High five

High Five

(1 ratings)

A refreshing modern classic featuring gin, Aperol, and fresh citrus.

SUGGESTED GLASSWARE

Coupe Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (150ml)
  • London Dry Gin 
    45 ml
  • Aperol 
    15 ml
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice 
    30 ml
  • Lime Juice 
    15 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1) 
    15 ml
  • Grapefruit 
    1 twist
Recipe credit: Alex Day of Death & Co.

Instructions

Step

Chill a coupe glass by placing it in the freezer or filling with ice water while preparing the drink.

Step

Add gin, Aperol, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

Step

Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.

Step

Double strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.

Step

Garnish with an optional grapefruit twist, or traditionally, share a high five with your guest!

Equipment

Shaker
Hawthorne Strainer
Fine Mesh Strainer
Jigger
Citrus juicer

Description

The High Five is a vibrant modern classic cocktail created by Alex Day of Death & Co that perfectly balances gin’s botanical complexity with Aperol’s gentle bitterness and the bright acidity of fresh grapefruit and lime. This refreshing drink delivers a sophisticated blend of citrus-forward flavors with herbal undertones, making it an ideal choice for any season. The cocktail’s distinctive coral-pink hue and balanced flavor profile have made it a staple in craft cocktail bars worldwide.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (150ml)
Calories
165
ABV
20 %
Alcohol
24 g
Carbs
12 g
Carbs from Sugar
11 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
0.2 g
Sodium
2 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

Tips & Notes

  • Always use fresh citrus juices - the brightness and acidity of fresh grapefruit and lime juice are crucial to the High Five's flavor profile. Bottled juices will significantly dull the drink's vibrancy.

  • Taste your grapefruit juice before mixing, as sweetness and bitterness can vary significantly. If your grapefruit is particularly tart or bitter, add an extra 2.5ml of simple syrup to balance.

  • Use precise measurements with a jigger - even small deviations can throw off the cocktail's delicate balance between sweet, sour, and bitter elements.

  • Double straining is essential to achieve the cocktail's signature crystal-clear appearance and smooth texture, removing all ice shards and citrus pulp.

  • Choose pink or ruby red grapefruit over white grapefruit for a sweeter, less bitter flavor profile and more attractive color.

While possible, it’s not recommended. Fresh grapefruit and lime juices are essential for the High Five’s bright, vibrant flavor profile. Bottled juices lack the natural oils and fresh acidity that make this cocktail special, resulting in a flat, dull-tasting drink.

Traditionally, the garnish is literally a high five shared between the bartender and guest! This playful touch reflects the cocktail’s celebratory nature. For visual appeal, you can also add a thin grapefruit twist, but the high five is the authentic garnish.

While you can substitute Campari, it will significantly change the cocktail’s character. Campari is much more bitter than Aperol, so you’d need to reduce the amount to about 7.5ml and possibly increase the simple syrup. The result will be a different drink with more aggressive bitterness rather than Aperol’s gentle, sweet-bitter balance.

If your grapefruit is particularly tart, increase the simple syrup to 17.5-20ml, or reduce the lime juice to 12.5ml. You can also use 45ml of grapefruit juice instead of 30ml if it’s less intensely sour. Always taste and adjust gradually to maintain the cocktail’s balance.

Related Bitter, Citrus, Herbal cocktails

Roots and Rituals

A modern cocktail blending rosemary, citrus, amaretto, and subtle coffee for a refreshing, complex experience.

Roots and rituals

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • London Dry Gin
    45 ml
  • Aperol
    15 ml
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice
    30 ml
  • Lime Juice
    15 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1)
    15 ml
  • Grapefruit
    1 twist

Method

  1. Chill a coupe glass by placing it in the freezer or filling with ice water while preparing the drink.
  2. Add gin, Aperol, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.
  4. Double strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.
  5. Garnish with an optional grapefruit twist, or traditionally, share a high five with your guest!