The Angel Face is one of the cocktail world's overlooked classics. First appearing in the early twentieth century and later featured in the famous Savoy Cocktail Book, it belongs to a family of spirit-forward drinks that rely on balance, quality ingredients and simplicity. Like the Negroni, it follows an equal-parts formula, creating a cocktail that is both easy to make and beautifully refined.
Traditionally composed of gin, apple brandy and apricot liqueur, the Angel Face offers a rich combination of orchard fruit, gentle sweetness and botanical complexity. Each ingredient plays an important role. The gin brings freshness, structure and aromatic depth. The apple brandy contributes crisp fruit character and a warming richness, while the apricot element adds a soft stone-fruit sweetness that rounds the drink and lingers on the finish.
Our version combines Great Bustard Gin, our own Eau de Vie de Cidre and apricot brandy. Together they capture the essence of autumn in a glass. The apple notes from the Eau de Vie reflect the harvest season and local orchards, while the apricot brandy provides a mellow, golden sweetness reminiscent of late-season fruit. Great Bustard Gin adds a dry, botanical backbone that keeps the cocktail balanced and elegant.
Served ice cold in a chilled cocktail glass, the Angel Face feels both comforting and sophisticated. It is the perfect drink for crisp evenings, when the days begin to shorten and the landscape starts to change colour. Rich, balanced and full of character, it deserves to sit alongside the great classic cocktails.
Ease of Making: Easy, amend quantities as needed.
Glass Type: Coupe or Nika Nora
Taste: Smooth, aromatic, and quietly complex. When balanced correctly, it’s dry yet rich, with a long, warm finish.
Recipe:
- 30ml Great Bustard Gin.
- 30ml Eau de vie de Cidre.
- 30ml Apricot Liqueur or Brandy.
Method:
- Place all the ingredients into a Japanese mixing glass or cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and stir slowly – chilling the liquid.
- Strain into your glass.
- Garnish with either with fresh apple or dried apple slice.
