Aunt Roberta Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Aunt Roberta is an unapologetically boozy, spirit-forward cocktail that sits closer to a “loaded” mixed drink than a delicate, balanced classic. You’ll find it mentioned more as a notorious, high-octane combination than as a drink with a clear, well-documented origin story—its reputation comes from sheer intensity and the way it stacks multiple base spirits into one glass. Think of it as a bold, late-night outlier in the cocktail world: less about subtlety, more about impact.
On the palate, vodka lays down a clean, neutral backbone that lets the other spirits speak loudly. Gin brings a sharp, aromatic edge, while brandy adds a rounder, darker fruit warmth. Absinthe dominates with its unmistakable anise character, cutting through the mix and lingering long after the sip. Blackberry liqueur threads in a sweet-tart berry note that softens the harsher angles and gives the finish a jammy tint.
Serve this in a cocktail glass when you want something bracing and uncompromising—more “statement” than session. It suits adventurous drinkers who enjoy big, herbal flavours and don’t mind a drink that comes on strong. This is best saved for slow sipping, after dinner, or as a dare-worthy choice when you’re in the mood for something infamous.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Vodka, absinthe, gin, and brandy hit first with a hot, dry, herbal rush, while blackberry liqueur adds a dark, jammy sweetness that briefly softens the edges before the absinthe’s anise and gin’s botanicals take over again. It works by letting blackberry liqueur act as the only cushion against a wall of high-proof spirits, so it’s best for fearless, spirit-forward drinkers who want intensity over balance.
Method
How to make a Aunt Roberta
- Brandy 30ml, Vodka 90ml, Absinthe 60ml, Gin 45ml, Blackberry liqueur 30ml
-
- Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice
-
- Shake well then strain into chilled cocktail glass
-
- Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Aunt Roberta with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use a high-quality absinthe for a more nuanced anise flavor that blends better with the other spirits.
- Chill your cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before pouring the cocktail to keep the drink cold for longer without diluting it with extra ice.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
Can I substitute any of the spirits in Aunt Roberta?
Aunt Roberta is known for its potent mix of spirits. While substitutions may alter its unique character, you can replace blackberry liqueur with raspberry or blackcurrant liqueur for a similar fruity depth. However, substituting the base spirits (brandy, vodka, absinthe, gin) would significantly change the flavor profile and potency of the cocktail.
What is the best way to serve Aunt Roberta?
Aunt Roberta is best served in a chilled cocktail glass to maintain its cold temperature. Considering its high alcohol content, serving it cold enhances its smoothness and balances its potent taste. No additional ice is recommended as it may dilute the strong flavors.
Should Aunt Roberta be shaken or stirred?
Aunt Roberta should be shaken, not stirred. Shaking the cocktail with ice before straining it into a glass helps to thoroughly mix the high-proof ingredients, slightly dilute the drink for a smoother taste, and ensure it's well-chilled.
How does the alcohol content in Aunt Roberta compare to other cocktails?
Aunt Roberta has a notably high alcohol content at 39.41%, making it much stronger than the average cocktail. Most cocktails have an alcohol content ranging from 15% to 30%. Its potency places it among the stronger drinks, designed for those who appreciate a stiff cocktail.
What occasions are suitable for serving Aunt Roberta?
Given its high potency and unique flavor profile, Aunt Roberta is particularly suited for small gatherings or special occasions where cocktails are meant to be sipped and savored. It's an excellent choice for cocktail enthusiasts looking for a powerful and distinctive drink, but it may be too strong for casual drinking occasions.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Discover this rich blend of brandy and red wine.
Sangaree
Brandy, Orange liqueur, Red wine, Orange juice, Lemon juice, Cinnamon syrup, Sugar / simple syrup
Discover this classic spiced wine sensation.
Glühwein
Brandy, Red wine, Lemon, Orange, Sugar, Cinnamon, Cloves
Enjoy this warm, aromatic blend of brandy and coffee.
Black Jack
Brandy, Cherry brandy, Sugar, Coffee
Try this smooth blend of brandy and creamy eggnog
Brandy Eggnog
Brandy, Sugar / simple syrup, Milk, Egg
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments