink. Highly drinkable.
18th January 2024 at 09:41
I also tried as 'Tom Gimet' - subbing Old Tom for London dry, Rutte Old simon, served long in collins glass with ice and a small splash of soda. I'm sure this breaks a lot of rules but I thought it was pretty tasty! I enjoyed the combination of soda water and genever.
13th November 2023 at 09:59
Added a splash of becherovka, which I’m sure classifies it as another drink altogether, but very pleasant!
19th August 2023 at 21:35
I like a regular Gimlet so I made one with 50ml gin, 10ml Bols Zeer Oude jenever and 30ml Rose’s Lime. It’s actually delicious. Just that little bit of maltiness makes a big difference.
27th April 2023 at 17:22
For todays version I added 5 drops of Chartreuse Elixir. We found this really an improvement although it changes the "simplicity" of this beautiful cocktail.
6th March 2023 at 09:22
Made with green ant gin from Australia, added a hint of spiciness from the ants, fantastic!
13th August 2022 at 22:12
Simon. Very nuanced.
Here's the KISS Gimlet
2 shots of London dry Gin
1 shot lime cordial (I use Bickfords)
1 shot of fresh lime or lemon juice
Here's the KISS Gimlet
2 shots of London dry Gin
1 shot lime cordial (I use Bickfords)
1 shot of fresh lime or lemon juice
29th June 2022 at 00:26
Very refreshing. We use a small batch lime cordial which is made in California. Not too sweet. The combinations of gins makes for a huge burst of flavours in a very well-rounded afternoon sipper.
12th May 2022 at 15:45
For this recipe I encourage using Jeffrey Morgenthaler's lime cordial. Lime, lemon and sugar syrup does not a cordial or gimlet make.