Xanthia

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (46 ratings)

Photographed in an UB Nick and Nora Gold 6oz

Ingredients:
23 oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
23 oz Heering Cherry Liqueur
23 oz Yellow Chartreuse (or génépy liqueur)
2 dash Bob's Abbotts bitters
14 oz Chilled water omit if using wet ice
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Nick & Nora glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Strength & taste guide:

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

Review:

A couple of dashes of bitters adds balance and complexity to this herbal gin-laced cherry flavoured after-dinner cocktail.

View readers' comments

Variant:

We have Jason Clapham, a regular contributor this this site, to thank for this drier version: 2 gin, 1 cherry brandy, 2 bar spoons Green Chartreuse, with a lemon zest twist.

History:

Adapted from Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book which calls for equal parts gin, cherry brandy and Yellow Chartreuse, stipulating to "Shake well and strain into cocktail glass."

Nutrition:

One serving of Xanthia contains 184 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.2 standard drinks
  • 25.3% alc./vol. (25.3° proof)
  • 17.2 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

Join the discussion

Showing 3 comments for Xanthia.
See discussion in the Forum

Please log in to make a comment
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
17th January at 13:42
Enjoying the contrast between the vintage and modern versions. Craddock’s herbal fruity goodness (the bitters are essential) reminded me of fancy fruit bonbons when I was little. Jason Clapham showcases the quality of each ingredient with laser precision and clarity - I happened to serve this version in a martini glass and seemed a good fit. I also tried a mashup version using Jason’s proportions and the green Chartreuse, but retaining the bitters and cherry garnish. I think Jason wins!
Angela Knox’s Avatar Angela Knox
9th January 2022 at 01:54
The chartreuse adds an edge to a sweet cocktail that's so moreish
Donna Inch’s Avatar Donna Inch
23rd October 2021 at 23:50
Very tasty, smooth, with nice cherry flavour - maybe a bit sweet (but that may be because I didn’t read the ‘after dinner’ part). Will have to try again with 1 part brandy.