Holiday Chestnut Sour

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Classic orgeat is almond-based, but this portion gives it a seasonal twist by utilizing roasted chestnuts with a smoky mezcal and affluent sherry.

To work the accompanying story, see: Looking for a vacation cocktail? Try a hoary aged chestnut.

We utilized Del Maguey’s Vida for the mezcal, but immoderate mezcal with a bully smoky enactment volition enactment good present (to springiness that “roasting connected an unfastened fire” taste). Note that the orgeat besides works good arsenic a creamy sweetener successful coffee.

You should marque the chestnut orgeat successful beforehand to springiness it clip to cool; it tin beryllium refrigerated for up to 1 week.

From Spirits columnist M. Carrie Allan.

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 1 (makes astir 3 cups chestnut orgeat syrup)

For the chestnut orgeat

2 cups peeled, roasted, coarsely chopped chestnuts
6 full dried allspice berries
1/4 spoon crushed cinnamon
1/2 spoon salt
1/4 spoon Angostura bitters
1/4 cupful packed airy brownish sugar
2 cups water
1 cupful acheronian rum

For the drink

Ice
1 1/2 ounces mezcal (see headnote)
3/4 ounce Pedro Ximenez sherry
1/2 ounce caller citrus juice
Star anise pod, for garnish, (optional)

Nutritional Facts

Per serving

Calories
180
Carbohydrates
10 g
Sodium
30 mg
Sugar
4 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

From Spirits columnist M. Carrie Allan.

Tested by M. Carrie Allan.

Published December 6, 2018

Updated March 16, 2026