The Royal Smile

The Royal Smile circa 1930

Here’s a fitting toast to my colleague across the world, who has made me smile with his marvelously whimsical creations (and to my friend who was so generous to share them).  I imagine that the name of this old classic cocktail, “The Royal Smile”, will resonate with Stephen Chin both professionally and personally.  Based on another old classic, the “Jack Rose”, which I have featured previously, the Royal Smile adds gin to the delicious mix of apple brandy, lemon juice and grenadine.  These drinks were popular in the era surrounding Prohibition, and the earliest recipe for the Royal Smile is found in the Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock, 1930.  Here I’ve substituted the lemon juice for orange juice, so the cocktail has an apple and an orange, just this once.  Either way, it will make you smile.  Drink a few and you might very well start to hear odd electronic noises emanating from your glass, too.  Cheers!

Sure to make you smile

The Royal Smile circa 1930

* The Juice of ¼ Lemon (or substitute fresh squeezed orange)

* ¼ Grenadine

* ½ Applejack or Calvados

* ¼ Dry Gin

Shake well with ice, strain into cocktail glass, and smile!

Hmmm ... Ze Koala appears to be mocking you ... Can you make his eyes light up?