The Gimlet

The 19th century wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for the navy. Scurvy stalked the decks, a relentless menace born of vitamin C deficiency. Enter citrus juice—the hero nobody saw coming. The lime was soon embraced as the savior of sailors, but let’s be real: no self-respecting seafarer was going to sip plain lime juice for long. A dash of something stronger was inevitable. Enter the era of the fortified cure.

Legend has it the Gimlet owes its name to Surgeon Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette, a man with equal parts medical wisdom and impeccable taste. He supposedly prescribed this lime-and-gin concoction to sailors and officers as a daily tonic—purely medicinal, of course. Because nothing says "cure" like a stiff drink.

The Gimlet didn’t just stay on the high seas. It swapped its naval uniform for a tuxedo and hit the shores, becoming a darling of cocktail culture. It’s simple, it’s sharp, and it’s damn near perfect. Sir Gimlette might have been out to save lives, but he also accidentally gave the world one of its most iconic drinks. Now that’s a legacy worth toasting.

Methodology

1. Add the gin, lime juice, syrup and ice to a cocktail shaker and shake until cold
2. Strain into a coupe glass and top with a splash of club soda, if preferred
3. Garnish with a lime wheel, serve and enjoy!