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Charlie Chaplin

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (125)
Charlie Chaplin image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 fl oz Luxardo Apricot Albicocca Liqueur
1 fl oz Hayman's Sloe Gin liqueur
1 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1/4 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water (omit if using wet ice)

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 apricot wedge or dried apricot half.

Method

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

Garnish

  1. Garnish with apricot wedge or dried apricot half on rim.

Flavour Profile

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

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Charlie Chaplin contains 139 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 0.9 standard drinks
  • 12.67% alc./vol. (25.34° proof)
  • 13.3 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

Named after Sir Charles Spencer 'Charlie' Chaplin (1889-1977), the English slapstick comic actor of the silent film era, who was at the height of his career when this eponymous cocktail was created at New York's old Waldorf-Astoria prior to 1920. This recipe is adapted from Albert Stevens Crockett's 1935 The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN
One-third Lime Juice
One-third Sloe Gin
One-third Apricot Brandy

Albert Stevens Crockett, 1935


More cocktails by Albert Stevens Crockett

Review

Dilution is key to this fruity sweet 'n' sour cocktail, hence, depending on your ice, the Charlie Chaplin may benefit from the addition of a splash of water prior to shaking.

Cocktail of the day:

16th April 2026 is Charlie Chaplin's birthday

Variations/similar cocktails

Right Charlie

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$2.60 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

Frank Caiafa
I updated this classic recipe years ago on the menu at Peacock Alley by adding an ounce of London dry gin to it for spine and up level. Definitely worth a try. Cheers!
score: 3
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
That’s a great call, Frank. It could do with some added oomph. Please can you share your recipe with us.
score: 1
Frank Caiafa
Here you go Simon:

Charlie Chaplin (In Technicolor)
.75 oz. Hayman's London dry gin
.75 oz. Luxardo Apricot Albicocca Liqueur
.75 oz. Hayman's Sloe Gin liqueur
.75 oz. fresh lime juice

Add all ingredients to mixing glass. Add ice and shake well. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. No garnish.

Cheers!
score: 1
Simon Difford Simon Difford Continue thread (1 reply)
trendomexico Premium Member
Cant't believe I hadn't been here, since the Chaplin is one of my all time favorites, and maybe the only reason why I keep always Sloe Gin in my bottle library. Nowadays instead of Giffard's I use Juliette since in my country Giffard was in a fight with distributors and never came back. Is sweet, it smiles all the time, and make move my moustache as long as I swing with my feet in different directions topped with my bowler.
score: 1
Mike Premium Member
Fruity, light, sweet and tart. If you’re a booze hound, expect a very light mouthfeel compared to your Manhattan, OF or Martini. Great summer cocktail.

Plymouth sloe gin, Gifford apricot, Mexican limes
score: 1
Jacques Gaudin Premium Member
I tried this alongside the Right Charlie version with lemon juice. My preference goes to the latter although the difference is not huge. A deliious not-too-boozy drink in both cases.
score: 2
Walter Brookbank
I love this drink, tart and sour but the sloe gin adds a touch of sweetness to it, nicely balanced but next time I will do 1 oz each instead of 3/4 oz to last a little longer. I do a hard shake for 60 times to get the necessary dilution. Happy Birthday Charlie!
score: 0
AJ Premium Member
Delightful! The tartness was a giggly surprise. Perhaps a bit too tart but this could be on the lime, however nothing to take umbrage over. Gave me the snap up from your sip and exclaim “that’s good” reaction, which is always a joy to have. Love vintage/classics so while it was tasty, zippy and generally delightful it was also nice to make something our fore-tenders did decades ago.
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
Wow! 🤩. The flavours work brilliantly together. Fresh and zingy and lovely. Need to watch the lime, depending on your fruit. Final quantity was quite small, better suited to a Nick & Nora.
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
Note: I assume this is actually a stirred cocktail?
score: 1
Marie-Therese Straus
For some reason, I was expecting this to fall on the sweet or even cloying side of the cocktail equation but this is zesty and bright and perfect for a warm spring evening. The Luxardo Albicocca is just fantastic here-so fragrant and faintly nutty; it really helps to round out the cocktail and keep it from seeming too tart.
score: 2
Jack Reid
Luxardo Albicocca & Hayman's. Made this and the Right Charlie. This tasted slightly more tart and the gin showed through more. My wife preferred this version but I preferred the Right Charlie. Either way, they are both very good drinks.
score: 3

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Difford’s Shop logo
$2.60 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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