Redcoat
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 22.5% ABV ∙
The Redcoat is a stirred spirit-forward cocktail of Cognac, Dubonnet, cherry liqueur, and Manzanilla sherry, finished with a maraschino cherry. Rich and velvety, with a saline, nutty edge cutting through the sweetness and a long, warming finish that lingers on the palate.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Cognac 45 mlDubonnet/French rouge aromatised wine 30 mlCherry liqueur 30 mlManzanilla sherry 15 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Tips
- Pre-chill the coupe before straining — this build has no dilution buffer once it hits the glass, so a warm glass dulls it fast.
- Use a fino-style Manzanilla sherry with real salinity; a flat or oxidized bottle loses the dry counterpoint the drink needs.
- Stir until well-chilled, about 30 seconds, so the Cognac and Dubonnet fully integrate with the sherry's brine.
History
The Redcoat is a modern cocktail credited to bartender J. E. Clapham, who created it in 2021 and described it as a rich digestif-style drink built around cognac, red quinquina, cherry liqueur, and Manzanilla sherry. The combination of a brandy base with an aromatized wine, a fruit liqueur, and a dry sherry places it among a wave of contemporary stirred, spirit-forward cocktails that reinterpret older aperitif and digestif templates rather than following a historic recipe of its own.
FAQ
What is a redcoat drink?
The Redcoat is a stirred, Cognac-based cocktail strained into a coupe and garnished with a maraschino cherry, its wine-tinged character coming from a full measure of Dubonnet alongside the brandy.
Is redcoat an offensive term?
No, redcoat is not considered a slur or an offensive term. It is a historical nickname for British soldiers, referring to the color of their uniform coats, and remains in common historical use today.
Why were they called redcoats?
British soldiers were nicknamed redcoats because of the red woolen coats that formed the standard uniform of most regiments from the 17th through 19th centuries. The name became shorthand for British infantry, especially during conflicts like the American Revolutionary War.
