French Gimlet

Just three ingredients join together to make this exquisite take on a classic cocktail. A French Gimlet has a refined floral flavor profile which is sweet, bright, and floral. This sophisticated elderflower gin cocktail is actually very simple to prepare. This post contains affiliate links, which means we make a small commission if you shop through them. 

Like a Martini, a Gimlet is a classic yet simple cocktail perfect for celebrations. The French gimlet has the lovely addition St Germain elderflower liqueur, which imparts beautiful floral notes. 

This cocktail recipe is the perfect balance of bright and refreshing lime, herbal gin, and floral elderflower liqueur. Here are all the tips you need to make it. 

What’s in a Gimlet? 

A Gimlet cocktail is a classic cocktail made with two primary ingredients: gin and lime juice. It’s known for its simple yet refreshing taste.

Traditionally, it was made using only gin and lime juice, but modern variations usually include a touch of simple syrup to balance the tartness of the lime.

The cocktail is typically served very cold in a chilled glass and can be garnished with a lime wheel or twist. It’s a popular choice for those who appreciate a crisp and tangy flavor profile in their drinks. 

For those who don’t enjoy the herbal and often earthy undertones of gin, vodka can be substituted for a cleaner taste. 

What is a French Gimlet? 

A French Gimlet is a variation of the classic Gimlet cocktail. In this refined twist, the French Gimlet introduces St-Germain elderflower liqueur for an added layer of complexity and elegance.

Gin has a wonderfully herbal and often earthy undertone which lends itself to many interesting cocktail combinations. A classic Gin Gimlet contains gin with some kind of sweetener like simple syrup or sugar plus freshly squeezed lime juice.

Using St-Germain as the sweetener turns this classic into the rather sophisticated-sounding French Gimlet which is a beautiful floral cocktail that’s perfectly balanced.

The components of a French Gimlet include:

1. Gin: The foundational spirit of the cocktail, gin contributes its characteristic botanical notes, lending depth and character to the drink.
2. St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur: The distinguishing feature of the French Gimlet, St-Germain imparts a floral and subtly sweet essence that beautifully complements the gin and lime.
3. Lime Juice: Providing the essential zing, lime juice brings a tangy and citrusy dimension that harmonizes the flavors of the gin and elderflower liqueur.

What is St‑Germain Liquer? 

To make a French Gimlet, all you need is a cocktail shaker, ice, and the elderflower gin cocktail ingredients. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a glass canning jar for shaking this cocktail together. 

Simply shake the ice, gin, lime juice, and St Germain liqueur together until cold. Strain into a glass, garnish, and enjoy! 

    

What Glassware to Use for a French Gimlet

We recommend keeping with traditional glassware for optimal enjoyment of this recipe. A coupe glass, as we used here, is recommended. A coupe is an elegant glass that works for Champagne, martinis, and cocktails. Martini glasses are also often used for gimlets. 

What to Serve with French Gimlets 

French gimlets are perfect for enjoying a happy hour or before dinner with friends. We recommend a light appetizer such as a vegetable crudités platter, or oysters with mignonette, or if you want to go all-in on the French theme, try making escargots.