Angel Face
The Angel Face is an elegant and deceptively potent cocktail made from equal parts gin, apricot brandy, and Calvados. It offers a sophisticated flavor profile that balances the botanical notes of gin with the fruity sweetness of apricot and the dry, crisp apple essence of Calvados. This classic drink is served straight up, providing a smooth and harmonious sipping experience for those who appreciate spirit-driven cocktails.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Angel Face is a classic cocktail, categorized as an "All Day Cocktail" by the International Bartenders Association. It is a spirit-forward drink typically served as an aperitif or for sophisticated sipping.
Serving
This is a potent, spirit-forward drink served cold and straight up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Its alcohol content is relatively high, making for a sophisticated sipping experience.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe or Cocktail Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The Angel Face first appeared in Harry Craddock's influential "The Savoy Cocktail Book" in 1930. The name is rumored to be a reference to a notorious Prohibition-era gangster, Abe "Angel Face" Kaminsky, who was a member of Detroit's Purple Gang. Despite its heavenly name, the cocktail's potent combination of three spirits gives it a considerable kick.
Origin
Believed to have originated in London, England, at the American Bar in the Savoy Hotel around the 1920s or 1930s.
Angel Face
The drink is primarily known as the Angel Face, with Angel's Face Cocktail being a slight and less common variation of the name. It maintains its original English name across different languages. There are no other significant alternative names for this classic cocktail.
Original name
Angel Face
Alternative name
Angel's Face Cocktail
Characteristics overview
The Angel Face presents a delightful aroma of fruit and botanicals, leading to a balanced flavor of apple, apricot, and juniper. It has a smooth, silky texture and a clean, warming aftertaste, making it a classic, all-season cocktail.
Flavor
Fruity, botanical, slightly sweet, apple, apricot, juniper, complex
Aroma
Aromatic, fruity, apple, apricot, gin botanicals
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet, dry
Aftertaste
Smooth, clean, warming, lingering fruit notes
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale gold, clear, amber hue
Texture
Silky, smooth
Seasonality
All-season, classic
Flavor intensity & Experience
This is a spirit-forward cocktail with a prominent fruity character from apple and apricot, balanced by a gentle sweetness and a strong alcoholic presence. It is not sour, bitter, or spicy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail requires just three ingredients in equal parts: gin, apricot brandy (liqueur), and Calvados (apple brandy). The quality of each spirit will significantly impact the final taste.
- Gin30 ml / 1 ozA classic London Dry Gin works well.
- Apricot Brandy30 ml / 1 ozAlso known as apricot liqueur. Choose a quality brand for best results.
- Calvados30 ml / 1 ozAn apple brandy from Normandy, France. Other apple brandies can be substituted.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need a cocktail shaker to combine and chill the ingredients, a jigger for accurate measurements, and a strainer for a clean pour.
- Cocktail shaker - for chilling and combining the ingredients.
- Jigger - for measuring the ingredients.
- Strainer (Hawthorne and Fine) - for pouring the chilled liquid into the glass without ice shards.
Instructions
The preparation involves chilling a glass, shaking all three ingredients with ice, and then double-straining into the prepared glass. A garnish can be added before serving.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Add the gin, apricot brandy, and Calvados to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass to remove any ice chips.
7. Garnish with a thin slice of apple or a lemon twist, if desired.
Garnishing
The Angel Face is often served ungarnished, but a thin slice of apple or an expressed lemon twist can be added. These garnishes complement the fruity and botanical notes of the drink.
- Apple slice or apple fan - to complement the Calvados.
- Lemon twist (optional) - to add a bright citrus aroma.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is naturally alcoholic, caffeine-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan. It is generally considered gluten-free as it is made entirely from distilled spirits and liqueurs.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail contains around 200 calories per serving, primarily from alcohol and the sugar in the apricot liqueur. The carbohydrate and sugar content are relatively low for a cocktail.
Calories
Approximately 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 9-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 9-12 g
Sugar level
Occasions
The Angel Face is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail party or as an elegant aperitif before dinner. Its smooth, spirit-forward character also makes it an excellent choice for quiet, contemplative sipping.
- Cocktail Party
- Aperitif
- Sophisticated Sipping
Pairing suggestions
The Angel Face pairs well with savory and mild flavors that won't overpower its delicate profile. Consider serving it with a platter of mild cheeses, charcuterie, or simple roasted nuts before a meal.
- Mild cheeses (like Gruyère or Comté)
- Charcuterie
- Light appetizers
- Nuts
The Angel Face: A Heavenly Classic with a Devilish Kick
The Angel Face is a sophisticated and harmonious classic cocktail from the Prohibition era. Its simple, equal-parts recipe of gin, apricot brandy, and Calvados creates a surprisingly complex flavor profile, balancing botanical, stone fruit, and apple notes. Served straight up in a chilled coupe, it's a potent yet smooth sipper perfect for those who appreciate spirit-forward drinks. Its elegant character makes it an excellent choice for a classy aperitif or a quiet evening drink.
Variations
Similar Cocktails
You May Also Like
Mimosa
A simple and elegant sparkling wine cocktail made with chilled orange juice, perfect for brunch and celebrations.
Gin and Ginger
A simple and refreshingly spicy highball that pairs the botanical notes of gin with the warm sweetness of ginger ale.
Kir Royale
An elegant and simple French sparkling cocktail made with crème de cassis and topped with Champagne.
Margarita
A classic and refreshing cocktail that perfectly balances the tangy taste of lime, the sweetness of orange liqueur, and the distinct character of tequila.
Have You Tried These Yet?
Foggy Bottom
A bold and herbal modern classic cocktail featuring gin, Green Chartreuse, and lime.
Golden Glove
A sophisticated and spirit-forward cocktail balancing the smokiness of Scotch with the funk of Jamaican rum, nutty sherry, and bright orange.
Delmonico Cocktail
A sophisticated and historic cocktail blending gin and brandy with sweet vermouth and bitters for a complex, spirit-forward taste.
Slingback
A sophisticated and refreshing gin cocktail with intriguing notes of celery, chamomile, and fresh grapefruit.