This festive cranberry gimlet lends seasonal sweetness to the classic co*cktail. It's a perfect addition to your next holiday party!
I remember the first time I tried gin; I was not a fan. It smelled faintly of pine trees and the taste wasn’t too far off either.
Fast-forward a few years and I decided to give gin another try. I loved how drinking gin was portrayed on tv – sophisticated and fancy.
I was determined to become fancy with my co*cktail drinking.
So I splurged for some good gin and tonic and mixed myself up a co*cktail. Not as horrible as the first time, but I was still not completely sold.
I kept ordering them anytime I went out to dinner and slowly I started to love gin. I started to enjoy the juniper taste and loved the slight fizz of the tonic.
While I’m still a loyalgin and tonicdrinker I also like to play around with co*cktails so I don’t get bored. For this drink I went a little tart with my mixing.
I have always paired my cranberry with vodka but not this time. I took the classic gimlet and gave it the cranberry twist.
This co*cktail is slightly sweet and can be changed just based on what cranberry juice you use. Part of the fun is figuring out exactly how you like it best!
What is a Gimlet?
A gimlet is a classic gin co*cktail made with gin and lime juice. It is tart and that tartness plays so well with the juniper notes of a good quality gin.
It's a very simple co*cktail, slightly sweetened, generally with a bit of simple syrup. The gimlet is a refreshing co*cktail that makes for very easy sipping.
With a long history dating back to the mid-19th centurey, this classic co*cktail is generally shaken with ice and then strained into a chilled glass.
Often you'll find it garnished with a lime wheel, wedge or twist and served straight up though it's not uncommon to see it served over the rocks as well.
Gin enthusiasts and classic co*cktail lovers alike are generally big fans of the gimlet and for very good reason. It's fresh, tart and utterly delicious.
Cranberry Gimlet Recipe
To make this fruity and festive cranberry gimlet, you will need:
Cranberry Gimlet Ingredients
- Gin - Of course, gin is a must for a gimlet. Use a really great gin and it will make all the difference in this gin co*cktail.
- Cranberry juice - I prefer to mix this drink with unsweetened cranberry juice.If you use cranberry co*cktail it will give it a slight cranberry taste but will be much sweeter. If you use pure100% cranberry juicebe prepared for a much tarter co*cktail. I personally prefer the 100% cranberry juice, but I’m used to its taste so I dig that tart pucker.
- Lime juice - Use freshly squeezed lime juice if you can, or a high quality pre-squeezed lime juice will also work in a pinch.
- Simple syrup - I like to make homemade simple syrup, which is very easy to make. You can also generally find simple syrup in the co*cktail mixer section of your grocery store.
- Fresh cranberries - Nothing looks more like the holidays than a garnish of fresh cranberries. While not strictly necessary, they add such a fun pop to the look of this cranberry co*cktail recipe.
Gear
- co*cktail shaker and jigger
- Old fashioned glasses or champagne coupes
How to Make a Cranberry Gimlet
Step 1. Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice and then use a jigger or a shot glass to measure and pour the gin over top of the ice.
Step 2. Add the cranberry juice to your co*cktail shaker. Again, you can use a sweetened cranberry juice, but I suggest at least trying it with the unsweetened juice, but either way results in a delicious drink!
Step 3. Add the lime juice and simple syrup. You can always add more simple syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink, but add just a little bit at a time until you reach your desired level of sweetness.
Step 4. Shake until well chilled and pour into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries. Alternately, you can freeze the cranberries in advance for a fun, holiday twist.
What Gin Is Best for a Gimlet?
When it comes to this festive cranberry gimlet recipe or any other gimlet recipe, choosing the best gin is largely a matter of personal preference.
I would always recommend a high quality gin - my personal favorite is Hendrick's, but truly any good gin will complement the flavors of a gimlet well.
You might also consider one of my other favorite gins, Gray Whale Gin. It's newer to the market and it has quickly found a home in my liquor cabinet.
Of course, old standbys like Hayman’s, Tanqueray, Sipsmith, and Bombay Sapphire will also do the trick quite nicely. Play around and find your favorite!
You know my favorite part about a cranberry garnish? Once they stop floating you know it’s a time for a refill!
If you're digging the cranberry, definitely take time to check out my boozyholiday punchtoo. It's guaranteed to make any holiday party a success!
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