Lita Grey Cocktail

Named after the second wife of Charlie Chaplin, but still a relatively modern recipe, the Lita Grey Cocktail looks for classic style but with newer fashions. This cocktail has some fruity elements thanks to the Sloe Gin and Apricot Liqueur, this cocktail is really enjoyable and a lot of fun to make and drink.

There's some surprising fruity elements to this cocktail thanks to the mingling of Sloe Berries, Lemon, and Apricot, so there's quite a bit of fun in there. If you're not really into fruit though, don't be scared! There's enough Gin flavour in there to make this drink enjoyable for anyone.

Total Time 5

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

20 mL Gin
20 mL Apricot Liqueur
20 mL Sloe Gin
20 mL Lemon Juice
60 mL Champagne

Instructions

Add everything to except Champagne to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold.
Strain into a Coupe glass.
Top up with Champagne.
Serve, drink, enjoy.

Notes

The Rita Grey Cocktail comes from Austin, Texas bar Péché, this cocktail is not as old as it would appear. It's actually a relatively recent creation. However, as mentioned, the Lita Grey Cocktail seeks to take classic tastes and styles into account. Don't call it old fashioned though!

We Have More To Say About the Lita Grey Cocktail

We like a cocktail that’s topped up with a little bit of Champagne, it adds a touch of class to everything. Although the Lita Grey Cocktail doesn’t need anymore class at all! We also like this recipe because of its creative use of ingredients. It’s not the only cocktail out there to feature Apricot Liqueur or Sloe Gin, but you don’t see these spirits come out nearly enough! And that’s what makes this recipe a little more modern than it first appears. So many older cocktails rely on the Big Four of Gin, Whiskey, Vodka, or Rum, and then combine them with a relatively small subset of various liqueurs and flavours out there. The Lita Grey Cocktail branches out a little bit with some more interesting flavours.

Is making more than one Rita Grey cocktail at once doable?

Yes, that’s doable. Just make sure you don’t overfill your cocktail shaker. Keep the amount of cocktails you’re making at once to only two or three. Any more than that and you’ll have trouble actually shaking things in your cocktail shaker.

If I make a Lita Grey Cocktail in advance, will it be OK.

Probably. We’re always wary of making any shaken cocktails, especially with citrus, ahead of time. One of the nice things about cocktails, beyond the taste, is the texture, and letting a shaking cocktail sit to long changes that. Don’t leave a Lita Grey Cocktail for too long before drinking it.

What’s your favourite time to have a Lita Grey Cocktail?

Although it was invented in Texas, the Lita Grey Cocktail is a nod back to classic Hollywood. Lita Grey herself was born in Hollywood and, despite not having the longest list of acting credits to her name, lived a life heavily influenced by old time Hollywood. She actually appears to have left the Hollywood life after her divorce from Charlie Chaplin, but she was still famous for it. Perhaps the cocktail is less about old Hollywood and more about scandal and a young woman being taken advantage of.

We think a good timing for trying one of these cocktails out is in Hollywood itself. The town is full of stories like Lita Grey’s. Maybe this is a good drink to have in an upscale Hollywood bar, seeing if you can see anybody of interest. Sip away at this drink while discovering some of the scandal the town has to offer.

How strong is the Lita Grey Cocktail?

This cocktail splits its main alcohol in three with 20 mL each of Gin, Apricot Liqueur, and Sloe Gin. It then adds a little bit more at the end with the Champagne, but it’s relatively small compared to the two types of Gin. We wouldn’t say the Lita Grey Cocktail is terribly strong though. It comes in at about the same as other cocktails. Things could be diluted a little bit more to weaken the drink in terms of ABV, but that’s not a must for cocktails (think classics like the Old Fashioned which has almost no dilution). So while this recipe does pack a punch, it’s no worse than most other recipes you’ll encounter. It’s average in strength.

What’s the best music for a Lita Grey Cocktail?

We’ll stay old here and say old Hollywood film scores! Even silent film music. It’s a dramatic type of music that may be a little out of place for a cocktail, but this recipe is trying hard to reach back to the time and place, so why not grab it and keep going?

If you’re having a Hollywood themed party at home, you’ll need a good selection of Hollywood style cocktails and movie music. The Lita Grey Cocktail would be a good addition to that kind of party and, while they’re being served, put on some old Hollywood music. It will definitely be a change of pace for the party, and maybe a little bit welcome.