Ingredients
- 1.25 oz Hazelnut Liqueur
- .75 oz Cherry Brandy
Instructions
Shake:
- Pour 1.25 oz hazelnut liqueur and 0.75 oz cherry brandy into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake hard to blend the flavors.
Strain:
- Strain the mixture over rocks in a glass.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a cherry and a few orange slices.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This drink is a modern creation, almost certainly inspired by the popular ‘Hunger Games’ series. It is not a classic recipe with a storied past, but rather a playful homage to a cultural phenomenon. You will find it appearing in home bars and themed events rather than old cocktail tomes, likely conceived by a fan with a knack for mixing.
It sits in the broad category of liqueur-forward dessert cocktails, similar to a Nutty Irishman or a Chocolate Martini in its richness, but distinct in its specific hazelnut and cherry profile. Its simplicity and reliance on just two main liqueurs sets it apart from more complex builds that often involve base spirits or fresh citrus.
This is a drink you would typically mix at home for a movie night, or perhaps find on a special menu at a themed bar during a convention or a pop culture event. It is less a staple of the classic cocktail lounge and more a fun, contemporary pour for specific occasions or a sweet treat after dinner.
What it tastes like
The first sip of The Mockingjay Cocktail delivers a rich, sweet hazelnut note, immediately followed by a bright, tart cherry burst. The mid-palate maintains this delightful interplay, with the nuttiness providing a grounding warmth against the fruit. The finish is lingering, sweet, and lightly alcoholic, a pleasant dessert in a glass.
With 1.25 oz of 20% ABV hazelnut liqueur and 0.75 oz of 25% ABV cherry brandy, this drink contains roughly 0.43 oz of pure alcohol before dilution. After shaking, it is a relatively moderate cocktail, less potent than a spirit-forward Old Fashioned but generally stronger than a standard beer. It is designed for flavor, not extreme potency.
The technique
Building The Mockingjay Cocktail is as simple as it gets. Combine your hazelnut liqueur and cherry brandy in a shaker with a good amount of ice. Give it a vigorous shake to ensure proper chill and dilution, then strain it over fresh ice in a rocks glass. The garnishes are purely for presentation here, adding visual appeal more than flavor depth.
The key technique for this drink is a hard, fast shake. Because it is a liqueur-heavy cocktail, you want to achieve maximum chill and a good amount of dilution to soften the sweetness and integrate the flavors without making it watery. A half-hearted shake leaves it warm and cloying, which spoils the experience.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Hazelnut Liqueur
- Use
- Frangelico is the standard here, offering a rich, sweet, and distinctly nutty profile. Nocello is another excellent option.
- Skip
- Do not use Amaretto. While also a nut liqueur, its almond flavor is distinctly different and will fundamentally alter the drink’s character.
- Why
- This ingredient forms the core nutty, sweet base of The Mockingjay Cocktail, providing its signature warmth and depth. Without it, the drink loses its identity.
Cherry Brandy
- Use
- Cherry Heering or Bols Cherry Brandy are ideal, providing a sweet, tart, and deeply cherry flavor with a good alcoholic kick.
- Skip
- Avoid using Maraschino Liqueur, which is drier and has a more complex, distinct cherry profile. Also, do not substitute with grenadine, as it is a non-alcoholic syrup and will lack the necessary depth and alcohol content.
- Why
- This ingredient delivers the essential sweet and tart cherry notes that balance the hazelnut, creating the cocktail’s distinct fruity dimension. It is crucial for the overall flavor profile.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Mockingjay Sour
- Add a citrus kick
- Introduce 0.75 oz of fresh lemon juice to cut through the sweetness and add a bright, tangy element. Shake with the other ingredients.
Dark Mockingjay
- Introduce a base spirit
- Add 1 oz of a dark rum or aged brandy to the shaker. This will lend a deeper, more complex spirit backbone and slightly increase the drink’s potency.
Sparkling Mockingjay
- Add some fizz
- After straining the shaken mixture into your glass, top it off with 2-3 oz of club soda or sparkling wine for a lighter, effervescent version.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a praline liqueur for a similar nutty sweetness, or a nut-flavored syrup combined with a neutral spirit. The specific hazelnut profile will be missed.
A high-quality cherry liqueur or a cherry-infused vodka can work, but the depth and specific sweetness of a true cherry brandy will be different.
Stir the ingredients vigorously with ice in any sturdy glass or mixing vessel for at least 30 seconds, then strain. It will not be as aerated or as cold, but it gets the job done.
Any short, sturdy drinking glass will serve the purpose just fine. A small tumbler or even a wine glass can work in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a The Mockingjay Cocktail?
The Mockingjay Cocktail contains 1.25 oz of hazelnut liqueur and 0.75 oz of cherry brandy. It is garnished with a cherry and orange slices.
Is The Mockingjay Cocktail very sweet?
Yes, The Mockingjay Cocktail is quite sweet due to its liqueur-heavy composition. It is designed to be a dessert-style drink.
What kind of hazelnut liqueur should I use for The Mockingjay Cocktail?
Frangelico is a widely available and excellent choice for the hazelnut liqueur, providing a consistent and rich flavor.
Is The Mockingjay Cocktail strong?
It is moderately strong, containing roughly 0.43 oz of pure alcohol before dilution. This makes it comparable in alcohol content to a standard glass of wine, but less potent than many spirit-forward cocktails.
Can I make The Mockingjay Cocktail less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, you can add a small dash, about 0.25 oz, of fresh lemon juice to the shaker. This will introduce a tart counterpoint.
What is the best way to garnish The Mockingjay Cocktail?
A fresh or brandied cherry and a few thin orange slices are the traditional and most visually appealing garnishes for this drink.
Can I use cherry juice instead of cherry brandy?
No, cherry juice is not a suitable substitute. Cherry brandy provides alcohol, complexity, and a specific depth of flavor that cherry juice cannot replicate.
Is The Mockingjay Cocktail considered a dessert drink?
Absolutely. With its rich, sweet, and fruity profile, The Mockingjay Cocktail functions perfectly as a delightful after-dinner treat.
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