Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cocktail Recipe
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cocktail Recipe

Chocolate-Covered Cherry

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Cocktail History

The Chocolate-Covered Cherry is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Nick Mautone at the Rainbow Room in New York City, New York and was first published in his book The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails. Inspired by a shot the author had at another bar, the original recipe was a simple blend of equal parts Heering Cherry Liqueur and dark crème de cacao. However, this revised version takes it a step further by adding Cognac for depth and body, creating a richer, more robust flavor profile. To ensure a balanced taste, the amount of cherry liqueur is scaled back, allowing the chocolate and brandy to shine through while still keeping that cherry sweetness in the background. This cocktail is perfect for those who enjoy a decadent, boozy twist on classic holiday flavors.

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. I used Courvoisier VSOP Cognac.

Dark Crème De Cacao: This is a liqueur made with dark chocolate, spices, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Bols Crème De Cacao Dark Liqueur.

Heering Cherry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made in Denmark with Stevens cherries, baking spices, almonds, sugar, alcohol, and water.

Cherry: This is a fruit that has been soaked in brandy and rich syrup. I used Luxardo Maraschino Cherries.

Bartending Tools

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

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Mixing Glass: This is a sturdy, wide-bowled glass that’s used to stir ingredients before they’re strained and served. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Julep Strainer: This is a flat, perforated metal strainer with a handle that’s used to strain cocktails from a mixing glass or tin into a serving glass while keeping ice and solids behind. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the KingSeal Bamboo Knot Cocktail Pick Set.

Nick & Nora Glass: This is a small, stemmed glass with a gently curved bowl that used for serving cocktails with smaller portions. I used a thrifted Nick & Nora glass.

OXO SteeL Double Jigger
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
Two sided – flip for different measurements; Soft, non-slip grip for comfortable pouring; Permanent laser-etched measurements won’t wear off
$11.99 Amazon Prime
200 Count | KingSeal Bamboo Wood Flower Knot Picks, Skewers, 3.5 Inches, Perfect for Cocktails and Appetizers - 2 Packs of 100 Count
200 Count | KingSeal Bamboo Wood Flower Knot Picks, Skewers, 3.5 Inches, Perfect for Cocktails and Appetizers – 2 Packs of 100 Count
These looped knot picks are perfect for serving cocktails, sandwiches and hors d’oeuvres; Spear or pin fruits and veggies to add flair to cocktails and appetizers
$8.99 Amazon Prime
Libbey 8.25 Oz. Retro Cocktail Glass
Libbey 8.25 Oz. Retro Cocktail Glass
8.25 Oz. capacity; Glass construction; Safedge Rim Guarantee; Height: 7.63″; Top diameter: 3″
$72.63

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 2025-02-14.

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cocktail Recipe

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

Appearance: Dark brown color

• Aroma: Cherry and spices

• Taste: Sweet cherry and chocolate flavor with Cognac depth

• Finish: Dark cocoa and lingering oakiness

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “This is a much more sophisticated dessert cocktail than the other Christmas recipes I’ve tried, and I really enjoyed it. All three flavors—Cognac, cherry, and chocolate—play together very well thanks to the tweaks made to this recipe’s specifications. I could absolutely see myself sipping on the Chocolate-Covered Cherry after a holiday dinner.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails by Nick Mautone.

Sale
The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails: The Best Nogs, Punches, Sparklers, and Mixed Drinks for Every Festive Occasion
The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails: The Best Nogs, Punches, Sparklers, and Mixed Drinks for Every Festive Occasion
Hardcover Book; Mautone, Nick (Author); English (Publication Language); 128 Pages – 10/17/2017 (Publication Date) – Artisan (Publisher)
$7.18 Amazon Prime

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 2025-02-14.

Chocolate-Covered Cherry

The Chocolate-Covered Cherry is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Nick Mautone at the Rainbow Room in New York City, New York and was first published in his book The Artisanal Kitchen: Holiday Cocktails. Originally based on a shot the author once tried at another bar, his recipe actually called for just equal parts Heering Cherry Liqueur and dark crème de cacao, but this version adds an ounce of Cognac for more body and booziness. It also dials down the cherry liqueur for more balance.

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 2 mins Total Time 5 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 1 Calories: 285 Best Season: Christmas

Ingredients

Method

  1. Add brandy, dark crème de cacao, cherry liqueur, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.

  2. Stir for 20-30 seconds.

  3. Strain into a cocktail glass.

  4. Garnish with cherry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
How do I make this cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?

Use Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative in place of the brandy, Monin Premium Dark Chocolate Syrup in place of the dark chocolate liqueur, and Monin Premium Cherry Syrup in place of the cherry liqueur to try a mocktail version of this drink.

Rate this recipe

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pin Recipe
Share Recipe
Email Recipe

About The Author

Kendall is the creator of Novel Nightcaps, a mixology blog chronicling recipes she tries from her cocktail book collection.