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Fresh Lime Juice Vs. Lime Cordial: Which Works Best For A Gimlet Cocktail

Smriti Dey

February 23, 2025

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The gimlet cocktail is popular for its vibrant, zesty flavour profile, attributed to the balance between its ingredients. Often used interchangeably in the recipe of a gimlet cocktail, lime juice is great for experienced bartenders, while cordial is preferred by home mixologists for ease and balanced taste.

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Authenticity Of Flavour

Fresh lime juice offers a fresh, tangy flavour unlike a cordial, which often contains processed sweeteners; try hand-squeezing limes for the cocktail to elevate the citrus texture.

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Balance Sweetness

Lime cordial is pre-sweetened and saves time, but also limits customisation – the use of a jigger to measure ingredients precisely brings in balanced flavour.

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Cost & Availability

Fresh lime juice might be relatively expensive to source and perishable; on the other hand, cordial is widely available, shelf-stable, budget-friendly and convenient for larger batches.

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Prep At Home

A simple homemade cordial can be made by simmering lime extract, zest, sugar and water to achieve the desired consistency, while fresh juice requires no heat application – making it a quicker option.

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Shelf Life & Storage

Fresh lime juice has a shorter shelf life, needs refrigeration and must be used within a couple of days for optimal flavour; cordial lasts around 3 months when stored in the right conditions. *Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.