A drink that tastes of a summer evening: London Dry Gin provides a robust base, apricot brandy adds sweet depth, grenadine rounds off with gentle fruit notes, and lemon juice delivers the necessary punch. The apricot slice on a skewer isn’t just for show – it releases more aroma when dipped into the drink for the last sip. Perfect for the transition from the bar to the night.
And here’s what you need for the Good Night Ladies
1.5 cl London Dry Gin
0.5 cl apricot brandy
0.5 cl grenadine
0.5 cl lemon juice
ice cubes
1 thin apricot slice (fresh or preserved)
What matters
Apricot brandy isn’t a liqueur, but a fruit brandy – it contains less sugar and more alcohol than a typical fruit liqueur. You’ll notice this in the drink: the fruit comes through more clearly without feeling cloying. If you can’t find apricot brandy, use 0.5 cl pear brandy (Poire Williams) instead – it has a similar texture but a lighter, almost floral note. Important: the apricot slice should be thin so it doesn’t become too dominant. Fresh apricots taste more intense than preserved ones, but the latter keep longer and are more practical for the bar.
Variations
- Good Night Gentlemen — Replace the London Dry Gin with 1.5 cl Bourbon Whiskey and the apricot brandy with 0.5 cl peach liqueur. Keep the grenadine, increase the lemon juice to 0.75 cl. Garnish: a thin peach slice. The drink becomes smoother and sweeter, with a light vanilla note from the bourbon.
- Good Night Summer — Add 2 cl chilled hibiscus tea and reduce the gin to 1 cl. Omit the grenadine, instead use 0.25 cl elderflower syrup. Garnish: a fresh apricot, halved and lightly pressed to release the fruit’s aroma. A lighter, more floral twist for warm evenings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the apricot brandy with marillenlikör?
Yes, but adjust the quantity: marillenlikör is sweeter and less alcoholic. Use only 0.3 cl and reduce the grenadine to 0.3 cl to avoid an excess of sweetness. The drink will lose some depth but gain in fruitiness.
Why should the shaker be pre-chilled?
A cold shaker prevents the ice from melting too quickly and diluting the drink. Metal conducts heat efficiently – if it’s cold itself, the temperature inside the shaker remains stable longer. The result is a clearer, more concentrated flavor.
Can I prepare the drink without alcohol?
For an alcohol-free version, use 2 cl alcohol-free gin, 0.5 cl apricot syrup (not brandy!) and increase the grenadine to 0.75 cl. Keep the lemon juice the same. The drink will be sweeter, but the balance of fruit and acidity remains intact.
