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Is it a delicious cocktail? Absolutely. It's bright with some bready characteristics from the eau-de-vie and wine. You might want to try it with less syrup if you like your cocktails tarter. Is it worth opening a bottle of sparkling wine for it? Eh. Do it if you know you have some people to drink the bottle with you, that also likes apricot brandy, but it's not a big improvement on the French 75. As Simon said — it's an apricot gin sour with some added sparkling wine.

The Improved Improved is Excellent. The Eau-de-Vie and liqueur adds a variety of apricot flavour which are softened by the herbal nature of the gin. The Champagne add grape tones and a slight effervescence. Another for the favourites.

With no apricot eau de vie in house I decided to use 1oz gin, 1 oz apricot brandy, ½ oz lime juice, 3 dashes Peychauds and 1 oz champagne which made a lovely, apricot forward cocktail, not too sweet and with a light salmony colour.