Paul Kushner
If you want a refreshing drink to quench your thirst on hot days, the Cucumber Basil Lime Gimlet is a great pick. This drink is fast, easy, and straightforward to make.
Plus, the fresh cucumber and lime will give you the feeling that you’re sipping something healthy—like a summer salad in a glass. Lime is actually packed with vitamin C, while cucumber contains antioxidants, vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium.
Meanwhile, basil has traditionally been used for medicinal purposes to treat everything from colds to inflammation and snakebites.
That said, you probably didn’t come looking for this drink recipe for health reasons. Read on to find out how this cocktail is made.
About and History
The traditional gimlet combines simple syrup, gin, and lime juice. British sailors supposedly concocted it in the 1700s as a means of preventing scurvy. Vitamin C deficiency is a common cause of scurvy, and since the gimlet has Vitamin-C-packed lime, this drink may have done the trick.
Some claim that the gimlet was named after the admiral of a British ship. Others say the drink’s moniker comes from the tool used to tap alcohol barrels on 19th-century naval vessels.
In any case, once people realized that lime juice could prevent painful scurvy, it became a valuable ration aboard ships. Scottish businessman Lauchlin Rose patented and bottled Rose’s Lime Cordial, a sugar and lime juice concentrate, in 1867.
While the original gimlet was made with gin, you can also find vodka gimlets on the market these days. These rose to popularity in the 1980s and 1990s.
A vodka-based gimlet will generally be more neutral, lacking the strong botanical flavor of gin. This allows other ingredients in the drink (like lime and cucumber) to shine. For this reason, we recommend making the Cucumber Basil Lime Gimlet with vodka for a smooth cocktail experience.
How to Make a Cucumber Basil Lime Gimlet
Another reason to love the Cucumber Basil Lime Gimlet is that it’s a cinch to put together. Here’s how to make the perfect drink on a hot summer’s day.
Cucumber Basil Lime Gimlet
The Cucumber Basil Lime Gimlet is refreshing, tasty, and even has some healthy ingredients. Plus, it's easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of cucumber cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 1 and 1/2 fresh basil leaves
- 1 and 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce lemonade
- 1/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice
- Basil leaf for garnish
- Ice
Instructions
- Put the cucumber and basil in a shaker and muddle.
- Add the lemonade, vodka, and lime juice.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the concoction into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a basil leaf.
Cheers!
The Cucumber Basil Lime Gimlet is refreshing, tasty, and even has some healthy ingredients. Plus, it’s easy to make. You don’t want to waste time on a summer day preparing a complex drink. Mix your gimlet, and you’ll be back outside soaking up the sun (drink in hand!) in no time.
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