(Note: this post was originally published on September 8, 2022. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
I'm excited to be sharing this cocktail recipe in honor of a very special occasion: my friends Molly and Chandler are getting married! To celebrate their marriage (September 10, 2022), I wanted to put together a gift that every couple definitely needs: their very own signature cocktail. I think it's always good to have some cocktail recipes up your sleeve, and even better if you have a unique "house cocktail" for date nights or when friends and family visit.
This rosemary infused maple gimlet is an ode to Molly and Chandler's story. It incorporates ingredients to honor where they met (Vermont) and flavors to celebrate one of their greatest loves (outdoor adventures). This celebratory sip is a versatile year-round drink that can be enjoyed after a big ski day, on a summer picnic, with friends, or for a romantic date night.
I've chosen the components of this unique maple gimlet to tell the story of Molly and Chandler's relationship. Because they met in Vermont, I suggest using Barr Hill Gin, which is made in northeastern Vermont. To reinforce the Vermont theme and add extra flavor, instead of sweetening this drink with the traditional simple syrup, you'll use maple syrup.
Molly and Chandler love to go on all sorts of outdoor adventures together, including hiking, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking. Fresh rosemary brings this woodsy vibe into the drink. This rosemary gimlet also uses a dash of Green Chartreuse, a near-mythical liqueur made by French monks from 130 different botanicals. You can read more about Green Chartreuse in The Last Word cocktail recipe; it adds a very complex, herbal flavor to this cozy gimlet variation.
To get the rosemary flavor into the cocktail, you'll make a rosemary infused maple syrup. While herbs like rosemary and thyme are often infused into a refined sugar simple syrup for cocktails, infusing rosemary right into the maple syrup yields a more comforting and complex taste. My tip: make a double batch of this rosemary infused maple syrup and use it in salad dressings, drizzled over vanilla ice cream, in a matcha latte, or in another rosemary cocktail.
The Gimlet is a classic prohibition-era gin cocktail that traditionally includes only three ingredients: gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. It's often served in a martini glass or coupe glass, straight-up rather than on the rocks. The typical proportions are usually considered to be 2 oz gin, 0.5 oz lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup.
This cozy maple gimlet adds a couple ingredients to the classic recipe. Instead of the typical simple syrup, you'll make a flavorful rosemary infused maple syrup. You'll also add a dash of Green Chartreuse for an herbaceous aroma and taste. In terms of its flavors, this version is more woodsy and more complex than a traditional gimlet.
It also diverges in its size and strength. Because Molly and Chandler are likely to spend a weekend day backcountry skiing, I wanted to create a more refreshing and hydrating cocktail they could sip after a big day on the snow. Accordingly, this maple rosemary gimlet is served with more lime than a classic gimlet, on the rocks instead of straight up, and with an optional dash of soda water to lengthen it.
This maple gimlet variation is easy to make, once you have the rosemary infused maple syrup. You'll just combine all of the ingredients (gin, fresh-squeezed lime juice, maple syrup, and Green Chartreuse) in a shaker and shake with ice. You'll then strain the cocktail into a serving glass filled with ice and top it with some soda water if desired.
Here's what you'll need for this maple gimlet recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
If you enjoy gin cocktails, I have many here on the blog for you to explore.
For something light, fizzy, and perfect for spring or summer, try this Honey Fig Gin and Tonic, this Blackberry Limoncello Gin Smash, or this Purple Rain (a gin and tonic riff inspired by the song from Prince). For a smaller-format summery drink, check out this Watermelon Mint Gimlet.
Looking for cozier flavors? For late summer or early fall, I think you'll love this Ginnie The Pooh, which is inspired by the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie The Pooh. For the ultimate comforting sip, this Ginger Bees Knees, a riff on a classic prohibition-era Bees Knees honey and lemon cocktail, uses aged gin and is ideal for a chilly winter night.
Are classic cocktails more your speed? If so, then you'll love The Last Word, which is both historic and iconic.
This rosemary + maple gimlet riff is more complex than the original, with a distinctly woodsy vibe. It pays homage to Vermont in several different ways, incorporates a range of herbs and botanicals, and has a delightful balance of fresh and cozy flavors that make it wonderful all year long. It can work equally well after a day of outdoor adventures or for a cozy night in.
I'm excited to celebrate with Molly and Chandler soon (in two days, from the time I'm posting this!). My hope for this maple rosemary gimlet is that it brings them much happiness however they decide to enjoy it, and that it always takes them back to the roots of their relationship, reminding them of where and how their journey together began.
Congratulations on your marriage, Molly and Chandler! Raising a big toast to you, to all your future adventures together, and to a lifetime of joy and excellent cocktails.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
Tart lime, woodsy rosemary, sweet maple syrup, and botanical gin combine to make a gimlet riff that is both fresh and cozy. This one has a very special story!
For the Rosemary Infused Maple Syrup
For the Cocktail
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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