10 Nocino Cocktails to Enjoy

Every bartender needs a good Old Fashioned recipe in their arsenal. The walnut old-fashioned is an ideal autumn variation on the traditional cocktail. The drink contains all the classic fall flavors. Calvados infuses the beverage with apple flavor, while nocino adds walnut undertones. Maple syrup lends the drink sweetness, while the bitters provide a pleasant baking spice taste. Mixed, these ingredients create the perfect crisp autumn sip. 

The brass elephant is ideal for bartenders hoping to add a seasonal drink to their fall and winter menus. The cocktail capitalizes on warm, rich flavors to create a cozy concoction you’ll want to sip by the fire. Plan in advance; you must infuse whiskey with vanilla beans for one to two weeks before mixing the cocktails. The whiskey provides a sweet foundation for the apple brandy. Adding the walnut-flavored nocino to these ingredients creates a pleasant apple pie flavor. Jamaican rum and bitters round out the cocktail, providing spicy notes to the finished product. 

Dave Schlachtenhaufen invented the Nux Alpine for Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant, Cut. The complex drink is autumn in a glass. Between apple juice and Apple Jack, the cocktail packs a strong apple punch. Nocino contributes sweet walnut flavor, while pumpkin spice syrup completes the triumvirate of fall tastes. Pineapple rum lends the drink a spicy kick and a little sunshine.

The Harvest Manhattan Cocktail is the ideal drink to sip while appreciating a full moon on a cool evening. The concoction modifies the classic Manhattan recipe, retaining the sophistication while adding warmth and spicy flavors. You’ll need to prepare the cherry syrup in advance. The process is quick and straightforward, and the resulting syrup provides the drink with concentrated sweetness and flavor. Apple Jack and nocino marry the syrup, creating a complex blend of walnut, apple, and cherry. Rye whiskey rounds out the recipe, adding smoky warmth to the drink.  

The Nocino Alexander is the exact holiday update the Brandy Alexander needs. The cocktail is rich, creamy, and full of Yuletide flavor. Spiced rum provides a warm, complex foundation. Cinnamon and nutmeg complement the nocino’s walnut flavor, creating a perfect holiday spirit. A dash of cream and simple syrup lends the drink cool, sweet creaminess. The cocktail is the perfect end to dinner on a cold winter’s night. 

Most of the cocktails we’ve discussed so far evoke images of cozy living rooms and comfy afghans. The nut bunny, however, conjures images of leaf-covered autumn floors. The cocktail has a rich, outdoorsy taste. Walnut bitters pair with nocino to infuse the drink with plenty of nut flavor. Rosemary adds a pleasant, herbal component, while bourbon provides smoky warmth. The drink is simple yet sophisticated, ideal for dinner parties or casual hangouts. 

The Ring A Ding Ding is sure to delight cool cats and rat packs of all kinds. The coffee cocktail gives drinkers a jolt of caffeine with their alcohol, so be prepared. The Ring A Ding Ding may keep you up past your bedtime. Bartenders prepare maple sugar simple syrup in advance. Maraschino liqueur and nocino add a nutty cherry taste to the recipe. White whiskey brings a mildly sweet burn to the mix. 

Good things come in simple packages. The Nocino Manhattan doesn’t overly complicate its recipe. The cocktail tweaks the traditional Manhattan recipe into a flavorful, nutty sip. The drink builds upon a semi-sweet brandy base. Nocino and black walnut bitters combine to double the nut flavors. The resulting cocktail is complex and sophisticated. 

The Tricolore is as much a dessert as it is a cocktail. The layered drink is basically a delicious alcoholic pudding-who could ask for anything more? Strawberries lend the Tricolore a vivid red hue and a sweet, bright fruit flavor. Bartenders combine mascarpone and cream into a mild blend with the slightest sour bite, complemented beautifully by nocino’s nuttiness. The final cocktail is sweet, filling, and satisfying. 

Nocino usually infuses cocktails with a cool-weather flavor, but the Italian Sidecar tastes like summer. The drink modifies the traditional Sidecar recipe into a warm, bright, nutty delight. Brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice work together to lend the Sidecar a citrus taste. The full, fruity flavor works with nocino’s walnut-spiced elements to create a pleasant, easy-to-drink cocktail.