A Raspberry Gimlet is the perfect beverage for the summer! This sweet and fruity adult drink is a refreshing libation that's ideal for just about any special occasion.
This recipe utilizes helpful shortcuts that will turn any kitchen into a home bar. Prepare this festive drink in minutes, without any cocktail tools or special syrups!
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🩵 About This Recipe
Looking for a super simple raspberry drink that's perfect for the spring and summer? This raspberry cocktail is made with just 4 ingredients!
It's an elegantly easy drink that anyone can shake up in minutes. Featuring floral gin, tart lime juice, and sweet and fruity raspberry preserves, this gimlet cocktail is the perfect blend of delicate flavors.
Can't get enough raspberry? Try my Raspberry Sorbet Wine Spritzer or a cold and tasty Raspberry Frozen Yogurt!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- sugar - helps balance the tart citrus flavors with some sweetness.
- gin - perfect for a light and fruity cocktail thanks to its floral and effervescent flavor!
- lime juice - adds a bright, zesty flavor and balances the sweetness of the raspberries.
- raspberry preserves - infuses the cocktail with fresh and delicious raspberry flavor.
🔪 Let's Make a Raspberry Gimlet!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Make Simple Syrup
Add sugar to a jar with water and shake to dissolve.
Add Other Ingredients
Spoon preserves into the jar with gin and lime juice.
Shake Well
Give the jar a good shake until the mixture is fully incorporated.
Strain
Pour the mixture through a cheesecloth to strain out any seeds from the preserves.
Serve
Pour into glasses and enjoy your raspberry gimlet!
This raspberry cocktail is great for the warmer months, but the color makes it perfect for the holiday season as well!
❔ FAQs
A typical gimlet consists of just gin and lime juice. The natural flavor of citrusy gin pairs perfectly with fresh lime!
Both of these products are made from the same thing - the way they're prepared is just slightly different. Raspberry jam is made from smashed fruit, whereas preserves are made from larger chunks of fruit. Because raspberries are so delicate, the difference between raspberry preserves and raspberry jam is ultimately pretty small.
A quality London dry gin works well, but feel free to choose a gin that you enjoy. A more floral or fruity gin can complement the raspberries nicely.
Another refreshing adult beverage you'll want to try is this 3 ingredient lemon drop martini. It's easy to make and so tasty. Or check out this aperol mimosa - perfect for a brunch or holiday breakfast!
Love gin? Then you won't want to miss this delicious gin alexander, made with creamy white chocolate liqueur.
Have you ever had a Spicy Grapefruit Ranch Water cocktail? It's like a homemade hard seltzer - give it a try!
Don't have time for this raspberry gimlet recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make the simple syrup in advance and store in the fridge for up to a week or so.
- If you do make it ahead of time, use warm water so the sugar dissolves more easily.
- Instead of a jar, you could also use a cocktail shaker to combine your ingredients.
- Add a wedge of lime or a twist of lime peel, some mint, or fresh raspberries as a garnish.
- Chill the glasses before serving to upgrade the presentation.
- This recipe can easily be scaled up and made in a pitcher for serving at parties and gatherings! Keep it in the fridge until it's time to serve.
This raspberry gimlet is perfect for any time of year, from a refreshing summertime refreshment to an accompaniment for an elegant holiday meal!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of gin, you can also make this raspberry gimlet cocktail with vodka or rum.
- For an even fresher flavor, use fresh raspberries and muddle them in the bottom of a shaker or the jar.
- Fresh lime juice will give you the best flavor, but bottled lime juice is useful in a pinch. Lemon juice is also a great option.
- Add an herbal twist by shaking up with basil or mint and removing before pouring.
- Give your raspberry drink a fizzy twist with some sparkling water or club soda, or use ginger ale or a flavored water for a fun twist!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This raspberry cocktail is perfect to serve alongside an afternoon snack or appetizer! Pair it with these Mini Caprese Pizzas, a 5-Minute Black Bean Dip, or a big bowl of Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, or keep the sweetness going with this fancy Burrata Salad!
😋 More Cocktail Recipes You'll Love
- Frozen Strawberry Basil Margaritas - Another fantastic summer cocktail with a blended slushy consistency and a balance of fruity and herbal flavors.
- Moscato Sangria - Combine sparkling wine with fresh fruit for a light and refreshing beverage that's great to share.
- Spiked Butterscotch Hot Chocolate - Perfect as a rich and indulgent adult treat during the holidays.
- Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade - This drink from Cocktails and Appetizers is the perfect beverage to kick back and enjoy!
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Raspberry Cocktail Recipe
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📋 Recipe Card
Super Simple Raspberry Gimlet
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sugar
- 4 ounces gin (½ cup)
- 2 ounces lime juice (¼ cup)
- 2 tablespoons raspberry preserves
Instructions
- Make the super-simple syrup by placing the sugar and ¼ cup of water in a container with a lid (like a mason jar) and shaking vigorously until the sugar is dissolved.¼ cup sugar
- Add the gin, lime, and raspberry preserves. Shake until the raspberry preserves have dissolved somewhat and the drink has a pretty red hue.4 ounces gin, 2 ounces lime juice, 2 tablespoons raspberry preserves
- Strain the mixture through the cheesecloth when pouring into glasses to make a nice clear cocktail.
- Serve cold with one of these options: Make ahead and store in the refrigerator, or add ice cubes to the drink when serving, or add ice cubes in step 2, shake, and then strain the remains of the cubes out when pouring into glasses.
Notes
- For easier prep, make the simple syrup in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also buy pre-made simple syrup to save time.
- If you are making the super simple syrup ahead of time, to dissolve the sugar more quickly, use warm water when making the simple syrup, then place in the fridge to chill.
- If you prefer, use a blender to combine the gin, lime juice, raspberry preserves, and simple syrup.
- Substitute vodka or rum if you don't have gin.
- To use fresh raspberries instead of preserves, muddle a handful of raspberries with the gin and lime juice, then strain before serving.
- Add a few fresh basil or mint leaves when shaking the cocktail for an herbal twist.
- No lime juice? You can use lemon juice instead.
- Add a splash of sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy twist.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- Garnish with a lime wheel, fresh raspberries, or a sprig of mint for a visually appealing drink.
- Serve in chilled coupe glasses or martini glasses for an elegant presentation.
- Scale up the recipe to make a pitcher for a party. Prepare in advance and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Pair with light appetizers like cheese and crackers, bruschetta, or a fresh fruit platter to complement the flavors.
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November 2013, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in August 2024.
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Clara says
Hello!
Gimlets are my favorite type of drink - gin is the best! I have a gin blog, first order gin, on Pinerest, and would love to join your group board Cocktail Concoctions! Thank you
Kristin says
Hi Clara, I agree, gin is the best, YUM! 🙂 I sent you an invitation to that Pinterest board, let me know if you didn't receive it. Thanks for coming by!
Sarah says
Your Raspberry Gimlet is one of my Features this week on the Foodies and Crafties Soiree! Thanks so much for sharing!
Diane Balch says
I love how retro your drink is.. lovely glasses. I have heard of gimlets,.. I'll have to give this a try. Thanks for bringing it by foodie friday, cheers.
Kimberly H. Smith says
This is great! My husband loves gimlets and a lot of bartenders have no idea what he's talking about when he orders them out sometimes.