Amelia Cocktail

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.
Amelia 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.

Similar cocktails

Aviation

The classic gin-based cocktail that inspired the Amelia, made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice.

Bramble

A modern classic by Dick Bradsell featuring gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and a drizzle of crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur).

Clover Club

A pre-Prohibition classic with gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and traditionally an egg white for texture.

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