English Rose Cocktail – Gin, Apricot Brandy, and Vermouth Elegance
A graceful gin cocktail from the jazz-age era, the English Rose blends gin, apricot brandy, vermouth, and grenadine for a soft ruby hue and refined sweetness. Ideal for those who enjoy floral, balanced drinks with a vintage touch.
The English Rose Cocktail delivers smooth balance and understated beauty. With gin as its aromatic base and hints of fruit from apricot brandy and grenadine, it’s a timeless drink that bridges strength and sweetness.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Gin – botanical backbone with crisp herbal depth
- Apricot Brandy – fruity sweetness and soft richness
- Dry Vermouth – adds herbal dryness for structure
- Grenadine – a hint of tart pomegranate color and sweetness
- Lemon Juice – bright acidity for balance
- Powdered Sugar – rim garnish only
- Cherry – finishing garnish
Equipment
Cocktail shaker, strainer, and chilled cocktail glass.
Why It Works
This cocktail pairs gin’s dryness with layered sweetness and acidity, creating an elegant, medium-bodied sip that appeals to both gin lovers and fruit-forward palates.
Variations
Try a floral gin for a softer edge or swap apricot brandy for peach liqueur. For a deeper hue, use a splash of raspberry syrup instead of grenadine.
Helpful Tips
- Chill the glass before rimming for better sugar adhesion.
- Use fresh lemon juice for crisp balance.
- Pairs beautifully with light appetizers or afternoon tea sweets.
English Rose Cocktail Recipe
Type of Glass
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz.
- 1 1/2 oz.
- 3/4 oz.
- 1 tsp.
- 1/4 oz.
- Powdered Sugar
Directions
- Rub the rim of a cocktail glass with lemon juice, then dip it in powdered sugar to coat.
- In a shaker filled with ice, combine gin, apricot brandy, dry vermouth, grenadine, and lemon juice. Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into the prepared sugar-rimmed glass and garnish with a cherry.
Refined and effortlessly balanced, the English Rose Cocktail remains a timeless reminder that elegance never fades.
