American Beauty (by David Embury)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (21 ratings)

Serve in a Coupe glass

Ingredients:
2 oz Rémy Martin V.S.O.P. cognac
12 oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth
12 oz Giffard Menthe Pastille white crème de menthe
12 oz Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
12 oz Monin Grenadine Syrup
16 oz Claret wine (Bordeaux red)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select a Coupe glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of mint leaf or red rose petal
  3. SHAKE first 5 ingredients with CRUSHED ICE.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. FLOAT red wine.
  6. Garnish with mint leaf or rose petal floated on surface.

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10
Cocktail of the day:

17th February 2025 is World Cat Day

Review:

Both fresh and refreshing. A subtle hint of peppermint gives zing to this cognac-based cocktail.

View readers' comments

Variant:

When served in a tall glass with crushed ice this is called an American Beauty Punch.

History:

Adapted from a recipe in David A. Embury's 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.

AMERICAN BEAUTY
1 part French Vermouth
1 part Grenadine
1 part White Creme de Menthe
1 part Orange Juice
4 parts Cognac
Shake well with crushed ice. Float 1 teaspoonful claret on top of each drink.
This drink is sometimes served in a tall glass filled with crushed ice and then called American Beauty Punch.

David A. Embury, 1948

Nutrition:

One serving of American Beauty (by David Embury) contains 249 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 18.18% alc./vol. (18.18° proof)
  • 22.7 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Showing 6 comments for American Beauty (by David Embury).
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ian roberts’ Avatar ian roberts
20th January 2024 at 17:23
Complex and sweet with a lovely hint of mint
Chris Haley’s Avatar Chris Haley
18th January 2024 at 05:07
An instant favorite as a flattering innaugural showcase for my homemade grenadine and creme de menthe. I was concerned because the latter was more subdued than commercial stuff but it shines here without being overwhelming.
C.A. Mat’s Avatar C.A. Mat
11th May 2023 at 01:09
Flavors blend remarkably well, except for the mint, which is definitely the strongest. I do like it very much, although I would definitely say it's more on the sweet side than indicated, but it's very mint-forward. I made it again with half the crème de menthe and I think it's more balanced that way.
Katherine Gelat’s Avatar Katherine Gelat
22nd February 2023 at 00:10
I changed this a bit: I used White Creme de Cacao, I used blood red orange juice, and I cut the grenadine in half. It was yummy!
Alexandre Perron’s Avatar Alexandre Perron
30th October 2022 at 13:19
Instantly..... WOW !!!
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
7th July 2022 at 23:48
Not at all what I was expecting. What a wonderful cocktail. There is a stronger flavour of mint, but everything else blends perfect. Refreshing and uplifting. It would be perfect for anytime - Bruch, afternoon, or after-dinner.