Christmas Special No. 1

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (46)
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

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

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:

History

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

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

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$1.63 per cocktail*

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


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* 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.

Gallery

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

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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.