Amelia Cocktail

Name: Amelia Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 45 ml / 1.5 oz Vodka; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Blackberry Purée

Ingredients Instructions

The Amelia is a modern classic that beautifully balances the clean taste of vodka with the floral notes of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, the tartness of fresh lemon juice, and the sweet, earthy depth of blackberry. Created by Toby Cecchini, it is often seen as a contemporary, more approachable cousin to the classic Aviation cocktail. Its vibrant color and balanced flavor profile make it a sophisticated yet accessible choice. It's a perfect example of a well-crafted modern vodka cocktail.

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Amelia is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It is a contemporary creation that has gained recognition in the bartending community for its balanced and appealing flavor profile.

Serving

Serve this moderately strong, cold cocktail in a chilled coupe glass to maintain its temperature and showcase its beautiful color. The drink is served 'up', without ice.

Serving size

Approximately 120-150 ml (4-5 oz)

Alcohol content

Approximately 18-22% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

The Amelia cocktail was created in 2005 by Toby Cecchini, the same bartender famous for inventing the Cosmopolitan. He named it after Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviator, as a direct nod to the classic Aviation cocktail, which it riffs upon. Cecchini developed the drink for a bar in New York City, creating a vodka-based alternative with a more modern, fruit-forward profile.

Origin

The Amelia Cocktail was created in New York City, USA, in the year 2005 by bartender Toby Cecchini.

Amelia Cocktail

The drink is consistently known as the Amelia Cocktail, with no common alternative names.

Original name

Amelia Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Amelia presents a vibrant purple appearance with a smooth texture, offering a refreshing balance of sweet berry and floral aromas against a tart citrus backbone. Its flavor is bright and clean, making it a perfect choice for warmer seasons.

Flavor

Fruity, floral, tart, sweet, balanced

Aroma

Berry, elderflower, citrus

Taste balance

Sweet, sour

Aftertaste

Clean, crisp, lingering floral berry

Fizziness

None

Color appearance

Opaque, deep purple, magenta

Texture

Smooth, slightly rich

Seasonality

Refreshing, spring, summer

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a fruit-forward and moderately sweet and sour cocktail with a noticeable but not overpowering alcohol strength. It is completely still, with no bitterness, saltiness, or spice.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

To make an Amelia, you will need vodka as the base spirit, St-Germain for floral sweetness, fresh lemon juice for tartness, and blackberry purée for fruitiness and color.

Vodka45 ml / 1.5 oz
A clean, high-quality vodka works best to not overpower the other ingredients.
St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
This specific liqueur provides the signature floral notes.
Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
Freshly squeezed is essential for brightness and balance.
Blackberry Purée15 ml / 0.5 oz
Can be made by blending fresh blackberries. Alternatively, muddle 2-3 fresh blackberries directly in the shaker.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar tools for a shaken cocktail: a cocktail shaker to mix and chill, a jigger for measuring, and a fine-mesh strainer for a smooth texture.

Cocktail shaker: for chilling and combining ingredients.
Jigger: for accurate measurement.
Fine-mesh strainer: for double-straining to remove fruit pulp and ice shards.

Instructions

The process involves adding all ingredients to an ice-filled shaker, shaking well until chilled, and then double-straining into a prepared coupe glass before garnishing.

1. Chill your coupe glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

2. Add vodka, St-Germain, fresh lemon juice, and blackberry purée to a cocktail shaker.

3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice until it's about two-thirds full.

4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.

5. Double strain the mixture through the shaker's built-in strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.

6. Garnish by floating a single fresh blackberry on the surface of the drink.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a single fresh blackberry floated on the surface adds an elegant touch and hints at the drink's ingredients.

Fresh blackberry: Float a single fresh blackberry on top of the drink.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. Assuming a gluten-free certified vodka is used, it is also gluten-free, making it suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily from the elderflower liqueur and blackberry purée. It is not considered a low-calorie or low-sugar option.

Calories

Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 15-18g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 13-16g

Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is versatile, perfectly suited for warm-weather occasions like summer parties, but its sophisticated character also makes it ideal for elegant gatherings, cocktail hour, or a romantic date night.

Summer party
Cocktail hour
Elegant gathering
Date night

Pairing suggestions

The Amelia's bright and fruity profile pairs well with light appetizers. Consider serving it with tangy goat cheese, fresh salads, or simple grilled seafood to complement its flavors without overwhelming them.

Goat cheese crostini
Light salads with vinaigrette dressing
Grilled shrimp or scallops

Amelia Cocktail: A Modern Flight of Flavor

The Amelia Cocktail is a standout modern creation that offers a delightful alternative to gin-based floral cocktails. It masterfully combines the clean slate of vodka with the complex floral notes of St-Germain and the vibrant, sweet-tart character of blackberry and lemon. Its beautiful magenta color makes it visually stunning, while the balanced flavor makes it incredibly drinkable and refreshing. It's a sophisticated yet approachable drink that proves vodka cocktails can be both elegant and complex.