Grant Crilly is the Executive Director and cofounder of ChefSteps. Grant is a classically trained chef and, prior to ChefSteps, he worked on the award-winning cookbook series Modernist Cuisine and cooked at various restaurants, including L’Astrance in Paris, Busaba in Mumbai, and Mistral Kitchen in Seattle.

Grant Crilly

The classic gimlet is a cocktail made of gin and Rose’s Lime Juice and nothing else. Lauchlin Rose patented his cordial in 1867 as a way to preserve citrus juice without alcohol. That same year, the Merchant Shipping Act required that all ships of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy provide a daily ration of lime juice to ward off scurvy, hence the term “limey” for British sailors. Rose’s Lime Juice became a standard provision on ships everywhere, and it wasn’t long before sailors were mixing it with their gin. Indeed, the name gimlet may have come from British Royal Navy Surgeon General Sir Thomas Gimlette, who allegedly introduced this popular drink as a way of convincing sailors to take their daily dose of lime juice.Our twist on the gimlet trades Rose’s Lime Juice cordial for our own tonic of green apple juice, which replaces tart citric acid with equally refreshing malic acid. And we keep the original healthfulness of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) by finishing this drink with a velvety lemon juice foam.

Apple Gin Gimlet