French Riviera Cocktail Drink

French Riviera Cocktail

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by
Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Are you craving a fancy drink? Try this easy recipe for the French Riviera Cocktail! Its unique ingredients create a tasty and simple-to-prepare cocktail.

French Riviera Cocktail Recipe

Enjoy the French Riviera Cocktail recipe this fall! Blend Cognac, Gold Rum, lemon juice, honey syrup, simple syrup, and apricot jam for a delightful seasonal drink.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

233 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Cognac
  • 1 oz Gold Rum
  • ½ oz fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz honey syrup
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • 1 tsp apricot jam
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Strainer
  • Old Fashioned Glass

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Stir some ice into your old fashioned glass.
  • Add Apricot Jam: Add 1 tsp apricot jam to the shaker.
  • Add Syrups: Pour in ½ oz honey syrup and ½ oz simple syrup.
  • Add Lemon Juice: Add ½ oz fresh lemon juice to the mix.
  • Add Gold Rum: Measure and pour 1 oz Gold Rum into the shaker.
  • Add Cognac: Pour 1 oz Cognac into the shaker.
  • Prep Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake Well: Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the cocktail into your old fashioned glass over fresh ice.
  • Garnish: Garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Cognac: If you don't have cognac, opt for any other wine brandy, they will offer a similar flavor profile.
  • Gold Rum: White rum can work if you're out of gold rum, though it will be lighter in flavor.
  • Honey Syrup: You can use agave syrup instead of honey syrup for a different sweetness level and texture.
  • Simple Syrup: Maple syrup can be an exciting alternative to simple syrup, adding a unique flavor twist.
  • Apricot Jam: Peach jam or even orange marmalade can replace apricot jam if needed.

Making a Pitcher of French Riviera Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of cognac, 8 oz of gold rum, 4 oz of fresh lemon juice, 4 oz of honey syrup, 4 oz of simple syrup, and 8 tsp of apricot jam.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the cognac, gold rum, lemon juice, honey syrup, simple syrup, and apricot jam. Stir well until the jam is fully dissolved.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled old fashioned, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Cognac Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic brandy substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic the brandy's depth.
  • Gold Rum Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic rum alternative.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Honey Syrup Substitute: Replace honey syrup with agave or maple syrup to make this cocktail vegan-friendly.
  • Proceed As Usual: Follow the original steps using agave or maple syrup instead of honey syrup and make sure your simple syrup is made with vegan-friendly sugar to enjoy a vegan version of this delightful cocktail.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
233
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
13
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
28
g
9
%
Fiber
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
 
26
g
29
%
Potassium
 
39
mg
1
%
Protein
 
0.1
g
0
%
Vitamin A
 
17
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
5
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%

 

French Riviera Cocktail Drink

French Riviera Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Enjoy the French Riviera Cocktail recipe this fall! Blend Cognac, Gold Rum, lemon juice, honey syrup, simple syrup, and apricot jam for a delightful seasonal drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 233

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Cognac
  • 1 oz Gold Rum
  • ½ oz fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz honey syrup
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • 1 tsp apricot jam
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Strainer
  • Old Fashioned Glass

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Stir some ice into your old fashioned glass.
  • Add Apricot Jam: Add 1 tsp apricot jam to the shaker.
  • Add Syrups: Pour in ½ oz honey syrup and ½ oz simple syrup.
  • Add Lemon Juice: Add ½ oz fresh lemon juice to the mix.
  • Add Gold Rum: Measure and pour 1 oz Gold Rum into the shaker.
  • Add Cognac: Pour 1 oz Cognac into the shaker.
  • Prep Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake Well: Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the cocktail into your old fashioned glass over fresh ice.
  • Garnish: Garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Cognac: If you don't have cognac, opt for any other wine brandy, they will offer a similar flavor profile.
  • Gold Rum: White rum can work if you're out of gold rum, though it will be lighter in flavor.
  • Honey Syrup: You can use agave syrup instead of honey syrup for a different sweetness level and texture.
  • Simple Syrup: Maple syrup can be an exciting alternative to simple syrup, adding a unique flavor twist.
  • Apricot Jam: Peach jam or even orange marmalade can replace apricot jam if needed.

Making a Pitcher of French Riviera Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of cognac, 8 oz of gold rum, 4 oz of fresh lemon juice, 4 oz of honey syrup, 4 oz of simple syrup, and 8 tsp of apricot jam.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the cognac, gold rum, lemon juice, honey syrup, simple syrup, and apricot jam. Stir well until the jam is fully dissolved.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled old fashioned, garnish with lemon twists, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Cognac Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic brandy substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic the brandy's depth.
  • Gold Rum Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic rum alternative.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Honey Syrup Substitute: Replace honey syrup with agave or maple syrup to make this cocktail vegan-friendly.
  • Proceed As Usual: Follow the original steps using agave or maple syrup instead of honey syrup and make sure your simple syrup is made with vegan-friendly sugar to enjoy a vegan version of this delightful cocktail.

What is a French Riviera Cocktail?

A French Riviera Cocktail is a Cognac and Rum-based drink made of cognac, gold rum, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, simple syrup, and apricot jam. It’s easy to make because the ingredients are easy to find, and the preparation steps are straightforward. This cocktail offers an elegant blend of flavors that balance sweetness with citrusy notes for a sophisticated drinking experience.

A side shot of a French Riviera cocktail in an old fashioned glass on a wooden tray and surface surrounded by a jigger, four sugar cubes, and a red napkin

What is a French Riviera Cocktail made of – The ingredients

Collect these ingredients to create a French Riviera Cocktail:

  • Cognac: Adds depth and richness to the cocktail.
  • Gold Rum: Brings a smooth, sweet flavor that complements the cognac.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides a refreshing citrusy tang.
  • Honey Syrup: Adds natural sweetness and a hint of floral notes.
  • Simple Syrup: Balances the tartness of the lemon juice with additional sweetness.
  • Apricot Jam: Introduces a fruity element and enhances the overall texture.

Cognac, gold rum, lemon juice, honey syrup, simple syrup, apricot jam, and lemon laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a French Riviera Cocktail?

Craft your own French Riviera Cocktail with our straightforward instructions:

1
<p>Chill your old fashioned glass.</p>

Chill your old fashioned glass.

2
<p>Spoon into a shaker 1 tsp of apricot jam.</p>

Spoon into a shaker 1 tsp of apricot jam.

3
<p>Pour in ½ oz of honey syrup.</p>

Pour in ½ oz of honey syrup.

4
<p>Add ½ oz of simple syrup to the mix.</p>

Add ½ oz of simple syrup to the mix.

5
<p>Squeeze and add ½ oz of fresh lemon juice.</p>

Squeeze and add ½ oz of fresh lemon juice.

6
<p>Measure and add 1 oz of gold rum to the shaker.</p>

Measure and add 1 oz of gold rum to the shaker.

7
<p>Pour 1 oz of cognac into the shaker.</p>

Pour 1 oz of cognac into the shaker.

8
<p>Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes to chill the mixture.</p>

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes to chill the mixture.

9
<p>Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds to combine all the ingredients well.</p>

Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds to combine all the ingredients well.

10
<p>Strain the cocktail into the old fashioned glass over fresh ice.</p>

Strain the cocktail into the old fashioned glass over fresh ice.

11
<p>Garnish with a lemon twist for an elegant finish.</p>

Garnish with a lemon twist for an elegant finish.

History and Origin of the French Riviera Cocktail

Tom Byrne created it in 2015 in London, he mixed cognac and rum with a combination of sweeteners and lemon juice, delivering a luxurious and vibrant cocktail.

A French Riviera cocktail, shot from above, in an oldd fashioned glass on a beige surface surrounded by cognac, gold rum, lemon juice, honey syrup, simple syrup, apricot jam, sugar cubes and lemon

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FAQ

How many calories are in a French Riviera Cocktail?
The drink typically contains around 190-250 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used.
How strong is the French Riviera Cocktail?
Its alcohol by volume (ABV) is approximately 15-20%, which translates to about 30-40 proof.
What alcohol is used in a French Riviera Cocktail?
This cocktail uses cognac and gold rum as its primary spirits.
In which glass is a French Riviera Cocktail served?
Bartenders usually serve a French Riviera Cocktail in an old fashioned glass.
What does a French Riviera Cocktail taste like?
The cocktail offers a balanced flavor profile with notes of sweetness from the honey syrup and apricot jam, citrusy tang from the lemon juice, and depth from the cognac and rum.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a French Riviera Cocktail?
The typical ratio is 1 oz Cognac, 1 oz Gold Rum, ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice, ½ oz Honey Syrup, ½ oz Simple Syrup, and 1 tsp Apricot Jam.
How is a French Riviera Cocktail served?
Serve the cocktail over ice to keep it chilled and refreshing.

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