Refreshing Tequila Gimlet Recipe
This Tequila Gimlet recipe makes a refreshing tequila cocktail that is easy to make in just 5 minutes. With tequila, lime, and a little agave, you’ll be sipping your new favorite drink in no time! Grab a glass and try this tasty twist on a classic.
Why You’ll Love a Tequila Gimlet
This easy Tequila Gimlet is just as quick and easy as a Skinny Margarita or Tequila Soda. While this post is not sponsored by Lobos 1707 Tequila, my Ginger Tequila Lemonade post was.
A gimlet is a classic cocktail (you can see my vodka gimlet here) that you may not know about. They only have a few ingredients (mostly with a base of liquor) and lime.
Lime and tequila are such a great match! And this easy tequila gimlet cocktail is almost fool-proof! Lime is one of my favorite things to put in a cocktail so a gimlet totally appeals to me.
Related: Tequila Martini
I love using a smooth tequila for this cocktail since there are so few ingredients in the recipe. Check out the best tequila for margaritas (and more).
A tequila gimlet is a great, simple drink to make any time you want to sip something refreshing, flavorful and absolutely easy. It’s proving to be one of my favorite tequila cocktails to enjoy!
Ingredients
- tequila
- agave nectar: If you don’t have agave, you can use simple syrup instead. I like to use agave because it pairs really nicely with tequila (also made from agave).
- fresh lime juice
Substitutions
- Tequila: While I used Joven Lobos 1707 tequila (they also sell it at Target!), you can use whatever tequila you have on hand. Joven tequila is blanco tequila with a little bit of reposado (aged) tequila added. But you can use regular blanco too (which is sometimes called white tequila or silver tequila). I’ve also really been enjoying Cazadores tequila.
- Lime: If you don’t have fresh lime, you can use Rose’s Lime Juice instead. In fact, a classic gimlet specifically calls for it. And if you use that, you will want to leave out the agave and taste and add only if needed. (Check out my Cucumber Vodka Gimlet to see more about Rose’s).
Variations
Keeping your home bar small doesn’t mean you can’t make creative cocktails. One you know the base recipe, you can add other flavors to change things up like I did with my Cucumber Vodka Gimlet.
- Spicy – you can either infuse your tequila with jalapenos or you can muddle some fresh jalapenos or serrano in the cocktail shaker.
- Infused Sweetener – If you want to add other flavors without taking out the lime juice, use flavored simple syrups. Strawberry simple syrup or even basil simple syrup would be super tasty!
- Other Liquor – you can absolutely change the white tequila to a different spirit if you prefer. Vodka, Gin, or Rum (light or spiced) are a great substitution.
- Herbs – Muddle some herbs into the fresh lime juice before shaking.
- Citrus – Add other citrus juice to the lime juice. Play around and see if you can find a great mix of flavors.
- Fruit – Muddle fresh fruit in the cocktail shaker before shaking the cocktail. Strawberries, blackberries, and even watermelon would be a tasty addition. (Watermelon and tequila are so good – Watermelon Margarita recipe).
How to Make a Gimlet with Tequila
Step 1
Combine tequila, fresh lime juice (this is my favorite citrus squeezer!) and agave in a cocktail shaker.
*You can check out my bar tools post to find out more about this rad cocktail shaker!)
Step 2
Add ice, then shake well.
Step 3
Strain the tequila gimlet mixture into a martini glass or other chilled cocktail glass (if you remember to put it in to chill – it totally works without too).
Tips
You can make a larger batch (in the Elevated Craft cocktail shaker or medium pitcher) and then you’ll just divide the gimlet into individual glasses.
Garnish for Gimlet
I garnished my drink with pretty little basil flowers. It not only looked cute but smelled amazing! Herbs are a great way to add to the cocktail experience even when they don’t change the flavor.
But you could also garnish with a lime wedge or lime wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you don’t have lime, you can use lemon juice. This will make it taste more like a tequila sour. Lemon and tequila are super tasty (as I know from my Tequila Lemonade!)
Yes. A classic gimlet is made with Rose’s lime cordial which is lime flavored and slightly sweetened. I prefer to use fresh lime in my cocktails, especially when tequila is involved. But you can absolutely use Rose’s in a tequila gimlet if you have it.
I prefer to use the strainer built into the cocktail shaker. Especially with this recipe, it’s all you will need. If you are adding fruit and herbs, you may want to strain it through a fine-mesh sieve, then discard the solids.
A margarita has Triple Sec or another orange liqueur. A tequila gimlet does not.
I love to create my own cocktail recipes but I also love rediscovering the classics. And since I felt like a Tequila Gimlet recipe was so simple and insanely delicious, I wanted to share it with you too.
A few more tequila cocktail recipes you may enjoy
Tequila Gimlet Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Tequila
- 2 ounces lime juice
- 1 ounce agave
Instructions
- Add tequila, lime juice and agave to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Stain into a short cocktail glass or martini glass.
Notes
- Spicy – you can either infuse your tequila with jalapenos or you can muddle some jalapenos or serrano in the cocktail shaker.
- Infused Sweetener – If you want to add other flavors without taking out the lime juice, use flavored simple syrups. Strawberry simple syrup or even basil simple syrup would be super tasty!
- Other Liquor – you can absolultey change the tequila to a different spirit if you prefer. Vodka, Gin, or Rum (light or spiced) are a great substitution.
- Herbs – Muddle some herbs into the lime juice before shaking.
- Citrus – Add other citrus juice to the lime juice. Play around and see if you can find a great mix of flavors.
- Fruit – Muddle fresh fruit in the cocktail shaker before shaking the cocktail. Strawberries, blackberries, and even watermelon would be a tasty addition. (Watermelon and tequila are so good – Watermelon Margarita recipe).