My Bar Bible / Cocktails / Self Starter
Self Starter recipe
StirredCoupeNo ice25% ABV
The Self Starter is a stirred gin cocktail, made with gin, Lillet Blanc, apricot brandy and more, served in a coupe. It is spirit-forward.
From the Savoy Cocktail Book (1930): gin and Lillet with apricot and a dash of absinthe.
Self Starter ingredients
| Gin | 45 ml (1½ oz) |
| Lillet Blanc | 22.5 ml (¾ oz) |
| Apricot brandy | 7.5 ml (¼ oz) |
| Absinthe | 1 dash |
How to make a Self Starter
- Add everything to a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
- Stir until very cold, about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
- Glass
- Coupe
- Ice
- None, served up
- Garnish
- Lemon twist
Part of
Self Starter: quick answers
- How strong is a Self Starter?
- About 25% alcohol once the ice has melted in, roughly 19 g of alcohol per drink. That is an estimate: brands and dilution vary.
- How many calories are in a Self Starter?
- About 150 calories per drink, from the alcohol and the ingredients. An estimate: brands and the amount of sugar change it. Compare every drink in the cocktail calorie chart.
- What glass is a Self Starter served in?
- A coupe, with no ice in the glass.
- How many ingredients does a Self Starter have?
- 4 in total: gin, Lillet Blanc, apricot brandy and absinthe. Simple enough to make at home.
