Valencia Cocktail
A delightful fruit-forward cocktail that highlights the sweet, lush flavor of apricot brandy, balanced by a splash of fresh orange juice and aromatic orange bitters. Named after the famous Spanish city known for its sweet oranges, this drink makes for a perfect golden-hued aperitif or dessert accompaniment.
What it tastes like
The aroma is dominated by ripe apricot and faint citrus zest. On the palate, the texture is dense and sweet, followed by a mild tartness from the orange juice. It concludes with a brief, fruity finish and a subtle hint of spice from the bitters.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Apricot brandy1.5 oz
- Orange juice1 tbsp
- Orange bitters2 dashes
Preparation
- 1
Chill a martini glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
- 2
Fill a cocktail shaker with fresh ice cubes.
- 3
Add the apricot brandy, orange juice, and orange bitters to the shaker.
- 4
Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- 5
Discard the ice from the prepared glass.
- 6
Strain the cocktail smoothly into the chilled glass.
- 7
Serve immediately, optionally garnished with an orange twist.
Substitutions
- Apricot brandyPeach liqueur — This results in a softer, more floral profile with less earthy depth than apricot.
- Orange juiceLemon juice — The drink becomes significantly more tart and loses the citrus harmony.
- Orange bittersAngostura bitters — This adds a herbal, spicy note that grounds the sweetness of the fruit.
Variations
Sparkling Valencia
Top the shaken mixture with dry sparkling wine to add carbonation and reduce the overall sweetness.
Gin Valencia
Add one ounce of dry gin to increase the alcohol content and introduce piney, botanical notes.