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The Gist
| SERVES | COOK TIME | TOTAL TIME | DIET NOTES | SKILL LEVEL |
| 6 | 0 | 10 | Gluten-Free | Easy |
What Makes This Recipe Shine
- Uses fresh basil and mint for an herbal twist
- Quick to prep-ready in just 10 minutes
- Great for batch cocktails and weekend gatherings
- Elderflower and cucumber add a spa-day vibe
- Gin or vodka-make it your way
What It Is
The Garden Gimlet is a modern, herb-infused twist on the traditional gin cocktail-crisp and botanical, layered with fresh lime, cooling herbs, and a floral touch from elderflower liqueur. It's the kind of drink that looks fancy but doesn't make you work too hard for it.
Round Up Your Kitchen Tools
- High-Powered Blender - Gets the herbs and citrus nice and smooth
- Fine Mesh Strainer - Keeps your cocktail clean, not chunky
- Pitcher - A trusty stand-in for a fancy bar shaker
- Peeler - For cucumber ribbons that'll make guests think you went pro
- Cocktail Glasses - Or Mason jars. We don't judge.
Here's What You'll Need
- Fresh Basil - Adds earthy, peppery flavor
- Fresh Mint - Bright and cool, like a summer breeze
- Limeade - Bottled or homemade, your call
- Gin - Use your favorite, or go half gin/half vodka
- Vodka - Grey Goose or Tanqueray are both top picks
- Elderflower Liqueur - St-Germain adds a floral kiss
- Simple Syrup - Sweetens it just enough
- English Cucumber - Mild and refreshing
- Fresh Limes - For brightness and balance
- Ice Cubes - Plenty, because no one likes a warm cocktail
- Basil Leaves & Cucumber Ribbons - Optional but charming
Let's Get to Sippin'
Blend the Base
- Add basil, mint, limeade, half of the cucumber (sliced), and quartered limes to a blender.
- Blend until smooth, then let the mixture rest for a couple of minutes to infuse.
Strain and Mix
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean pitcher, pressing gently to extract all the liquid.
- Stir in vodka, elderflower liqueur, and simple syrup until fully combined.
Serve It Up
Garnish with fresh basil and cucumber ribbons for that extra polish.
Fill glasses with ice and pour the cocktail over the top.
✨ Scroll on down, friend. That full recipe's waitin' for you at the bottom. ✨
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Tips to Make It Just Right
- Double strain if you like it smooth - A fine mesh strainer plus a second pass through cheesecloth keeps bits at bay.
- Make it ahead - The base (minus alcohol) can chill in the fridge overnight.
- Go bold with gin - Want more juniper? Use all gin instead of splitting with vodka.
- Adjust the sweet - Taste before serving and add more simple syrup if needed.
- Chill your glasses - It's a little extra, but it keeps the drink ice-cold longer.
Make It a Meal
Pair this Garden Gimlet with these summer-ready bites:
- Try it with my Chuy's Jalapeno Ranch and Homemade Tortilla Chips
- Add a side of Southern Pimento Cheese and Crackers
- For something heartier, pair it with my savory Crawfish Hand Pies
Got Questions? You're Not Alone
Can I use only vodka or only gin?
Yep! Use whichever you prefer. Gin adds more herbal depth, vodka keeps it cleaner and milder.
What if I don't have elderflower liqueur?
Skip it and add a little extra simple syrup with a splash of lemon juice for balance.
Can I make it ahead?
Sure can. Mix and strain the base (without ice) up to 24 hours in advance and keep it chilled.
Leftovers & Storage
- Store any leftover strained base (no ice!) in the fridge up to 24 hours.
- Do not freeze-fresh herbs and citrus don't like the cold shoulder.
- Stir before serving if it's been sitting, and re-garnish to freshen up the look.
What's Your Hurry? Stick Around For Seconds
If fresh, feel-good cocktails are your thing, subscribe to my newsletter and take a peek at my full collection of easy summer drinks and front porch favorites-you'll find something to sip on all season long.
Pull Up A Chair and Sit A Spell
Your Turn at the Table
Made this Garden Gimlet? Leave a comment below or tag me in your pretty pictures. I'd love to see your take-especially if you added your own twist.
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Pour Yourself Another: Cool Sips for Hot Days
This collection leans into drinks that taste like a sigh of relief on a scorching Texas afternoon-bright, chill, and herb-infused or citrus-fresh, just like that Garden Gimlet you love. Whether you're fixing one for yourself or mixing up a pitcher for friends, these recipes are all about simple prep, vibrant ingredients, and maximum refreshment. Ideal for porch sittin', sun‑soakin', or just whenever the AC's on the fritz.
Classic Tom Collins Cocktail
A bubbly gin cocktail with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water-served ice-cold in a tall glass and garnished with a lemon wedge.
Perfect Paloma Cocktail
Tart grapefruit juice, tequila, lime, a whisper of agave and soda, all served in a salted‑rim highball glass-sunshine in a sip.
Classic Bee's Knees Cocktail
A gin-forward gem brightened by lemon juice and honey syrup, shaken and served in a chilled coupe with a lemon twist. Crisp and elegant.
Colorado Bulldog Cocktail
Coffee‑laced and fizzy: vodka, coffee liqueur, cola, light cream, and a cherry on top-served chilled in a highball or rocks glass for a fun spin on iced coffee and cocktails.
Bluebonnet Breeze
This light, floral, tropical‑style cocktail combines coconut rum, pineapple juice, lime, and a splash of vivid blue curaçao for a taste that feels like Hill Country spring in a glass. Bright, breezy, and absolutely chill.
*****
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Garden Gimlet Cocktail
Ingredients
- ½ cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves
- 1½ cups limeade*
- 6 ounces Grey Goose Vodka
- 6 ounces St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- 3 ounces simple syrup
- 1 English cucumber halved
- 2 fresh limes quartered
Garnish:
- Additional fresh basil leaves and cucumber ribbons
Instructions
Blend the Base
- In a high powered blender, combine the herbs, limeade, ½ cucumber (cut into rounds) and fresh limes and blend until smooth.½ cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves, ½ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, 1½ cups limeade*, 1 English cucumber, 2 fresh limes
- Let it sit for a minute or two to infuse.
Strain and Add the Spirits
- Stir in the vodka, elderflower liqueur, and simple syrup until well blended.
Serve and Garnish
- Pour the cocktail over glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves and cucumber ribbons (made by using a peeler to make ribbons out of the remaining cucumber or from baby cucumbers), if you'd like to dress it up.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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