Seventh Heaven Cocktail Recipe (2024)

Sep 15, 2016(updated Dec 8, 2022)

By Michelle Weiner

This 3-ingredient Seventh Heaven Cocktail Recipe is heavy on the gin and ends with a bite. The perfect cocktail for a fancy night in!

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Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

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This 3-ingredient Seventh Heaven Cocktail Recipe is heavy on the gin and ends with a bite. The perfect cocktail for a fancy night in!

A vintage gin cocktail recipe worth dressing up for

Going out for a night on the town at the newest speakeasy? Shake up this Seventh Heaven Cocktail Recipe for pre-gaming! It’s heavy on the gin and sure to put you in a great mood before you head out.

Vintage cocktail newbies be warned: a seventh heaven cocktail is not for the faint of heart. The gin is strong while the maraschino liqueur gives it an almost medicinal flavor. Fresh grapefruit juice comes in at the end to help with the drinkability and add a burst of brightness. Try it if you’re ready to up your cocktail game!

Give your guests a little variety by pairing this cocktail with more vintage favorites, like a Kirsch Rose Cocktail, The Abbey Cocktail, or this Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe for a bourbon based drink. Snack on a few Radishes and Butter Crostinis and before you know it, it’ll be time to head out on the town!

Inspired by a classic gin cocktail

The inspiration for this seventh heaven cocktail came from my favorite cocktail book, The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock.

The original recipe (called Seventh Heaven Cocktail No. 2) is on page 145 in the book. It’s made with the same 3 ingredients but with very different ratios.

Instead of changing the cocktail entirely, I adjusted the ratios of the 3 ingredients. I focused on keeping the gin strong while increasing the grapefruit juice and reducing the maraschino.

The finished result is so well balanced and bright! The cocktail only gets better when it’s served ice-cold.

What is a seventh heaven cocktail made of?

Shake up this 3 ingredient cocktail in no time! Here’s what you need on your bar cart before getting started:

Gin

This cocktail is heavy on the gin, so make sure you use a brand you already love. Hendrick’s and Bombay Sapphire are my brands of choice but if you aren’t sure what you like, buy a few different bottles to test the flavors. You can always make a few gin and tonics to use up the extras.

Not a gin person? I haven’t tested this recipe with another liquor but grapefruit and vodka are already great partners (see my Grapefruit Vodka Martini for proof!), so it should work here as well.

Grapefruit juice

For the absolute best flavor, buy a grapefruit and juice it yourself with a citrus reamer. There’s no beating freshly squeezed grapefruit juice! The next best option is to use bottled Simply Brand grapefruit juice instead.

Maraschino liqueur

This vintage cocktail recipe gets its complexity from Luxardo maraschino liqueur. This clear liqueur backs up the grapefruit and gin flavors with its notes of sweet and sour cherries, nuts, and vanilla. It’s a fruity surprise that gives this cocktail another layer of brightness.

Tips and tricks

Use these tips to make the most balanced, fanciest vintage cocktail:

Shaken, not stirred

Grab your cocktail shaker because a seventh heaven cocktail must be shaken, not stirred. According to Difford's Guide, shaking the cocktail whips air bubbles into the drink, giving it a cloudy appearance and lighter mouthfeel. The ice also dilutes the drink and makes it super cold, improving the drinking experience!

Chill the glassware

This cocktail is extra fantastic when it’s served ice cold. Besides shaking it with ice, serve the drinks in glasses that have been sitting in the freezer to ensure every sip is well chilled.

Make a big batch

Don’t spend all your time shaking individual drinks. Instead, make a big batch! Double or triple the ingredients and pour them into a large pitcher. When it’s time to serve, shake the individual or double servings with ice and pour into chilled glasses.

Don’t forget the garnish

Finish each glass with Luxardo cherries or fresh mint sprigs.

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