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Old Friend

Aperitivo/aperitif · Bittersweet (e.g. Negroni) · Contemporary classic

4.2 435 ratings

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Pink grapefruit juice
1/2 oz Red bitter liqueur
1/3 oz Elderflower liqueur

How to make

Serve in a coupe glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of grapefruit zest twist.

Method

  1. 3 SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS grapefruit zest twist over cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour profile

19.3% alc./vol. · 1.4 standard drinks · 168 calories

History

Tart, dry, and lightly bitter, this drink possesses just enough sweetness to be palatable and encourage another sip, offering a complex, bittersweet taste. It is excellent as an aperitif on a warm summer evening. Jim's initial recipe specified 7.5ml (¼oz) of elderflower liqueur. However, in October 2020, due to popular demand, the recipe was updated to include double that amount. Then, in June 2022, in an effort to achieve better balance and satisfy a wider range of tastes, this was adjusted to 10ml (1/3oz). Considering the variability of citrus, this is believed to be the final revision.

This recipe was adapted in 2012 from one created by Jim Meehan for the cocktail menu at Chef's Club in Aspen, Colorado.

Created by Jim Meehan