Aperitif cocktails
Aperitif cocktails are built to wake the palate before a meal: usually drier, lighter, and more restrained than after-dinner drinks, with bitterness, citrus, or a clean spirit base doing the work. The Sidecar brings bright brandy and lemon into sharp focus, while the Boulevardier leans darker and more complex with whisky, vermouth, and Campari. In this list you can compare base spirit, strength, format, technique, and flavour direction, from crisp stirred classics to fragrant, celebratory serves like the Martini Perfect, Lavender French 75, and Negroni.
Sidecar
Cognac, Triple sec, Lemon juice
Lavender French 75
Gin, Champagne / prosecco, Lemon juice, Lavender syrup
Martini Perfect
Dry gin, Red vermouth, White vermouth, Aromatic bitters
Boulevardier
Bourbon, Campari, Red vermouth
Negroni
Gin, Campari, Red vermouth
Garibaldi
Campari, Orange juice, Sugar / simple syrup
Dry Martini 'Preferred'
Dry gin, White vermouth, Orange bitters
Tuscan Blue Fizz
Gin, Soda water, Rosemary syrup
Dry Martini Montgomery's
Dry gin, White vermouth, Orange bitters
Metropole
Cognac, White vermouth, Peychaud's Aromatic Bitters, Orange bitters, Gomme syrup
Velo
Dry gin, Elderflower liqueur, Passion fruit syrup, Lime juice, Peychaud's Aromatic Bitters
White Mezcal Negroni
Mezcal, White vermouth, Domaine La Bohème Gentiane Extra Bitter Aperitif
Lucien Gaudin
Dry gin, Campari, Triple sec, White vermouth
New Yorker
Whiskey, DOM Benedictine, Grenadine
Rosita
Tequila reposado, White vermouth, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters
Spritz 43
Licor 43 (Cuarenta Y Tres) Liqueur, Champagne / prosecco, Lemon juice, Soda water, Mint leaves, Lemon
Vodka Martini
Vodka, White vermouth
French 75
Gin, Champagne / prosecco, Lemon juice, Sugar / simple syrup
Spritz Al Bitter
Campari, Champagne / prosecco, Soda water
El Presidente
White rum, Orange liqueur, White vermouth, Grenadine
Gin And Tonic
Gin, Tonic water
Air Mail
White rum, Champagne / prosecco, Lime juice, Honey syrup
Winter Spritz
Aperol, Champagne / prosecco, Ginger beer
Plain Sailing
Dry gin, Double Dutch Pink Grapefruit Soda, Saline solution