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Xanthia
A couple of dashes of bitters add balance and complexity to this herbal, gin-laced, cherry-flavoured after-dinner cocktail
John CARR
8th April at 16:00
Did a nice version with 30 gin, 20 each Cherry Heering and Strega, one dash orange bitters and an orange twist garnish. A Italian-leaning take on this classic. Was very happy. A biscotti would also go nicely, or tiramisu.
9th March at 07:38
It's a sweet drink but I like the flavors. I will try it next time with some Abbott's bitters. It's a good nightcap drink!
31st October 2025 at 22:10
How in the world does this work? Two out of three components are very sweet liqueurs yet is not even cloying. Sweet, sure, but the bitters and the gin botanicals keep it all together. This absolutely should be a Halloween cocktail because it's actual, proper magic.
6th April at 14:17
… and the Clapham version works even without the bitters - I think showing how well balanced Cherry Heering is in itself, helped by the drying effect of the double ratio of gin of course.
17th January 2025 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!
5th April at 15:46
Technical note that Xanthia would mean something like ‘yellowish/yellow-haired’ in Greek, so mr Clapham’s use of green Chartreuse could not be justified by self-respecting pedants 😉.
9th January 2022 at 01:54
The chartreuse adds an edge to a sweet cocktail that's so moreish
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.