Old FriendCocktail 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.
The Old Friend cocktail is a vibrant and refreshing drink that blends the distinct flavors of Aperol, elderflower liqueur, dry gin, and pink grapefruit juice, served in a sophisticated cocktail glass. This concoction offers a perfect balance between the bitterness of Aperol, the floral notes from the elderflower liqueur, the sharpness of dry gin, and the tartness of pink grapefruit juice, creating a harmonious and invigorating drink.
Ideal for sipping on warm evenings or as a chic pre-dinner palate cleanser, the Old Friend cocktail is celebrated for its elegant composition and tantalizing flavor profile, making it a beloved choice for those who appreciate the finer nuances of cocktail crafting.
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 glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
The Old Friend cocktail is a sophisticated amalgamation of flavors that dances gracefully across the palate, offering a delightful interplay between the bitter and sweet profiles. The sharp botanicals of dry gin fuse excellently with the floral sweetness of elderflower liqueur, while Aperol introduces a subtle bitter edge, perfectly balanced by the refreshing tartness of pink grapefruit juice, crafting an elegant and invigorating sip.
Method
How to make a Old Friend
- Aperol 15ml, Dry gin 30ml, Elderflower Liqueur 10ml, Pink Grapefruit Juice 22.5ml
-
- Begin by adding all of your ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, ensuring every component is well incorporated
-
- Proceed to shake the mixture vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, or until you notice the exterior of the shaker has developed a frosted appearance, signaling it's nicely chilled
-
- Once shaken to perfection, employ a fine strainer to pour the cocktail, capturing any unwanted ice chips or herb remnants, into a glass that's been pre-chilled to preserve the coolness of your drink
-
- This process ensures your cocktail is smooth and refreshingly cold, ready for you to enjoy
Power tips
Elevate the Old Friend 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 freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice rather than store-bought for a more vibrant, natural flavor.
- Chill your cocktail glass in the freezer ahead of time to ensure your drink stays crisp and cold from the first sip to the last.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Shake ·Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What type of flavor profile does the Old Friend cocktail have?
The Old Friend cocktail has a unique flavor profile that combines the bitterness of Aperol, the sweet and floral notes from elderflower liqueur, and the sharpness of dry gin. The addition of pink grapefruit juice introduces a fresh, tart, and slightly sweet element, resulting in a balanced and refreshing drink.
Can I substitute any ingredient if I don't have elderflower liqueur?
If you don't have elderflower liqueur, a common substitute is St. Germain, which is also an elderflower liqueur and should provide a similar floral sweetness. If you're looking for a non-alcoholic alternative, a small amount of elderflower syrup or cordial diluted with water can be used but adjust the quantity to avoid overpowering the cocktail.
Is the Old Friend cocktail suitable for those who prefer less alcohol content?
With an alcohol content of 19.42%, the Old Friend cocktail is moderately strong. Those preferring a less alcoholic drink might consider reducing the amount of dry gin slightly or increasing the volume of pink grapefruit juice. However, altering the recipe will affect the cocktail's intended flavor balance.
What is the best time to serve the Old Friend cocktail?
The Old Friend cocktail, with its refreshing and slightly floral characteristics, is ideal for spring and summer gatherings. It's particularly suitable for brunches, garden parties, or any occasion that calls for a light, refreshing drink to be enjoyed in the warmth of the season.
How important is the choice of glassware for the Old Friend cocktail?
Serving the Old Friend in a cocktail glass is not just about aesthetics; it also impacts the drinking experience. The cocktail glass helps concentrate the aromatics, enhancing the floral and citrus notes for the drinker. While you can serve it in a different glass, using the recommended cocktail glass ensures the best balance between visual appeal and taste.
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
Uncover this bitter-sweet autumnal twist on a Negroni.
Autumn Negroni
Dry gin, Campari (Preferably Strucchi Red Bitter Liqueur), Amaro (Preferably Cynar), Fernet-Branca Liqueur, Red vermouth, Orange Bitters, Peychaud's Aromatic Bitters
Experience this elegant gin and vermouth blend.
Dry Martini Wet
Dry gin, White vermouth, Orange Bitters
Discover this vintage twist of vermouth and gin.
Martinez
Dry gin, Maraschino cherry liqueur, Red vermouth, Orange Bitters
Experience this aromatic Martini with daisy flair
Yellow Daisy
Dry gin, Absinthe, Grand Marnier, White vermouth (Dry Vermouth)
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