Skip advertisement Advertisement

Christmas Special No. 1

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (45)
Christmas Special No. 1 image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Cognac (brandy)
1/2 fl oz Lustau San Emilio Pedro Ximénez Sherry
1/2 fl oz Mandarin liqueur
1/4 fl oz Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glassware

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of walnut half.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice).

Garnish

  1. Garnish with half walnut balanced on rim or rest on the ice.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Christmas Special No. 1 contains 219 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 2 standard drinks
  • 27.98% alc./vol. (55.97° proof)
  • 27.3 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

Skip advertisement Advertisement

History

Created in December 2013 by yours truly and Paloma Alos at the Cabinet Room, London, England.

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Review

A great after-dinner cocktail any time of year but particularly appropriate over the festive period due to its ingredients – Pedro Ximénez sherry tastes like Christmas pudding, mandarins are not just for Christmas and walnuts are best cracked whilst watching a Christmas special.

Variations/similar cocktails

Christmas Special No. 2

Skip advertisement Advertisement
Difford’s Shop logo
$1.63 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 50 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Skip advertisement Advertisement

Comments & Discussion

Walter Brookbank
I had Remy and a Don Benigns Amontillado Medium Dry Sherry on hand and used Nocello for the walnut Liqueur. I usually like the Nocello on it's own but that was an excellent use of a 1/4 oz of that Nectar from the heavens. The Cognac is pronounced which I prefer and the Walnut Liqueur adds that nutty balanced finish. A wonderful sipper.
score: 1
Ruth Harvey
"oh I wish it could be Xmas every day!"🎶🌰🍊🌲
score: 3
Jeffrey Moore
Lovely, elegant cocktail.
score: 1
Matt Premium Member
A great seasonal cocktail - the Nux really takes this firmly into fall/winter territory. Nux is the first taste, but is immediately joined by the fruity cognac and PX sherry, and the Mandarin adding some fruit (plus I think it adds a bit of bitterness that I thought detracted a bit). As suggested by previous reviewers, I added a drop of chocolate bitters - IDK what difference it made, but the overall cocktail was very good and a great idea for the fall/winter season.
score: 1
Sally Morgan Premium Member
I loved the old version which was christmas in a glass. Can we not have both versions as separate cocktails?
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Hi Sally. It's a bit late for Christmas 2023, but with a view to later this year, I have created pages for both versions of our Christmas Special cocktail with links between the two. Many thanks for your continued support and feedback.
score: 1
Piers Tynan
Is it just me or was Nocello in this cocktail? I came to revisit it and I see it has Orancio aromatised wine instead..
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Hi Piers. Yes, you're right. Ten years on, I tried it and sought to improve it. I've added my previous recipe above.
score: 1
Jennifer McNabb
Thanks for this comment I was confused too!
score: 1
Sally Morgan Premium Member
Oh my! Christmas in a glass!!
score: 1
Doris Magnus
A mouthful of flavors, boozy but smooth. A defanite repeat!
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
This is a perfect after dinner or after any meal cocktail. The flavours all blend together so well and the aftertaste of walnut is great. Had with a piece of Cherry Cake after luncheon and it was exactly what was needed.
score: 2

Showing the first 9 of 10 comments.

View 10 comments and discussion

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$1.63 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 50 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Beverly Hills Hotel Cocktail

Beverly Hills Hotel Cocktail Image

Zingy grapefruit sourness balances rich elderflower in this gin-laced cocktail, which you might consider enjoying with your breakfast. That's how they...

View more

Cadillac Margarita (AKA Grand Margarita)

Cadillac Margarita (AKA Grand Margarita) Image

A flavoursome Margarita, with the liqueur's rich cognac and orange notes adding to this cocktail's depth of flavour.

View more

Champagne Cocktail

Champagne Cocktail Image

Starts bone dry and becomes slightly sweeter as you reach the dissolving cube at the bottom, depending on how briskly you drink of course. Back in the...

View more

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin Image

Dilution is key to this fruity sweet 'n' sour cocktail, hence, depending on your ice, the Charlie Chaplin may benefit from the addition of a splash of...

View more

China Blue

China Blue Image

This simple turquoise cocktail tastes more adult and interesting than its colour might suggest.

View more

Tulane Aperitif

Tulane Aperitif Image

Adapted from the classic Tulane cocktail with Chambreyzette aperitif in place of strawberry liqueur.

View more