Shagbark's Sangaree (Madeira and Lemon Cocktail) Recipe

By
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman is a writer and editor focusing on cocktails and food. She was the managing editor for Serious Eats until 2016 and is the digital director for Epicurious.
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Updated Aug. 29, 2018
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Vicky Wasik

This drink, created by Derek Salerno of Shagbark in Richmond, Virginia, is packed with flavor, but not too much alcohol. In other words, it's ideal for pre-dinner sipping when you expect many glasses of wine to follow. The cocktail's deep, sweet, and nutty flavor comes from Madeira—look for a bottle labeled "Malmsey" to get the proper level of sweetness. The fortified wine tastes a bit like salted caramel and walnuts; the drink is brightened by shaking the Madeira with ice, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice. If you're scaling up the recipe, shake no more than two cocktails at a time.

Recipe Facts

Active: 2 mins
Total: 2 mins
Serves: 1 serving

Rate & Comment

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces (60ml) Malmsey Madeira (such as H. M. Borges Old Reserve Malmsey 10 Year or Blandy's 10 Year Malmsey)
  • 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup (see note)
  • 1/2 ounce (15ml) fresh juice from 1 lemon
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish

Directions

  1. Add Madeira, simple syrup, and lemon to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 12 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and serve.

Special equipment

Cocktail shaker and strainer, fine strainer, chilled coupe glass

Notes

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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