Cedratine liqueur: an overview, what it is made of, how to buy the real thing + 10 cocktail recipes

Zest, also called citron. This is an amazing fruit, which can weigh up to 4 kg and have a zest thickness of up to 1-2 cm. The pulp is not juicy at all, and the zest contains a large amount of essential oils.

This citrus is not consumed fresh, but it is often used in culinary products and alcoholic beverages, and the most famous is the Cedratine liqueur.

About Cedratine liqueur

This liqueur is considered the national alcoholic beverage of two countries at once, France, or rather its autonomous territory in the Mediterranean - the island of Corsica and Tunisia.

But as for the history, both claimants to this drink claim that the original drink was invented by monks back in the days of the Roman Empire.

In Tunisia, Cedratine is produced by the Felix Habib company & Co. But it is rather a replica of the liqueur, which is made from lemon and orange peel with a strength of 40 degrees, while the original drink is made exclusively from the peel. But despite this, Tunisians are very proud of their drink, and tourists appreciate its taste.

In France, the history of the creation of this liqueur is gaining momentum. In 1880, Louis Napoleon Metay, a distiller from Bastia, resumed the production of Cedratin using the ancient technology and in 1900 patented TM L.N. Mattei.

Today, it is the only company that produces real Cedratine liqueur, its strength is 30 degrees, and if you want to feel the real taste of this unusual drink, you can safely buy a plane ticket and go straight to Bastia on the island of Corsica.

Production of Cedratine liqueur

The main uniqueness of the production of the alcohol we are considering lies in an unusual fruit - the zest. Corsica is one of several countries where this rare citrus is grown.

The zest of this fruit is left to macerate (infuse) in wine alcohol for a year, after which the extract is distilled and further mixed with syrup, then flavored with distillate and brought to the taste standards of Mattei.

Bottle and label of Cedratin liqueur

1. Cedratine (Tunisia)

   Available in a 750 ml transparent bottle that vaguely resembles a cognac bottle.

   Such packaging allows you to clearly see the color of the drink, it is a beautiful amber color, but has a certain transparency.

   The label depicts a traditional Tunisian arch.

   

2. Mattei (Corsica)

   It is produced in a transparent corrugated bottle of 500 ml.

   The label depicts a zest, which once again confirms the authenticity of this liqueur.

   The drink has a beautiful golden color.

   

Culture of consumption of Cedratine

Despite the strength of this drink, it is a classic digestif and should be served after a feast.

It is best to drink this liquor in its pure form from a "cold glass", for this you need to throw an ice cube into a glass and then pour the liquor. It is in this form that the true taste and aroma of this unusual drink is revealed.

The original Cedratine liqueur is not recommended for cocktails, because you simply cannot take it and mix it with other ingredients that will interrupt the unique taste and aroma.

If you want to feel like a bartender and make a couple of cocktails, it is better to take the Tunisian version of this liqueur.

Strong citrus cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 70 ml

2. Orange slice

3. Cocktail cherry

4. Mint - 2-3 leaves

5. Ice

The method of preparation

1. Grind mint leaves at the bottom of the glass.

2. Then add all the ingredients and stir lightly.

3. Insert a straw when serving.

Banana mania cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 70 ml

2. Lemon juice - 20 ml

3. White rum - 100 ml

4. Semi-sweet sparkling wine - 100 ml

5. Banana - 1 pc.

6. Ice

Method of preparation

1. Mash the banana with a blender.

2. Pour the prepared mashed potatoes, juice, liqueur and rum into a shaker. Stir all ingredients thoroughly.

3. Add crushed ice to the glass, pour the contents of the shaker and fill the empty space with sparkling wine.

Cocktail Journey to the South

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 40 ml

2. Orange peel spiral

3. Dry sparkling wine

The method of preparation

1. Pour liqueur into a champagne glass.

2. Then add cold sparkling wine.

3. Garnish with an orange peel spiral when serving.

Mirabelle cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 20 ml

2. Gin - 20 ml

3. Pink vermouth - 20 ml

4. Orange juice - 20 ml

5. Sparkling wine

6. Ice

Method of preparation

1. Shake all ingredients thoroughly in a shaker (except sparkling wine).

2. Strain the contents of the shaker through a strainer into a champagne glass.

3. Fill the empty space with sparkling wine.

Cocktail Red bubbles

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 40 ml

2. Red grape juice - 50 ml

3. Tonic

4. Ice

The method of preparation

1. Put ice in a tall glass, pour cocktail and juice.

2. Then fill the entire empty space of the glass with tonic.

Variation of the Caipirinha cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 40 ml

2. Lime - a few slices

3. Crushed ice

Method of preparation

1. Pour liqueur into a glass and add lime wedges.

2. Add crushed ice before serving.

A variation of the Kamikaze cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 20 ml

2. Vodka - 40 ml

3. Lemon juice - 10 ml

Method of preparation

1. Mix all ingredients in a shaker.

2. Pour the contents of the shaker into a pre-chilled martini glass.

D.B.Y. cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 20 ml

2. Campari liqueur - 20 ml

3. Grapefruit juice - 20 ml

4. Dry sparkling wine

5. Ice

Method of preparation

1. Mix two liqueurs and citrus juice in a shaker with ice.

2. Strain the contents of the shaker through a strainer into a champagne glass.

3. Now fill the remaining space with sparkling wine.

Queen Mary cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 30 ml

2. Cognac - 30 ml

3. Absinthe - 1 dash

4. Grenadine - 1 desh

5. Cocktail cherry - 1 pc.

6. Ice

Method of preparation

1. Mix all ingredients in a shaker.

2. Strain the contents of the shaker into a glass.

3. Garnish with a cocktail cherry when serving.

Red Rock Canyon cocktail

Ingredients

1. Cedratine liqueur - 7 ml

2. Peach brandy - 7 ml

3. Crème de Cassis liqueur - 7 ml

4. Vodka - 45 ml

5. Campari liqueur - 15 drops

6. Cocktail cherry - 1 pc.

7. A slice of orange

8. Ice

Method of preparation

1. Mix all ingredients (except Campari and fruit) in a shaker.

2. Put ice in a Collins glass and strain the contents of the shaker.

3. Then add Campari liqueur.

4. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice when serving.

Update: 07.12.2017

Category: Liqueurs and Tinctures