Charlie Chaplan

Name: Charlie Chaplin Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 oz Old Mr. Boston Sloe Gin; 1 oz Old Mr. Boston Apricot Flavored Brandy; 1 oz Lemon Juice

The Charlie Chaplin is a classic three-ingredient cocktail combining sloe gin, apricot brandy, and fresh lemon juice for a balanced, fruity drink with smooth depth.

🏷️Equipment: old-fashioned glass

Total

5 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$10–$16

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Mr. Boston Drinks · by Mr. Boston Deluxe Official Bartender's Guide

Ingredients

1 oz Old Mr. Boston Sloe Gin
1 oz Old Mr. Boston Apricot Flavored Brandy
1 oz Lemon Juice

3 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice—bottled versions lack the brightness needed to balance the sweet liqueurs
Chill your glass before serving to keep the cocktail cold longer without over-diluting
Shake vigorously with ice for 10-12 seconds to properly chill and integrate the ingredients
Taste as you build the drink; if apricot brandy varies in sweetness, adjust lemon juice slightly upward for balance

Substitutions

Apricot brandy → peach schnapps (slightly drier result)
Sloe gin → crème de cassis (loses fruity complexity, creates berry-forward profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Cocktails are consumed immediately after preparation; do not store mixed drinks.

Equipment

cocktail shaker · jigger · strainer · coupe or martini glass

Common Questions

Can I make a Charlie Chaplin without sloe gin?

Sloe gin is essential to the drink's flavor profile. There's no direct substitute, but you could use crème de cassis as an alternative liqueur base.

Should I use fresh or bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice is strongly recommended for better flavor and balance. Bottled juice will noticeably affect the drink's quality.

How should this cocktail be served?

Serve chilled, either shaken with ice and strained into a coupe glass, or stirred and served up. Garnish with a lemon twist if desired.

What's the best ratio for this recipe?

Equal parts (1 oz each) of sloe gin, apricot brandy, and lemon juice creates proper balance. Adjust lemon juice slightly if your brandy is very sweet.