Mandarine Napoleon is a Belgian-Dutch liqueur with a strength of 38% vol. based on cognac with the addition of tangerines, spices and aromatic herbs. The drink is produced by De Kuyper. According to legend, the drink was created for Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte at the turn of the 1892th and XNUMXth centuries, and appeared on free sale only in XNUMX.
Features
Mandarin Napoleon has a golden-orange color, a rich bouquet with tones of citrus, vanilla, cloves and other spices. It is a sweet drink with a bright and fresh aftertaste. Alcohol owes its yellow color to saffron and caramel, the product does not contain artificial flavors or dyes.
The technology for the production of liqueur Mandarin Napoleon is kept secret, it is only known that the zest of Mediterranean tangerines, fresh Sicilian oranges, green tea, cloves, coriander, nutmeg and about 20 other herbs are macerated in alcohol, then the liquid is triple distilled and kept for 3 years. After this period, the concentrate is sent to Holland, where it is blended with aged cognac and sugar is added.
History
It is believed that the modern version of the liquor was invented by the French pharmacist, the son of a pharmacist, Antoine-Francois de Fourcroy. As a member of the government, the young man often met with the emperor and wrote down the details of these meetings in his personal diary. One of these records allegedly contained a recipe for a liqueur, which was recreated a century later by the Belgian winemaker Louis Schmidt.
The first commercial version of the drink appeared in 1892, the Schmidt family worked on the composition of the liquor until World War II, when their Brussels winery had to be closed. Then the production of the drink was continued by the Fourcroy family, which has been producing alcohol since 1862. So the recipe went back to the descendants of its inventor.
In 1998, production moved to the Distillerie de Biercee winery, known primarily for fruit brandy. In 2009, due to the global financial crisis, the business had to be sold to the Dutch manufacturer De Kuyper, but the fruit distillate from the secret ingredients for the liquor is still produced in Belgium.
How to drink Tangerine Napoleon
Liquor can be drunk neat after a meal at room temperature or with ice from liquor shots or martini glasses. Any dessert will do.
Cocktails with Mandarin Napoleon
- Bonaparte‘s Manhattan. In an ice-filled shaker, mix together 3 parts rye whiskey, 1 part Martini Rosso sweet vermouth, one part or less of Mandarin Napoleon liqueur, ½ part Averna Amaro herbal liqueur. Serve with a cocktail cherry.
- Mango Collins. One and a half parts vodka, ½ part Mandarin Napoleon, 3 parts mango nectar and 1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice. Shake all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, pour into a highball glass, top with club soda to taste. Serve with a mango wedge.
- Waterloo. 2 parts Genever gin, ½ part Belgian tangerine liqueur, 1/8 part Jägermeister. Mix in a chilled glass to serve.
- Christmas Special. 2 parts cognac, ½ part each sherry and Mandarin Napoleon liqueur, ¼ part Toschi Nocello walnut liqueur. Shake and serve in a chilled glass, garnish with orange zest.
- Bonaparte. 3 parts sparkling water, 1 part freshly brewed hot espresso, 1,5 parts Mandarin Napoleon. Pour all the ingredients one by one, in order, into a collins glass so that they settle down in layers. Garnish with an orange slice.
- Mandarit. At the bottom of an old fashioned glass, crush 12 mint leaves, add one part vodka and freshly squeezed lime juice, one and a half parts tangerine liqueur, 1/8 part sugar syrup. Pour ice to the middle of the glass, stir, top up with soda. Serve with a sprig of mint.