The Leave it to me balances the floral sharpness of London Dry Gin with the sweet roundness of Apricot Brandy and the fresh acidity of lemon juice. The grenadine gives it an almost creamy fruit base that doesn’t overpower the gin but carries it. A drink that says after the first sip: Trust me, I know what I’m doing. Perfect for anyone who likes gin but doesn’t want pure juniper bitterness.
And this is what you need for the Leave it to me
2 cl London Dry Gin
1 cl dry vermouth
1 cl Apricot Brandy
1 cl lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 cl grenadine
Garnish: 1 thin slice of lemon (with peel)
This is what matters
Don’t just dump the grenadine in – it needs to go *under* the gin. First add gin, vermouth and Apricot Brandy to the ice, stir briefly, then add lemon juice and grenadine. That way the layers don’t mix immediately, and the first sip delivers that typical sweet-and-sour surprise. For even more precision, you can gently fold in the grenadine with a bar spoon after everything else has been shaken. This gives the drink an almost floating texture.
Variations
- Leave it to me (herbal) — Replace the Apricot Brandy with 0.75 cl maraschino liqueur and 0.25 cl absinthe. The drink becomes drier, with a peppery note that underscores the gin.
- Leave it to me (fruity) — Swap the dry vermouth for 1 cl peach liqueur. The apricot becomes more intense, almost like a dessert drink – but the acidity keeps it fresh.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use peach liqueur instead of Apricot Brandy?
Yes, but the drink loses its typical depth. Apricot Brandy has a nutty note that peach liqueur doesn’t provide. If you go for peach, reduce the amount to 0.75 cl, otherwise it will be too sweet.
Why does my drink taste watery?
Either the ice was too old or you shook for too long. Fresh ice cubes (preferably from filtered water) and 12–15 seconds of shaking are enough. The shaker should be misted on the outside but not iced over.
Can I serve the drink stirred instead?
No. Shaking makes it airy and better blends the flavours. Stirred, it would be too flat – the fruit wouldn’t develop properly.
