Imperial Cocktail
The Imperial Cocktail is a medium gin sour, tart and fruity on the palate. Shaken and served in a cocktail glass.
- 3 min
- Cocktail glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 83 out of 100
- Sweet
- 72 out of 100
- Fruity
- 76 out of 100
- Bitter
- 74 out of 100
- Boozy
- 33 out of 100
How to make an Imperial Cocktail
To make an Imperial Cocktail, shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: 1⅓ oz lime juice, ⅔ oz gin and 1⅓ oz Aperol.
You'll need
- Lime juice1⅓ oz
- Gin⅔ oz
- Aperol1⅓ oz
Instructions
- 1
Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Add lime juice, gin and Aperol to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.
Why shake? Lime juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Imperial Cocktail questions
What does an Imperial Cocktail taste like?
Mostly tart and fruity. It's a medium drink at about 10% ABV once mixed.
How strong is an Imperial Cocktail?
About 10% ABV after mixing with ice, about as strong as a glass of wine.
What's the difference between an Imperial Cocktail and a Gimlet?
Both use lime juice and gin. The Imperial Cocktail adds Aperol, while the Gimlet uses simple syrup. The Gimlet is the stronger of the two.
Should an Imperial Cocktail be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: lime juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
What can I use instead of aperol?
Campari (more bitter, less sweet) will work.
Can I make Imperial Cocktails in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 8⅓ oz lime juice, 4¼ oz gin and 8⅓ oz Aperol in a jug and chill it. Add 4¼ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.