This cherry gimlet is bright, tart, and just a little bit fruity. It’s a simple three-ingredient cocktail that comes together in minutes and looks beautiful in the glass.
About this cherry gimlet
A gimlet is gin, lime, and a sweetener – that’s it. It’s one of those drinks that’s all about balance, and getting the ratio right matters. This version swaps plain simple syrup for homemade cherry syrup, which adds a soft fruitiness and a gorgeous pink color without making the drink taste like cherry candy. The gin and lime still come through clearly.
The difference between a gimlet and a gin sour is worth knowing. A sour uses egg white for foam – a gimlet doesn’t. It’s a cleaner, sharper drink, served straight up in a coupe glass.
The cherry syrup has a little almond extract in it which gives it a depth that plain cherry juice doesn’t have, it’s subtle but it really lifts the drink. You need to make it ahead so it has time to cool. It keeps in the fridge for two weeks.
Key ingredients and why
- Gin: A London Dry gin works best here. The juniper botanicals pair really well with cherry and lime. For more ideas, browse my gin cocktail recipes.
- Cherry syrup: Where the fruitiness and color come from. My homemade cherry syrup has a touch of almond extract that gives it real depth. Make it ahead so it’s cool before using.
- Fresh lime juice: Essential. Always fresh, never bottled. About half a lime gives you three quarters of an ounce.
How to make
- Chill a coupe glass.
- Add the gin, fresh lime juice, and cherry simple syrup to a cocktail shaker
- Shake until chilled, then pour into a coupe glass.
Tips
- Fresh lime juice only. It really makes a difference in a drink this simple. Chill your glass. A cold coupe keeps the drink colder for longer.
- Adjust to taste. If you like it sweeter, add a touch more cherry syrup. If you like it more tart, add a splash more lime.
- Make the syrup ahead. The cherry syrup needs to be completely cool before using. It keeps in the fridge for two weeks.
- Want foam? Try the cherry gin sour instead – same flavors, same syrup, with egg white for a silky top.
Related recipes
- Cherry Gin Sour – the same flavors with egg white foam
- Cherry Old Fashioned – a stirred, spirit-forward cherry cocktail
- Cherry Daiquiri – cherry with rum and lime
- Vodka Gimlet – the same drink with vodka instead of gin
- Raspberry Gin Sour – if you love fruity gin cocktails
Cherry Gimlet
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin London dry gin
- 3/4 oz lime juice Fresh
- 3/4 oz cherry simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add gin, cherry simple syrup, and fresh lime juice.
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a fresh cherry or lime twist.
