17 Sherry Cocktails for a Fortified Fun Time
It’s a bit of a secret handshake: When we see sherry cocktails on a drink menu, we know that they are likely bartender favorites. The fortified wine—which exists in a broad range of styles—can add light, refreshing, almost saline notes to a drink. Or a deep, nutty, almost raisin-like baseline. Drinks with sherry often have complex flavors even if they don’t require a lengthy list of ingredients. The only downside is that sherry doesn’t last long—it is wine, after all—so you need to keep any open bottles in your fridge and use them swiftly. Luckily, you’ll find lots of great ways to drink through those bottle below. Let’s get sipping.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton1/17Sherry Colada
Not all sherry cocktails are low-ABV, but sherry can be a great base for lower-proof drinks. The rich, nutty flavors of oloroso sherry, which is aged in contact with oxygen, work well as a sub for rum in this riff on the piña colada.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne2/17Bizzy Izzy Highball
The combination of rye whiskey, pineapple, and sherry sounds pretty current, but this forgotten cocktail dates back to 1917.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott5/17Under-the-Mistletoe Punch
Nutty, spicy amontillado meets cranberry juice in this festive large-format punch. Feel free to scale it down by half if you’re not expecting a huge crowd.
6/17New Spain
The Penicillin is usually made with savory scotch, lemon, honey, and ginger. This variation leaves out the whisky and subs in amontillado sherry and earthy mezcal instead.
Photo by Ed Anderson7/17Sherry Cobbler
Cocktail columnist Al Sotack calls this ornately decorated sherry drink a “19th-century banger.” Put a friend to work crushing ice for this classic cocktail if you don’t have access to a countertop ice machine that’ll dispense the good stuff at a push of a button.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton9/17No-Sleep-Till-Santa Eggnog
Even folks who are hesitant about classic eggnog become obsessed with this blender-batched recipe, which masterfully balances rum, sherry, and brandy with coffee to cut the drink’s sweetness. Make some now and let the flavors meld for a week or two in your fridge.
Photo by Kelly Puleio10/17Perfect Circle
This big-batch sherry spritz is meant for serving before dinner with salty snacks. Get out the olives and potato chips!
Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo11/17Remember the Alimony
Lovers of bitter cocktails will adore this three-ingredient drink made with Cynar, crisp fino sherry, and gin.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott15/17Hey Hey, My My
Aperol adds a coral hue and boost of citrus flavor to this refreshing sherry and grapefruit juice cocktail.
Photo by Ed Anderson16/17Up-to-Date Cocktail
Amontillado sherry and rye hold court alongside Grand Marnier and Angostura in this Manhattan-like cocktail.
