Old Friend
CLASSIC · HAYMAN'S LONDON DRY GIN

Old Friend

A gin-based aperitif that strikes a confident balance between the tartness of pink grapefruit, the floral lift of elderflower, and the pleasantly bitter edge of red bitter liqueur - light enough for a warm evening, interesting enough to keep you coming back.

Ingredients
Campari15 ml
Grapefruit zest twist
Glassware
Coupe glass
Chilled.
Flavor
BODYSWEETFRUITACIDHEATSMOKEEARTHBITTER

Elderflower · Grapefruit

Estimated profile

Method
  1. 1

    Add gin, pink grapefruit juice, red bitter liqueur, and elderflower liqueur to a cocktail shaker.

  2. 2

    Fill with ice and shake hard for 10–12 seconds.

  3. 3

    Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.

  4. 4

    Express a grapefruit zest twist over the surface of the drink to release the oils, then place on the rim as garnish.

From the Bartender

The Old Friend originated in Aspen, Colorado, and is considered a modern classic in the aperitivo genre - the combination of elderflower and Campari-style bitter with grapefruit is deceptively simple but exceptionally well-balanced.

Rating
Be the first to log this drink.
Open the app → tap the cocktail → log a sip.
Try next

Cocktails like this one

Enzoni
Fresh green grapes

Enzoni

Bright and bittersweet, with juicy green-grape fruitiness and a sharp citrus lift underpinned by the herbal, piney character of gin and the bold, bitter orange weight of Campari. Refreshing and complex, with a clean, dry finish.

London Calling
London Dry Gin

London Calling

Bright and citrus-forward with a dry, almost savory edge from the fino sherry, undercut by herbal gin botanicals and a whisper of bitter orange. The grapefruit zest lifts the finish into something aromatic and refreshingly complex.

Garibaldi Negroni
Gin

Garibaldi Negroni

Bright and bittersweet, with Campari's herbal orange intensity softened by a wave of fresh citrus juice and lifted by gin's botanical depth. Refreshing and approachable, it finishes with lingering bitter orange oils and a dry, pleasantly complex fade.

Elderflower Collins
London Dry Gin

Elderflower Collins

Delicately floral and brightly citrusy, with elderflower's honeyed sweetness meeting fresh lemon tartness in perfect balance, while a subtle maraschino undercurrent adds depth and a long, effervescent finish makes every sip feel effortlessly refreshing.

Make this from your shelf

Scan your bottles, learn what you can pour right now.

My Bar Shelf reads your shelf and shows you every cocktail you can make from what you already own, including Old Friend.