Start the party with our La Valencia cocktail recipe, blending Gin, apricot brandy, and a zest of orange juice for a refreshingly bright sip!
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
194
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Gin
- ¾ oz apricot Brandy
- ¾ oz dry Vermouth
- 1 oz orange juice - freshly squeezed
- Ice cubes
- Orange twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Measuring Jigger
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Martini Glass
Instructions
- Chill Your Glass: Place your martini glass in the freezer or fill it with ice cubes to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
- Combine Ingredients: In the cocktail shaker, pour 1 oz orange juice, ¾ oz dry Vermouth, ¾ oz apricot Brandy and 1½ oz Gin.
- Shake Well: Ice up, seal your shaker and shake vigorously until the outside becomes frosty (about 15 seconds).
- Prep Your Glass: Remove your martini glass from the freezer, or if you've used ice cubes, empty the glass.
- Strain: Fine strain the cocktail mixture into your chilled glass, ensuring no ice slips in.
- Garnish: Twist an orange peel over the drink to release oils, then drop it into the glass.
Notes
Substitutes:
From my own experience tinkering with cocktails, there's always room for a bit of experimentation.- Gin: If Gin's not your thing, try a smooth vodka. It lacks the botanicals of Gin, but it'll blend nicely with the other flavors without overpowering them.
- Apricot Brandy: No apricot brandy? Peach liqueur can be a sweet, fruity substitute, though it's a tad sweeter than apricot.
- Dry Vermouth: White wine can step in if you're out of dry vermouth. Opt for a dry one, and remember, it's less potent than vermouth, so the alcohol content drops a bit.
Making a Pitcher of La Valencia:
Scaling up is simple. For a pitcher serving 8:- 12 oz Gin
- 6 oz Apricot Brandy
- 6 oz Dry Vermouth
- 8 oz Orange Juice
- Mix in a large pitcher, stir it well, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, stir again, pour into individual chilled martini glasses, garnish, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
Mocktails can be as fun as the real thing!- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin or seedlip for a similar flavor profile.
- Apricot Brandy: Swap for non-alcoholic fruit syrup or a fruit-flavored herbal tea, cooled down.
- Dry Vermouth: Replace with non-alcoholic white wine or white grape juice with a splash of lemon juice for some tang.
- Combine as directed.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail should be vegan-friendly as written, but be mindful of a few things:- Alcohol: Some brands use animal products in processing. Double-check your labels to ensure each is genuinely vegan.
- Orange Juice: Fresh is best for both taste and ethics. Prepackaged juices can contain additives or processing agents of animal origin.
What is the La Valencia Cocktail?
A La Valencia Cocktail combines Gin, Apricot Brandy, and Vermouth, balanced by the citrusy zest of fresh orange juice. This cocktail’s origins remain mysterious, but its balanced blend of flavors speaks to a classic sophistication appreciated over the years. The name “La Valencia” might evoke images of sun-soaked Spanish coastlines, yet the drink’s universal appeal and refreshing taste have cemented its place in cocktails.
What is in the La Valencia Cocktail – The ingredients
Prepare these ingredients to make your La Valencia Cocktail:
- Gin: Provides the foundational spirit of the cocktail, introducing a botanical complexity.
- Apricot Brandy: Infuses the drink with a sweet, fruity depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Dry Vermouth: Offers a subtle herbal quality and dryness, balancing the sweetness from the brandy.
- Orange Juice: Adds a citrusy zest, brightening the cocktail and tying the flavors together.
- Ice Cubes: Chill and slightly dilute the mixture for a refreshing sip.
- Orange twist (for garnish, optional): Contributes a fragrant citrus note and an elegant visual touch to the finished drink.
