Traditional gimlets (read all about them here) are made with Rose's, a sweetened, bottled lime juice that's electric green. Our love for gimlets runs deep, but our patience for the syrupy, artificial flavor of Rose's was wearing thin. We needed to have a fling with something new—a fresher, tangier, not-as-sweet gimlet. And this is definitely it.

We've had plenty of gimlets at restaurants and bars. Some are made with Rose's, but others are mixed with homemade sweetened lime juice. Lime simple syrup, really. And how hard can that be to make?

Our initial syrup was lovely but still too sweet mixed one-to-one with the gin. So we went back and added more lime juice. It may seem like a lot of lime (the juice of one in each drink), but it keeps the drink from being too sugary. Which, of course, makes it easier to drink two.

Gin Gimlet Without the Rose's
makes two drinks

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
zest of 1/2 lime
juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup gin

In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and zest. Bring to a very low simmer for a few minutes, whisking constantly, just long enough for the sugar to dissolve. Remove from heat and let sit until it reaches room temperature. Pour through a mesh strainer to remove the zest. Add the lime juice.

For the drinks, combine the lime syrup and gin. Divide between two glasses and add ice.

Related: Make These Tonight: Cucumber Gimlets

(Image: Elizabeth Passarella)