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Angel Face

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (200)
Angel Face image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
1 fl oz Calvados / apple brandy / straight applejack
1 fl oz Luxardo Apricot Albicocca Liqueur
1/3 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water (omit if using wet ice)
1 swath Lemon peel

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in an Urban Bar Alto Coupe 18cl

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest and apple wedge or (dehydrated) apple slice..

Method

  1. REGAL STIR all ingredients (including lemon zest) with ice.
  2. STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Express lemon zest twist and discard. Garnish with apple wedge on rim or float (dehydrated) apple slice.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Alcohol content:

We don't have enough information to calculate the alc./vol., but based on known ingredients, this recipe contains at least:

  • 26.3 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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History

Adapted from a recipe in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book which stipulates "Shake well and strain into cocktail glass," rather than to stir as modern convention dictates.

ANGEL FACE COCKTAIL.
1/3 Dry Gin.
1/3 Apricot Brandy.
1/3 Calvados.
Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

Harry Craddock, 1930


More cocktails by Harry Craddock

Review

Rich apricot and apple with a backbone of botanical gin. Balanced rather than dry or sweet.

This cocktail looks better when stirred, but Harry Craddock's original 1930 recipe is shaken, and the extra dilution helps mellow this spirit-forward classic. Hence, I've added a splash of water to increase the dilution of the stirred recipe. Although an act of heresy, a splash of processed and packaged clear "apple juice drink" also works in place of added chilled water.

Cocktail of the day:

26th July 2026 is The anniversary of The Great Los Angeles Smog

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$2.56 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

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* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Jeff Newcastle
Made as instructed but stirred for longer rather than adding a splash of water. Didn’t think I was going to enjoy it but this one is great. Definitely one for my rotation.
score: 1
Loz Horner
Lovely sipper. Though agree with the comments about sweetness depending on your brand of apricot brandy. We used Briottet which I would say is on the sweeter side so you could lessen the quantity a little.
score: 1
Ruth Harvey
Instead of the de Kuyper Apricot brandy liqueur I used equal measures of de Kuyper Sour Apple, Hallunke Apricot brandy (bought years ago in Halle)and Merlot Lune d'Abricot. It was delicious. Bright, Fruity and a perfect balance of sweet & dry.
score: 1
Bocman
The dry-sweet balance in this one is crucial. I believe it really depends on the type of apricot liqueur you use 🍑
score: 1
Reg and Rog
This is an excellent and refreshing summertime cocktail. As one who prefers drier cocktail options, I have leaned into making this now with dry apricot eau-de-vie instead of an apricot liqueur. While Harry Craddock didn't really specify whether he meant eau-de-vie or liqueur when he gave his recipe for this cocktail, I tend to believe that "apricot brandy" at this time would have meant eau-de-vie. Nevertheless, both versions are great!
score: 1
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Just revisited and still excellent. Added lots of lemon peel and a long.... stir. Tanqueray export strength, Rothman & Winter Apricot, and a decent fruity V.S. Calvados rang all the right bells! ♡♡♡♡♡
score: 2
Mike Gibb Premium Member
Hi Simon, the how-to-make instructions should link to the 'Regal Shake (and Regal Stir)' page.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Mike. I've asked our IT team to add this link.
score: 1
Jacques Merley
I tried the IBA récipé and was disappointed. The apple scent and taste of Calvados did not ally well with the apricot and the bitterness of gin.
score: 1
J. E. Clapham of Clapham Cocktails
I prefer this one with ½ measure of Crème de Abricot and two dashes of orange bitters and a lemon twist. Sublime.
score: 2

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.56 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 25 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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