New Year's Resolution #1

Drink more gimlets.

I discovered this drink about six weeks ago. It has apparently been around much longer than that. Where have I been? And where have all of my so-called friends been, who knew this concoction existed and didn't tell me about it?

A gimlet is lime juice and gin. Actually I have been interested to notice that they are differently prepared wherever I order it. Some places use a sour mix -- six limes to five lemons, one bartender earnestly explained to me -- other's use Rose's lime juice, who knows what else. Sometimes they come on the rocks, sometimes straight up, sometimes in a martini glass and other times in a highball. Some places assume you want vodka if you don't say gin. And I will confess here to a soft spot for the girliest version -- a ridiculous blue thing made with raspberry flavored vodka and a little blue caracao, with a raspberry floating merrily in the glass. (It sounds like I've been doing nothing but binge-drinking gimlets for the last six weeks, but that's not the case. I think I've only ordered them at four establishments, and tonight mixed my own version. There is a whole world of gimlet nuance to explore in the new year.)

For no good reason, I have some strict self-imposed rules about my drinks. I observe the seasons and do not permit myself gin and tonics after September or before the balmiest days of late May, sticking generally to red wine, dark beer or stout, a Maker's Mark on the rocks or maybe some scotch when the flip flops have been retired for the summer. Martinis are permissible all year round. And the girly stuff, colors and fruit flavors and sugar rims and things are generally not acceptable any time, unless I am on some kind of chick soul-sister you're-better-off-without-him sojourn. I am not sure what to do with this new animal. The lime suggests that it is a summer drink. But I'm resisting that (how will I ever succeed in my resolution?!) and am reasoning that maybe because it is not bubbly it is a winter cocktail.

Comments

[A. Rickey]

And the girly stuff, colors and fruit flavors and sugar rims and things are generally not acceptable any time, unless I am on some kind of chick soul-sister you're-better-off-without-him sojourn.

I'm really hoping that doesn't include Old Fashioneds, or I've been drinking girlie drinks all this time...

[TPB, Esq.]

You could probably get away with a sidecar or Old Fashioned at any time of the year (same goes for a scotch & soda, etc.). I've always thought that White Russians, B&B's, and Irish Coffees were good winter drinks, but I still prefer to either violate the seasonal rule (rules are only necessary if you need them for your enjoyment), or stick to a rule of gin in the summer, Bass after labor day, Guinness when it's below 30 out.

BTW - if you're a gin fan, you need to try Hendrick's. It's the Holy Grail of gin.

[amy]

gimlets rock! (and that's all i have to say.)

[George Wallace]

Thanks, Scheherazade, for reminding me of the pleasures of the Gimlet, a drink I used to enjoy frequently but which had somehow dropped from my radar.

I lack trackback capability at the moment -- soon to be corrected by a migration to TypePad -- so I'll use this comment to alert your readers to my own expansion on your post, which I've posted here.

[Jim]

I'm glad you've been introduced to the wonders of the Gimlet.

[Nicole]

I personally love vodka gimlets, and I think they are acceptable all year round. I'll have to experiment with the gin version.