I love cocktails! There is something about enjoying a sweet, fruity cocktail that makes any occasion even more special! Whether you are hosting a holiday soiree or a summertime barbecue, serving refreshing, delicious cocktails invariably adds to the festive atmosphere!
However, I am not always up for working through a lengthy recipe with lots of steps just to produce a couple of beverages. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly times when I will haul out my blender and cocktail strainer and go all out for some fancy mixed drinks, but other times I want the process to be quick and easy so that I can concentrate on hanging out with my guests!
For this recipe, you can get the tangy, sweet taste of raspberries in your drink quickly and easily, without the use of any appliances!
There are actually two tricks in this recipe. One is the super-simple way of making simple syrup (say THAT 5 times fast!). If you have ever made simple syrup before, you know that the best result involves some stove top work and a bit of time.
However, that method requires you to think ahead and prepare the simple syrup prior to your party or get-together. Most of the time that is fine, but what if you forgot about that step? (Not that it has ever happened to me, haha!) In the event that happens, or if you are just not feeling like going through all the trouble of turning on the stove, I have included an easy way to make last-minute simple syrup in the recipe. That way you won't be stuck if you start to make your drinks and then realize you don't have any simple syrup on hand. We can call it SUPER-simple syrup!
The second trick is to use raspberry preserves. That is something you can have readily on hand and not have to worry about it spoiling in a week or two. Is it as good as using fresh raspberries? Probably not, but it is a pretty darn good second place!
As you may be be able to tell from the photos, I made these particular drinks during the summer. They are definitely refreshing during the warm weather months. However, their pretty red color makes them a great holiday cocktail as well. In fact, I can't really think of an occasion where these wouldn't be a great cocktail.... 🙂
The recipe below makes about two drinks, but you can easily increase it to make more. However, if you are making a large amount, make sure you have a big enough piece of cheesecloth so that you can easily strain any of the preserves that didn't dissolve before serving.
📋 Recipe Card
Raspberry Gimlet
Ingredients
For the super-simple syrup:
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
For the gimlet:
- 4 ounces gin
- 2 ounces lime juice
- 2 tablespoons raspberry preserves
- small piece of cheescloth
Instructions
- Make the super-simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a container with a lid and shaking vigorously until the sugar is dissolved.¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup water
- Add the gin, lime, and raspberry preserves. Mix 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.small piece of cheescloth
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Sherri @The Well Floured Kitchen
This looks like a perfect holiday cocktail. I love the idea of using preserves, it is also much more economical than raspberries.
Sarah
I'm one of those folks who actually really likes gin, so this is right up my alley.
Mrs. Smith
What a pretty drink! However, I am one of those folks who doesn't like gin. Could I substitute Vodka?
Kristin King
Absolutely! I think it would still be delicious!
Deanna Lynn
There nothing better than a refreshing cocktail and this looks yummy! love it! what pretty glass you have to server the drink in.
Karly
Perfect holiday cocktail! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Sarah
Yummy! Looks tasty with a kick! Thanks for sharing at Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey!
miranda
Thanks for joining us at meandering monday, this cocktail spoke to me the entire last week I finnally made it friday night. Thank you
Kristin King
Thanks Miranda! I hope you enjoyed it! I love how easy it is...sometimes I just want to make a nice fancy drink without a lot of effort! Thanks for stopping by!
Kristin King
Thanks, Tina!
Paula
Thanks for joining us at Marvelous Mondays, pinned to my MM board! I can't wait to try this, it looks so festive!
Linda
Yummy. PINNED.
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls
What a fun cocktail!! I always have raspberry preserves around, now I just need gin. 😉