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Vanessa Polk

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (130)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1/2 fl oz Caribbean blended rum aged 6-10 years
3/4 fl oz Cherry (brandy) liqueur
6 drop Bob's Chocolate bitters
1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Nick & Nora glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a NICK & NORA GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherries.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherries.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 5/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Vanessa Polk contains 206 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.3 standard drinks
  • 27.33% alc./vol. (54.67° proof)
  • 18.6 grams of pure alcohol
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History

Adapted from a recipe created in 2025 by J. E. Clapham of Clapham Cocktails and named after the "rather impressive heiress" in P.G. Wodehouse's A Pelican at Blandings. The original recipe calls for Chairman's Reserve Rum.

Review

Cherry red, spirit-forward and dangerously quaffable as a late-night tipple.

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Conor Finlay
Keep coming back to this. I've tried it with various aged rums, and they have surprising little effect; settled on Luxadro Sangue Morlacco; but the greatest effect is the choice of chocolate bitters. Using Fee Brother's Aztec bitters made this sing like Coca Cola, just don't over do the angostura.
score: 1
Alex Powell
Worked well with Appleton 12 and frederiksdal kirsebær. With that combination I find it almost a little austere for a post-prandial, a little dash of garnish cherry syrup got it just right. Lovely.
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I wanted to loathe this but I almost maybe love it. At the very least, it's a drink you must make for the public. Appleton Estate 8, Luxardo Sangue Morlacco, and Bittermens Xocolatl Mole. What can you do?
score: 1
Caspian Berggren Premium Member
Worked lovely with El Dorado 8. It's like a delicious cherry chocolate praline.
score: 2
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I love that description. I'm sold.
score: 1
Chris Dimal
Seconded for the description. Even with using Appleton Reserve, it really does feel like that.
score: 0
Andy Parnell-Hopkinson
I get the idea but Jamaican rum was too funky. Will try with Cuban next time.
score: 1
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
Which brand did you use?
score: 1
Yorey C
they should call it polker hands
score: 2
andy nicholson
I'm glad I'm not the only one who wondered this about the naming? Maybe the Doug Selbst?
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
A serious but also somehow fun cocktail. Perhaps it's the cherry and chocolate that lighten the mood. A bit timid at the specified volumes, so we up the rum to 60ml, the Heering to 30ml and add two more drops of the chocolate bitters. Fits nicely in our Nick and Nora glasses, which we think are much better suited to this cocktail than the recommended coupe.
score: 5
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Agreed. A Nick & Nora would be more fitting - literally.
score: 2
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
Quite. I wonder if Wodehouse and Hammett ever read any of each others' stories. Would be nice to think so.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Perfect digestive. Wonderful rum flavours with the hint of cherry. Slight hint of Caribbean flavours with a whiff of chocolate. Outstanding.
score: 3