The Royal Navy gave us Naval Strength Gin through requiring all alcohol stored on board Naval vessels be stored at 57% alcohol or greater. They are also responsible for the Gimlet.

James Lind, a Scottish surgeon discovered in 1747 that eating citrus fruits helped to prevent scurvy and in 1867, British Parliament passed the Merchant Shipping act making it mandatory for all British ships to carry rations of lime juice for the crew.

Some people credit Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette as the namesake of the Gimlet. Acting as a doctor to sailors, he administered gin with lime in order to mask the bitter taste of the limes. Others cite that Lauchlin Rose, a Scottish shipyard owner and patent owner for the process to preserve fruit juice without alcohol created a product known as “Rose’s Lime Cordial”  and sold it to the Royal Navy. Another credible is the story  that the concoction was named after the hand tool used to bore into barrels of spirits on Navy ships – a gimlet.

Regardless of which story you want to believe, the drink is worth your time.
Silk Gimlet

1 1/2 oz of Silk Jacket Naval Strength Gin

Juice from ½ of a medium lime

1-2 teaspoons of Agave Syrup

Mix in a rock glass, add ice and serve.

Posted on September 14th, by David in Cocktail Corner.

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