Three Emmas: Captivating Sherry and Gin Cocktail
Aug 29, 2025
The Three Emmas is a beautiful lemon gin cocktail that offers a unique twist on the classic gin sour. It's a prime example of a sherry and gin cocktail, combining the crispness of gin with the nutty depth of sherry for a truly memorable drink.
Created by Cassie McCloud for the beautiful Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas, this cocktail features our award-winning El Guapo™ Rose Cordial. This sherry and gin cocktail is guaranteed to impress with its harmonious blend of citrus, botanicals, and delicate floral notes.
Three Emmas Cocktail Recipe
This sherry and gin cocktail is a harmonious blend of citrus, botanicals, and delicate floral notes.
Yields: 1 cocktail
Ingredients:
- 0.75 oz The Botanist Gin
- 1 oz Sandeman Character Sherry
- 1 oz El Guapo™ Rose Cordial
- 0.5 oz grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- Basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine all ingredients.
- Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a tulip or coupe glass over standard cubes of ice.
- Garnish with a fresh basil leaf.
Why This Sherry and Gin Cocktail Works
The combination of sherry and gin may seem unconventional, but it's a match made in heaven. The crisp, juniper-forward notes of gin are perfectly complemented by the dry, nutty, and complex character of the sherry. This creates a more full-bodied and nuanced sherry and gin cocktail compared to a standard martini. The addition of fresh lemon and grapefruit juices makes this a refreshing and balanced lemon gin cocktail that is both citrusy and deeply flavorful.
More About the Hotel Emma
This cocktail's name is a tribute to the beautiful Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas. The hotel, formerly a 19th-century brewhouse, is now a stunning example of restored architecture and a hub for incredible hospitality. The Three Emmas cocktail, created by Cassie McCloud, captures the spirit of the hotel's elegance and charm, making it a fitting signature drink.
Looking for more cocktail inspiration? Explore our complete collection of recipes and discover your next favorite drink. Have a question? Contact us for assistance, or visit El Guapo's homepage to explore everything we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sherry taste like in a cocktail?
Sherry is a fortified wine with a wide range of flavors, from dry and crisp to sweet and nutty. In a cocktail, a dry sherry like the Sandeman Character used here adds a complex, nutty, and savory character that enhances the other ingredients without adding too much sweetness.
What is a cordial?
A cordial is a sweetened syrup often used in cocktails to provide flavor and sweetness. Our El Guapo™ Rose Cordial is made from real roses, giving it a delicate, fragrant flavor that adds a floral layer to this lemon gin cocktail.
What's the difference between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan?
An Old Fashioned uses sugar, bitters, and a base spirit like whiskey or bourbon. A Manhattan uses vermouth and bitters, creating a different flavor profile. The use of amaro in this Old Fashioned recipe adds a layer of herbal complexity similar to vermouth, but its distinct flavor keeps it firmly in the Old Fashioned family.
