Barnum

Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs • December 16, 2025

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A photo of the Apricot Zephyr cocktail containing Beefeater London Dry Gin, Giffard Abricot Du Roussillon, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Angostura Aromatic Bitters, Chilled water (reduce if wet ice) in a Martini.

Curiada Ingredients

2.00 fl oz Beefeater London Dry Gin or alternative
1.00 fl oz Giffard Abricot Du Roussillon or alternative
2.00 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters or alternative

Other Ingredients

0.50 fl oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
0.50 fl oz Chilled water (reduce if wet ice)

Directions

Add ice to cocktail shaker
Add all ingredients to shaker
Shake vigorously
Fine strain into chilled martini glass
Express lemon zest twist over drink and drop into glass

Cocktail Description

Drift into summer with the Barnum, a golden elixir that balances bright fruit notes with gin's botanical bite.

This elegant cocktail delivers a perfect harmony of tart lemon, sweet stone fruit, and the complex juniper backbone of London Dry gin, with Angostura bitters adding subtle spice and depth. The Barnum shines as an aperitif for warm-weather gatherings or as a sophisticated starter for a multi-course dinner party. Even novice home bartenders can master this straightforward cocktail—it requires only basic shaking technique and proper chilling of your martini glass. The drink's fruity-yet-dry profile makes it particularly well-suited to pair with light seafood dishes like grilled shrimp or scallops, though it also stands up beautifully to creamy cheeses and fruit-forward desserts. For maximum enjoyment, serve it ice-cold with that lemon twist expressing oils over the surface.