French Gimlet
Introduction
The French Gimlet is a cocktail that’s all about balance—a classic combination of botanical gin, tangy lime, and the floral sweetness of elderflower liqueur. Its crisp, refreshing profile is elegant yet incredibly simple to prepare, making it a favorite choice for effortless entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a garden brunch, late-night gathering, or simply want to elevate your evening, the French Gimlet delivers sophistication with just a few ingredients.
Why Make a French Gimlet?
The French Gimlet is a standout for its perfect harmony between sweet and tart. Elderflower liqueur adds a modern, floral twist to the traditional gimlet, resulting in a cocktail that feels both timeless and trendy. Its stunning presentation, aromatic aroma, and easy preparation make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—ideal for both cocktail enthusiasts and beginners.
Selecting Your Ingredients for the Perfect French Gimlet
Quality is key with so few ingredients. Choose a gin with botanicals that complement elderflower—think London Dry or a floral-forward craft gin. Freshly squeezed lime juice brightens every sip, while St-Germain or another high-quality elderflower liqueur provides that signature floral sweetness. Chill your glass for a touch of extra elegance before mixing.
Crafting the French Gimlet
To mix a proper French Gimlet, combine the ingredients with ice in a shaker and give it a strong, brisk shake—this ensures dilution and integrates the flavors beautifully. For maximum flavor and a silky mouthfeel, double strain the cocktail into a pre-chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel or a twist of lemon for a pop of color.
Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping French Gimlet
The French Gimlet’s clean, sophisticated look means it pairs well with light appetizers and elegant dinner party fare. It’s especially striking served alongside canapés, seafood, or an artisanal cheese platter. For special occasions, garnish with edible flowers to add an extra wow factor and enhance the floral notes of the drink.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe serves one classic French Gimlet. Each cocktail contains around 175 calories, depending on the gin and liqueur used—lower in sugar and carbs than many other mixed drinks, making it a lighter choice for your cocktail rotation.
Flavorful and Elegant French Gimlet (Recap)
With its vibrant citrus, botanical gin, and elderflower sweetness, the French Gimlet is an effortless yet impressive cocktail, ideal for celebrations or a touch of luxury at home.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and bar cart planning.
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until well chilled.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or a lemon twist, if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Weekly Meal Planning
French Gimlet isn’t just a great standalone cocktail—it can easily be integrated into your weekly meal and entertaining plans. Save and schedule this recipe with your dinner menus to consolidate shopping for fresh limes, the right gin, and elderflower liqueur—all in one streamlined shopping list.
Planning Benefits:
- Aggregates ingredients across all planned recipes for the week
- Sorts your shopping list by store section and bar essentials
- Reduces forgotten items and saves time during prep
- Makes party and gathering preparation seamless and stress-free
Pro tip: When mixing drinks for a crowd, schedule all recipes for your event—the app will calculate how much gin, liqueur, and citrus you’ll need based on guest count, so you shop with precision and avoid both waste and shortages.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
This French Gimlet is sure to become your new favorite for effortless entertaining and sophisticated sipping!