I’m not one of those people that complains about the cold. I love the clean, crisp feel of winter air. The glitter of freshly fallen snowflakes is magical. Cozying up under a blanket next to a roaring fire is my happy place.
But right now? Right now I’m dreaming of warm days that start with coffee on the porch in the early morning…WARM…sun.
And this is what I planned for over the summer. I froze summer ingredients that I wanted to preserve for the dead of winter when I needed a reminder of what’s to come. Something I’m most thankful for freezing is lemongrass. It’s a beautiful addition to chicken broth, curry, and simple syrup.
Lemongrass simple syrup is what makes this gin gimlet recipe a little more lively than the traditional version. It is bright and citrusy and a little herby, making it the perfect pairing for a gin cocktail. Does it have to be lemongrass frozen from the summer farmers market? No. But I hope this will encourage you to preserve your local bounty this coming summer!
What is a gin gimlet?
A gin gimlet, at its most basic, is gin, simple syrup, and lime juice. The first time I ordered a gin gimlet, it was served with a couple of filbert nuts but apparently that is not a common thing anymore. This is a shame because I love a good snack-worthy garnish like nuts or olives.
Can I make it a mocktail?
Absolutely! You can easily mix this simple syrup with lime juice and your favorite sparkling water for a fun NA beverage.
Do I have to use gin?
Nope! You’re the boss and if you would rather use vodka, that is totally fine!
What do I need to make simple syrup?
Sugar and water. That’s the bare minimum! From there, you an add any fun ingredients you want. Lemongrass is what I prefer for this recipe, but you can play around with all sorts of herbs and spices so you can put together your own fun cocktail creations!
Lemongrass Gin Gimlet
Makes 1 cocktail
1 oz lemongrass simple syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 oz gin
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
thinly sliced lime wheel for garnish
Begin by making the simple syrup. Combine the sugar, water, and lemongrass in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved.
After about 10 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool completely. Strain the syrup into a container with a tight fitting lid. Simple syrup will keep for 2-4 weeks in the fridge.
To make the cocktail, combine the gin, simple syrup, and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with lime wheel. Cheers!