This post contains affiliate links. See our disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Coronation is a low-ABV sherry cocktail that was created by Harry Craddock and included in his 1930 recipe book, The Savoy Cocktail Book. This Gilded Age recipe, which was named for Edward VII’s coronation, is traditionally made with fino sherry, dry vermouth, cherry liqueur, and citrus.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Fino Sherry: This is the base spirit. It’s a type of fortified wine that is drier and has a slight almond flavor.
Dry Vermouth: This is a fortified wine that adds sweetness. We used Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry because it’s light and airy.
Cherry Liqueur: This adds cherry flavor. We used Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur for its earthy aroma and sweet, creamy cherry flavor.
Orange Bitters: This adds a bit of the citrus’s sweet flavor to balance out the other ingredients. We used Scrappy’s Bitters Orange Bitters because they offer the classic taste of bitter oranges, herbs, and spices.
Orange Peel: This is the garnish. It adds a bit of orange aroma and flavor when dropped into the drink.
Tasting Notes
The Coronation features aromas of sherry and orange and a fairly muted initial taste followed by the dominant flavors of vermouth and sherry after swallowing.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: Overall, we thought it was a lovely, light cocktail that’s not sweet at all but still easy for both of us to drink. We could imagine aristocrats sipping it at a glamorous event where they don’t want to lose face after too many drinks.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Art of Vintage Cocktails by Stephanie Rosenbaum.
AuthorThe Art of Vintage CocktailsPrep Time5 minsAdd sherry, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, bitters, and ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with orange peel.
Ingredients
Directions
Add sherry, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, bitters, and ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with orange peel.
Tools & Glassware We Recommend
More Sherry Cocktails
If you like this sherry-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
• Trident: An aquavit and sherry cocktail made with Cynar, peach bitters, and a lemon peel
• King Neptune’s Tonic: An Oloroso sherry cocktail made with dark rum, coffee liqueur, tonic water, and a lemon twist
• Adonis: A fino sherry cocktail made with sweet vermouth, orange bitters, and an orange peel
• Cranberry Cobbler: A sherry cocktail made with cranberry syrup, orange slices, an orange wedge, mint, and cranberries
