De Kuyper Mandarine Napoleon Grand Liqueur

Mandarine Napoléon is a delightful liqueur with a rich history. Let me share some details about it:

Origin and History: Mandarine Napoléon Liqueur has been made since 1892. It’s a vibrant blend of handpicked mandarins from Sicily infused with cognac and 20 other botanicals from around the world. The story goes that it was created by Antoine-François de Fourcroy, a chemist and son of a pharmacist who served as a member of Emperor Napoléon’s State Council. Antoine supposedly crafted the recipe based on cognacs and mandarin oranges, especially for the Emperor. The mandarins, also known as tangerines, were considered exotic and had special health properties. The recipe was later discovered by a Belgian chemist, Louis Schmidt, who decided to create a liqueur based on it in 1892. The production eventually passed to the Fourcroy Company, and in 2009, the Dutch liqueur producer De Kuyper acquired Mandarine Napoléon.

Flavor Profile:

Nose: Intense mandarin peel with green piney notes, vanilla, cognac, and a hint of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Taste: Rich and slightly sweet with a syrupy mouthfeel. The sugar amplifies intense orange flavors with a refreshing bitter orange and zesty mandarin bite.
Aftertaste: Mandarin freshness and zesty bite last throughout the long finish.

Cocktail Recommendation: Mandarine Napoléon is especially recommended for sweetening cocktails made with dark spirits. Try it in a Mandarine Margarita for a delightful twist! 

Production: The liqueur is made from Sicilian oranges (mandarins). Production involves two separate macerations—one with chopped fresh mandarin oranges and the other with dried mandarin orange skins. A secret combination of 20 other botanicals, including nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, angelica, and tea, is added prior to distillation.
Enjoy exploring this unique and flavorful liqueur!