Gin forward, bright and strong, the Seventh Heaven Cocktail should be a staple in your vintage cocktail repertoire.
This post is sponsored by Drizly, who I adore. FYI, I only work with companies that I love and believe in. All opinions are my own.
PERFECT FOR A VINTAGE COCKTAIL PARTY
The Seventh Heaven Cocktail is not for the faint of heart or the pallet of vintage cocktail newbies. It’s quite strong and has an interesting (and to be honest, slightly medicinal) flavor from the maraschino liqueur.
That being said, I love it. I serve it in a chilled glass and ice-cold, which is perfect for sipping while dolled up in a vintage outfit. It's fantastic for a little pre-gaming before you and your friends go to that new speakeasy in the city.
My inspiration for the Seventh Heaven can be found on page 145 of The Savoy Cocktail Book, and is actually called Seventh Heaven Cocktail (No. 2). As always, I made the Seventh Heaven Cocktail using the ratios Mr. Harry Craddock recommends, but it was not quite to my liking. So, up with fresh grapefruit juice and down with the maraschino! The new ratio is perfect for me, and when you play around with this cocktail feel free to change it!
A LITTLE BIT O' GRAPEFRUIT INFO
Grapefruit is truly the star in this version of the Seventh Heaven. According to Julia F. Morton in Fruits of Warm Climates, "it was first described in 1750 by Griffith Hughes, who called it the ‘forbidden fruit’ of Barbados.”
Originally it was thought to be a mutation of the pummelo, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. As of the late 1940s citrus specialists consider the grapefruit to be a pummelo and orange hybrid. [note]Morton, Julia F. "Grapefruit." In Fruits of Warm Climates, 152-58. Accessed September 14, 2016. https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/grapefruit.html.[/note] The pummelo supplies the sour element and the orange supplies the sweet element to the flavorful grapefruit…nice job mother nature!
THE LIQUOR STORE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Okay…you are looking at this recipe and thinking, “Yes! I do want the delightfully strong Seventh Heaven Cocktail to grace my lips tonight,” but sadly realize you only have grapefruits on hand…none of the liquor.
Don’t despair, Drizly has you covered! Drizly is a wonderful service that will deliver wine, beer, or liquor to you when you run out of a necessary cocktail ingredient, don’t have time to stop at the liquor store, or those lazy Sunday mornings when you want a mimosa in your life, have oj, but don’t want to leave the house.
Drizly kindly supplied me with the Luxardo Maraschino (which you can get here), Bombay Gin (and here), and Luxardo Maraschino cherries for this recipe, and I have to say, their service is wonderful. I placed my order, they delivered exactly what I needed on time, and confirmed that they were delivering to the correct person (and checking that I was over 21) by checking my I.D. when they arrived. All the details are taken care of online, no dealing with cash, and liquor directly to my door...I can get used to this!
So, what do you think? Are you going to give the Seventh Heaven a try? Let me know in the comments below what you think and as always, tag me on Instagram (#cupofzest) with your version of this cocktail!
SEVENTH HEAVEN COCKTAIL RECIPE TIPS
-Shaken, not stirred. Even though the original version is stirred, this version definitely needs to be shaken vigorously, and you need to know why. Check out why you shake or stir cocktails from this post on Food 52.
-Use different types of gin when making this cocktail! I make it with Hendrick's and Bombay Sapphire and they are both great!
-If you like this cocktail, so why don’t you try out my version of The Corpse Reviver No. 2. It's also gin forward, strong, and my favorite cocktail!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into your cocktail shaker of choice.
- Fill with ice, vigorously shake, and pour into two chilled cocktail glasses.
Notes
MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES
Want more killer cocktail recipes in your life? Here are a few I think you'll like since you enjoyed the Seventh Heaven Cocktail!
So glamorous! Can't wait to try!
Thanks, love!
I love a Gin cocktail and I love the sound of your vintage recipe. I've never tried maraschino liqueur before but I do adore a maraschino cherry.
Oh! Sarah, if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend trying a cocktail at a bar with maraschino liqueur! Definitely do that before you buy a bottle...and aren't maraschino cherries delightful?!?
What an awesome looking cocktail! And I LOVE those glasses! So cool!
Thanks Jenni! <3
Lovely glasses and photos! This sounds perfect for the upcoming holidays!
Thanks so much! They have become my favorite cocktail coupe to use regularly. I hope you get a chance to make this recipe for a holiday get together!
I love a good cocktail and this one is perfect for the holidays. Love your photos, too!
Thanks so much Kimberly! It's always nice to make a fun cocktail for holiday parties 🙂
Sounds like a tasty cocktail. Vintage recipes are cool too.
It's very tasty (and strong)! Let me know if you get a chance to make it 🙂
I'm a big fan of grapefruit juice in any form and love the sound of it in this cocktail! It would definitely be a good choice for a vintage cocktail party.
I'm the same way! Grapefruit in any cocktail is wonderful and I hope you have a chance to make this cocktail!
Lovely idea to share vintage recipes! Wanna try this drink soon!
Wish you a wonderful rest of the week!
Gloria & Emanuele
Thank you so much Gloria & Emanuele! It's become such a fun project 🙂 Hope your weekend is great as well and let me know how you like the cocktail!
I love the glasses, they are so pretty! We don't actually drink anymore, but the idea of a vintage party is so fun and this fits that theme perfectly!
Thanks Chellie! I picked them up at a vintage fair a little while back.
Anything with gin is a total winner in my book! I totally wish there was Drizly in my city - it's genius
I totally agree! Living in a big city certainly helps 🙂
I always did like grapefruit juice as a mixer, and I can see it balancing the sweet marahschino! Sounds interesting.
You are spot on! The tartness of the grapefruit definitely balances the maraschino. I'd love to know if you'll be making this some time <3
Gin and grapefruit? Yes, please!
Monica, if I could, I'd send one your way!
This cocktail looks amazing and delicious. Yum!
It really is one of my favorite cocktails! <3
Looks really, really delicious!
Thanks so much Sharon! I hope you get a chance to make it!
I think you're my sister from another mister! We should collaborate sometime. Us vintage gals have to stick together!
Kitty, I totally agree! I love your blog and definitely think we should work on something together soon 🙂
I do love a Gin cocktail 🙂
Me too <3
Your glasses are beautiful! Sounds like the perfect cocktail to serve at a holiday party.
Awe, thanks so much! I found them at the Petaluma Antique Fair http://www.petalumadowntown.com/antique-faire-petaluma.html
It is a great cocktail for holiday parties...let me know if you end up making one!