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The Vodka gimlet is a variant of traditional gimlet cocktails. It substitutes the gimlet's primary gin ingredient with vodka.

The Vodka gimlet recipe requires the use of a cocktail shaker and a cocktail strainer.

The ingredients are:

Ice cubes
1 1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Rose's West India Sweetened Lime Juice
1 lime wedge

Ice cubes are better than crushed ice for a Vodka gimlet. A certain amount of water will need to accumulate in this mixed drink while you are preparing it, but crushed ice floods it too much.

Some customers will specify which brand of vodka they want in their Vodka gimlets by saying things like "I want a Stoli Vodka gimlet" when they order. People who routinely drink Vodka gimlets typically do not like harsh alcohol flavors. For this reason, this author selects vodkas that are produced with mineral spring water such as SKYY or Grey Goose because of their smooth flavors. For regular customers who really favor citrus, I use flavored vodkas such as Absolut Citron or SKYY Citrus in my Vodka gimlet recipe.

Also known simply as Rose's, Rose's West India Sweetened Lime Juice is a brand of sweetened lime juice that is used in many mixed drinks. If you do not have Rose's Lime Juice on hand you can mix your own using one ounce of lime juice and one teaspoon of powdered sugar in a separate container. Both types of lime juice need to be refrigerated once they are opened.

The use of sweetened lime juice and lime wedge give the Vodka gimlet its unique tart flavor. As a rule, it is important that you have fresh limes on hand if you are going to serve cocktails. Your limes should always be washed, sliced, and kept cool prior to opening your bar.

Once you have selected and gathered your ingredients you are ready to make a Vodka gimlet. The shaker first needs to be filled with 2/3 ice cubes. The vodka and lime juice are then added. Shake this mixture for fifteen to twenty seconds and then allow it to sit.

While the shaken mixture is settling, rub a freshly cut lime wedge along the rim of the martini glass and then drop it in to the glass. Shake the mixture up once more and pour it through the cocktail strainer over the lime wedge.

The Vodka Gimlet is traditionally served "straight up", or without ice in a standard six ounce martini glass. The martini glass should be chilled with ice water while you are mixing up the Vodka gimlet. If the customer wants her drink "on the rocks" then it should be served over ice in a rocks glass, which also averages 5 to 6 ounces. If the customer wants her drink served "neat" then it should be served at room temperature in a rocks glass without ice.

If the customer specifies that she wants her Vodka gimlet "stirred", stir this mixture vigorously with a bar spoon once it is in the cocktail shaker. The stirring turns the recipe in to what's known as the Haacker Special. If lemon-lime soda is added to the above mentioned ingredient list the recipe becomes a Vodka Ricki.

Gimlets are great cocktails for beginners to make, either at home or behind the bar. Always remember that practice makes perfect and to serve responsibly.

Learn more about this author, Carrie Burrows.
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