Nocino is a type of liqueur made from walnuts and mixed with spices and sugar. Unsurprisingly, it has a sweet, nutty flavor and can be quite a unique addition to a cocktail. Here are some bold and daring cocktails that contain nocino. Cheers!
Storm King
This regal cocktail was invented by a bartender working out of Brooklyn, New York at a bar called the Grand Army. His invention is a perfect winter concoction to sip on a snowy night while snuggled under a blanket reading your favorite book.
A combination of nocino, scotch, bitters, and Benedictine makes this drink a wonderful addition to your cold weather repertoire. Garnish with a cherry for a bit of a fancy aesthetic.
The nutty notes of nocino mixed with the warm spirit of scotch make it the best concoction for cocktail hour when the wind is blowing, and the snow is piling up outside. Invite a few friends over and share the love!
Check out the full recipe of the Storm King cocktail.
Charlie’s Sidecar
A different take on a classic recipe, this version of the sidecar replaces cognac with apple brandy and nocino. The flavor has more of an autumnal feel to it with the apple and nutty combination.
Cointreau and lemon juice in addition to the apple brandy and nocino make this sidecar variation complete. This drink is best served neat in a cocktail glass garnished with a twist of lemon peel.
This drink is just right for cocktail hour. Impress your friends with this spin on an oldie but goodie and you’ll be making Charlie’s Sidecars till the cows come home.
See the original Sidecar cocktail recipe, or Charlie’s Sidecar cocktail recipe.
The Alpine Rabbit
If you have a sweet tooth and prefer to drink your dessert, you can stop looking for the perfect cocktail because you’ve found it. The Alpine Rabbit is basically a liquid carrot cake with all the sweetness and nutty flavor of the popular dessert.
This cocktail is best served in a lowball glass on the rocks. The mixture of carrot juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, bourbon, and nocino is nicely balanced with a garnish of fleur de sel and lemon or orange zest.
Alternatively, a slice of fresh ginger can add some pizzazz to this brilliant cocktail. This drink is delightful for an after dinner treat that is more satisfying than any confectionary concoction.
To access the full recipe for the Alpine Rabbit cocktail, check out Saveur.
The Ghost Story Cocktail
Put a new spin on bonfire nights and telling campy spooky tales after the sun goes down by serving up the Ghost Story cocktail. This drink will warm your insides while your skin recovers from the goosebumps all those hair-raising anecdotes gave you.
Simply mix together nocino, bitters, bourbon, and lemon juice and pour it on the rocks in a lowball glass. Serve it with a twist of lemon if you’re feeling fancy.
This cocktail is perfect for comfort whether you’re swapping scary stories or watching a horror flick by yourself after dark. Give it a whirl and see if it will help you go to sleep when the lights g out.
To try out the Ghost Story cocktail, check out the recipe here.
Walnut Old-Fashioned
Here’s another variant on a classic cocktail. The Walnut Old-Fashioned has the same premise as its original counterpart with bitters, sugar, and rich liquor but with a different take.
The combination of nocino, apple brandy, maple syrup, and bitters gives this drink a nutty maple flavor reminiscent of fall with apple pies and big comfy sweaters. If you like the original Old-Fashioned, you’re going to love the Walnut Old-Fashioned.
Try this cocktail out the next you go apple picking so that you can pair it with the delicious baked goods that will manifest from your adventure.
See the Walnut Old-Fashioned cocktail recipe here.
Weekend’s Prize
Yet another replacement for dessert, the Weekend’s Prize cocktail is right for you if you love apple pie, apple crisp, apple muffins – basically anything apple. This drink was inspired by a Nashville bartender’s grandmother’s apple pie recipe.
This concoction combines the flavors of nocino, apple juice, scotch, sherry, lemon juice, and brown sugar syrup to create the perfect liquid apple pie. Serve this delightful treat in a coupe cocktail glass if you’re feeling fancy.
Make this cocktail the highlight of your Thanksgiving feast and serve at cocktail hour to pregame for the turkey or afterward as dessert for those who may have eaten a little too much of the bird and can’t quite squeeze in a slice of pie.
Try out the full Weekend’s Prize recipe.