Cherry Clafoutis

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Cocktail History

The Cherry Clafoutis is a dessert cocktail that was created by drinks writer and consultant David T. Smith and alcohol brand ambassador Keli Rivers. The recipe, inspired by the French dessert of the same name, was first published in their book Dessert Cocktails: 40 Deliciously Indulgent Sweet Drinks and is made with a mixture of brandy, white chocolate, cherry, and almond.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Cognac: This is a type of brandy made in Cognac, France with distilled white wine. We used Courvoisier VSOP Cognac because it has a rich mouthfeel and a delightful brandy spice with notes of peach, almond, and cinnamon. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative in place of the brandy.

White Crème De Cacao: This is a liqueur made with white chocolate, vanilla, sugar, and alcohol. We used DeKuyper Crème De Cacao White because it has a delightful white chocolate flavor and is affordable. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium White Chocolate Syrup in place of the white chocolate liqueur.

Maraschino Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with Maraschino cherries, honey, herbs, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Luxardo Maraschino Orginale Liqueur because it has a distinct earthy aroma and sweet cherry flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Trader Vic’s Premium Maraschino Cherry Syrup in place of the cherry liqueur.

Amaretto Liqueur: This is a liqueur made in Italy with almonds, spices, and alcohol. We used Di Amore Amaretto Liqueur because it has a strong almond flavor and a smooth texture. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium Amaretto Syrup in place of the amaretto liqueur.

Cherry: This is a fruit that has been soaked in brandy and rich syrup. We used Luxardo Maraschino Cherries because they’re high quality and delicious.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.

Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.

Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. We used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.

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Tasting Notes

The Cherry Clafoutis begins with nutty almond aromas and has a dry taste that features a bit of amaretto and chocolate followed by brandy’s strength and a hint of sugar on the aftertaste.

Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We’ve never tried the French dessert that inspired this recipe, but we both were a bit surprised at how little sweetness was in the flavor of the drink. It has qualities similar to vintage cocktails, which we thought was unique, but ultimately, we don’t know that we’d make it again.

Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐
“I’ve never had the French dessert by which this drink was inspired, but aside from the prominent maraschino notes from the liqueur, this drink wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I guess I imagined a sweeter beverage, but it turns out this one’s rather dry and is reminiscent of vintage cocktails, in my opinion. Although interesting, this just wasn’t my favorite.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Dessert Cocktails: 40 Deliciously Indulgent Sweet Drinks by David T. Smith and Keli Rivers.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-12.