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Webster Cocktail

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (47)
Webster Cocktail image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
3⁄4 fl oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth
1⁄2 fl oz Luxardo Apricot Albicocca Liqueur
1⁄2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄12 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix (optional)
2 drop Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or merest pinch of s (optional)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime zest twist.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Express lime zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Webster Cocktail contains 168 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 19.91% alc./vol. (39.82° proof)
  • 21.4 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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

History

Adapted form a recipe in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book.

WEBSTER COCKTAIL.
1/8 Lime Juice.
1/8 Apricot Brandy.
1/4 French Vermouth.
1/2 Plymouth Gin.
Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.
A favourite cocktail at the bar of the S.S. Mauretania.

Harry Craddock, 1930


When Craddock wrote his reference to this cocktail's popularity at the bar of the Mauretania, it was one of the most famous ships due to its luxurious interior and its being the world's largest ship when it launched in 1906, but mostly due to its unrivalled speed, which enabled it to hold the record for the quickest trans-Atlantic crossing for 20 years. The ship was retired five years after Craddock's book was published, and its bell now hangs in the reception of the Lloyd's Register in London's Fenchurch Street, where it is rung annually on Remembrance Day.

More cocktails by Harry Craddock

Review

Balanced, or even a tad on the sour side rather than sweet. Indeed, your choice of apricot liqueur will impact the need for added sugar. Adjust accordingly in the pursuit of deliciousness.

Cocktail of the day:

4th September 2026 is Web star incorporated

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$2.71 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Rachael
I make this with 2 shots of the gin, 3/4 shot each of apricot brandy and vermouth and 1/2 a shot of lime. No sugar syrup! This is pretty tart, but I love it.
score: 1
Chris Brislawn
Folks seem to think this is on the dry side, so I made it with Dolin Blanc instead of dry vermouth and skipped the sugar and saline. We like drinks a bit drier than Simon and thought this was about right, a subtle and very good balance between the lime and apricot. Maybe our apricot liqueur (Drillaud) is more apricot-y than Luxardo's. Anyway, I recommend the blanc vermouth.
score: 2
Miguel Perales Premium Member
Went with the peach vs apricot as per recommended by John.
Peach does come through in the cocktail. Sweet upfront but the lime shows quickly.
score: 1
Miguel Perales Premium Member
Addendum: I totally misread the amount of Rich syrup as 1/2 oz vs 1/12 oz. Obviously the reason my tasted more on the sweet side :)
score: 1
Rick Spamer
Acidic, dry and a hint of fruits. This sure is a good variety, I had to get used to it for 4-5 sips, but then I started to taste the Apricot flavours next to the acidic lime & vermouth. I'd rather drink this on a cold fall/winter day, than the warm summer. But it's definitely a worthy addition to my recipes.
score: 2
Andy Parnell-Hopkinson
Not as apricotty as expected but too soft for my taste.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Very good drink. There is a faint taste of apricot, and it is very dry. Would do again, but might try peach for a stronger flavour component.
score: 1

View 6 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.71 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 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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