Jerezana Cocktail
The Jerezana is a refined and elegant cocktail that beautifully showcases the versatility of sherry. The combination of nutty amontillado sherry and the sweet, herbal complexity of Bénédictine liqueur creates a deeply satisfying flavor profile. A couple of dashes of orange bitters brighten the drink, adding aromatic lift. It's a stirred, spirit-forward cocktail perfect for those who appreciate nuanced and contemplative sips.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Jerezana Cocktail is categorized as a classic cocktail due to its origins in the early 20th century. It is also often enjoyed as a digestif or an aperitif because of its sherry base and complex, herbal notes, making it a sophisticated choice before or after a meal.
Serving
The Jerezana is served "straight up" in a pre-chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It's a relatively small, cold drink with a moderate alcohol content that is meant to be sipped.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
This cocktail first appeared in the 1937 edition of the "Café Royal Cocktail Book," written by William J. Tarling. Its creation is rooted in the pre-Prohibition style of cocktails that often featured fortified wines as a base. The name "Jerezana" is the feminine Spanish adjective for someone or something from Jerez, the home of sherry, cementing the spirit's role as the heart of the drink.
Origin
United Kingdom, circa 1937.
Jerezana Cocktail
The drink is consistently known as the Jerezana Cocktail, with no widely recognized alternative names. The name itself is a tribute to Jerez, the Spanish region famous for sherry production, highlighting the drink's key ingredient.
Original name
Jerezana Cocktail
Characteristics overview
This drink presents a silky, smooth texture with a complex nutty and herbal flavor profile, balanced by a gentle sweetness. Its deep amber hue is complemented by aromas of sherry and orange, leading to a long, warming finish.
Flavor
Nutty, Herbal, Sweet, Complex, Citrusy
Aroma
Sherry, Orange, Honey, Herbs, Almond
Taste balance
Balanced, Sweet, Nutty
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Nutty, Herbal
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Clear, Deep Amber, Golden
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Medium-bodied
Seasonality
All-season, Warming
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is moderately intense and spirit-forward, dominated by the nutty character of the sherry and the sweet herbal notes of the liqueur. It is not overtly sweet, bitter, or sour, offering a well-balanced profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This simple three-ingredient cocktail requires a quality Amontillado sherry as its base, complemented by the sweet herbal notes of Bénédictine liqueur and a hint of citrus from orange bitters.
- Amontillado Sherry60 ml / 2 ozA dry, nutty style of sherry is essential for the cocktail's character.
- Bénédictine D.O.M.30 ml / 1 ozThis specific herbal liqueur provides the necessary sweetness and complexity.
- Orange Bitters2 dashesAdds a subtle citrus aroma and complexity that ties the other ingredients together.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need standard bar equipment for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a bar spoon for stirring with ice, and a strainer to serve.
- Mixing Glass - for chilling and diluting the ingredients
- Jigger - for accurate measurement
- Bar Spoon - for stirring
- Hawthorne or Julep Strainer - for straining into the serving glass
Instructions
This is a straightforward stirred cocktail. Simply combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled, and strain into a chilled coupe, garnishing with a lemon twist.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.
2. Pour the amontillado sherry, Bénédictine, and orange bitters into a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cubed ice.
4. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds, or until the outside of the mixing glass is well-chilled and frosted.
5. Strain the drink into your chilled serving glass.
6. Take a lemon peel, twist it over the surface of the drink to express its oils, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.
Garnishing
A simple lemon twist provides the perfect garnish. The expressed citrus oils add a bright, fresh aroma that complements the cocktail's rich flavors.
- Lemon Twist - Express the oils over the drink's surface before dropping it in
Dietary Information
This cocktail is naturally free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, assuming no animal-derived fining agents were used in the sherry production.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the Bénédictine liqueur. The carbohydrate and sugar content are derived almost entirely from the liqueur.
Calories
Approximately 180 kcal / 753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 12g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail's refined character makes it perfect for sophisticated gatherings or a quiet evening. It serves wonderfully as an aperitif to stimulate the appetite or as a complex digestif to conclude a meal.
- Aperitif
- Digestif
- Cocktail Party
- Quiet Evening
Pairing suggestions
The nutty and savory notes of the Jerezana pair wonderfully with Spanish tapas. Consider serving it with salty Marcona almonds, briny olives, or flavorful cured meats and cheeses to complement the sherry base.
- Marcona Almonds
- Green Olives
- Cured Meats (Jamón Ibérico, Prosciutto)
- Hard Spanish Cheeses (Manchego)
The Jerezana Cocktail: A Timeless Sherry Classic
The Jerezana Cocktail is a sophisticated and historic drink that offers a unique taste experience for lovers of sherry and herbal liqueurs. Its preparation is simple, yet the resulting flavor is deeply complex, balancing the nutty, dry notes of amontillado with the honeyed sweetness of Bénédictine. It's an excellent choice for an elegant aperitif or a contemplative digestif, representing a timeless style of cocktail making that rewards a refined palate.
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