Lemon Cookie Gimlet: A Nonalcoholic Cocktail Perfect For Spring

Spring feels like happiness itself. And I swear to you—this drink tastes like spring: buttery lemon sunshine in a glass.

Here’s how it started: I recently saw a post for a traditional lemon curd gimlet and I knew I had to make my nonalcoholic version of it.

And a good thing too—because the taste is SO amazing that my friend and I drank half a bottle of Lyre’s alcohol-free gin spirit. If that had been actual gin, we would have hated ourselves in the morning.

Instead, we indulged in too many glasses, and then woke up the next morning ready to go out into the gorgeous spring world!

Here’s a video to show how to make this breath-of-fresh-air lemon cookie gimlet.

And if you want to jump to the recipe, please do!

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Why You’ll Love My Lemon Curd Cookie Mocktail Gimlet

Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting a good friend for a few days in Las Vegas, and while I was there, I ordered a traditional lemon drop martini.

It was a disappointment. I sent it back because it was undrinkably sweet, and the new bartender made another much better one—but still really sweet.

There was no depth. Just alcohol and sugar and a hint of lemon that, frankly, reminded me of floor polish.

My lemon cookie gimlet has none of those problems.

Today’s drink is what I wanted that lemon drop to taste like all those months ago!

The curd offers some surprising notes of rich, lemon meringue pie (if you sniff the curd jar, you’ll pick buttery notes and even a little bit of cheese).

The powdered sugar brings a bit of bakery loveliness and is a surprising flavor in a mixed drink.

And of course, the tart lemon balances against the hardy depth of vanilla.

Can I rave enough about this drink?

You can tell I love it because I spent way too much time taking pictures of it, lol.

Anyway, here’s what you’ll love about it:

• Alcohol-free but big on flavor
• Unique flavor profile (keep your guests guessing how you made it!)
• Surprising cookie sweetness from powdered sugar (as opposed to traditional simple syrup)
• Sweet, sour, homey, very very drinkable.

Let’s Talk About Lemon Curd

A few weeks ago, I picked up a jar of lemon curd from Trader Joe’s, but I have to say—I didn’t exactly know what to do with it.

It sat in my pantry for a while.

Until I spotted that lemon curd gimlet and I had a true Ah-Ha! moment.  

Lemon curd and custard are kitchen cousins (the process is similar to make them both).

Here’s a brief recipe for lemon curd.

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions:

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, and eggs until well combined. Melt the butter over low heat, then add the rest of the ingredients. Cook the mixture, whisking constantly. Increase the heat to medium-low and continue to whisk the mixture until it thickens about 5-8 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.

However, I was very happy with my store-bought lemon curd and was pleased to use the time I saved making my actual drink!

What To Do With Lemon Curd

So apparently drinking lemon curd is not a typical thing.

But it should be!

Here are some ways most people use lemon curd in their kitchens:

• Spread it on toast (or apparently scones) for a quick snack or brekkie.
• Use it as a filling for cakes, cupcakes, and pastries.
• Add it to yogurt or oatmeal.
• Use it as a topping for pancakes or waffles.
• Make lemon curd bars.
• Mix it with whipped cream for a dessert topping.
• Make lemon curd ice cream by folding it into vanilla ice cream before freezing.
• Use it as a filling for macarons or sandwich cookies.
• Whip it into cheesecake batter for unexpected tanginess.
• Serve it with fresh berries as a light dessert.

Click this Slider For Some Nonalcoholic Eye Candy

Menu Planning: What To Drink With This Lemon Cookie Gimlet

Friends, this drink is so good, it might just need to stand alone.

Serve it while you’re sitting poolside, while you’re playing cards with friends, or while you’re enjoying a summer blockbuster on Netflix.

You could also serve it with dessert—poundcake with strawberries, maybe? Or a sticky bun?

I think this would be a PERFECT drink for a baby shower, a wedding, or a bridal shower.

Want More Lemon Curd Drink Recipes?

Here are a few more recipes if you’re in a lemon curd groove.

Note: These recipes contain alcohol, so you may want to replace it with nonalcoholic spirits or maybe just lessen the amount of booze by going halvsies.

• Traditional Lemon Curd Cocktail
• Lemon Curd Margarita
• Lemon Curd Martini

What nonalcoholic cocktail would you like me to post next?

Thanks for reading!

Lee

Me and my bestie, at our lemon gimlet photo shoot.