Old Friend Cocktail

The Old Friend is a citrusy and slightly sweet cocktail, made with gin, grapefruit juice, Campari, and elderflower liqueur.

The recipe presented here is an adaptation of a recipe created by Jim Meehan in 2012, originally crafted for the cocktail menu at Chef’s Club in Aspen, Colorado. Meehan, an award-winning mixologist and author, is known for his contributions to the evolution of the cocktail scene. His original recipe for the Old Friend called for 7.5ml elderflower liqueur, a measure that provided a subtle sweetness to balance the other components.

However, in the pursuit of perfection and balance, we think that it will be better to slightly increase the amount of elderflower liqueur. This adjustment addresses the palate’s desire for the sweetness to balance it with the tartness of the grapefruit and the bitterness of Campari. By enhancing the elderflower liqueur, the cocktail achieves a more rounded sweetness that complements the other flavors without overshadowing them.

Old Friend Cocktail Recipe

1. 45 ml gin

2. 22.5 ml grapefruit juice

3. 15 ml Campari

4. 15 ml ml elderflower liqueur

5. Ice

6. Garnish: grapefruit twist