nutty vodka gimlet

 

The vodka gimlet was my very first cocktail. When my parents had guests over, there was always a pitcher on hand, and I would sneak a sip when I could. I don’t know if it was the lime or the hazelnuts that I found more appealing.

Yes, you read that correctly: Hazelnuts. After pouring a glass, one or two hazelnuts were dropped in, to be enjoyed at any point during the imbibing process. Once I became old enough to have my own, I would put three or four hazelnuts in my glass. While developing my own vodka gimlet recipe, I wanted to get even more of their flavor incorporated into this drink. Toasting them helps bring out the flavor-intensive oils, as does bashing them around with some ice and an acid in a cocktail shaker. If you’re a little doubtful, trust me on this one – you’ve just got to try it. (Unless, of course, you’re allergic to nuts – then please, don’t try it.) The hazelnut flavor is subtle but enhances both the aroma and flavor of this cocktail in wonderful ways.

My parents made this drink with Rose’s sweetened lime juice, but I prefer to avoid artificial stuff when I can, so I use fresh lime and balance it with lemon-lime soda for an even tastier gimlet than I grew up with. This light, summery beverage is perfect by the fire, the pool, or just about anywhere else.

nutty vodka gimlet

1 shot of your favorite vodka
juice from half a lime
8 toasted hazelnuts
lemon-lime soda

Put lime juice, five hazelnuts and ice into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Add the vodka to the shaker, swish gently, and pour mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass with ice. Fill with 5-6 ounces of lemon-lime soda, and finish with three toasted hazelnuts.

(Apologies to anyone who clicked on this recipe thinking it was for a Flaming Moe or some other ignited concoction.)