Chambéry Cocktail
I’m constantly fascinated about what I discover that’s food- and drink-related online! The way I came across this incredible recipe is because I’d enjoyed a Sumac Spritz during a family trip this past winter. I was searching for something similar, and found this!
This unique cocktail from the Australian magazine Gourmet Traveller, using a liqueur I’ve never heard of before. And I was dying to taste it.
It’s called Chambéryzette – a unique strawberry liqueur that can be sort-of created by creating a 50-50 mixture of dry vermouth and strawberry liqueur, but I wanted the real thing! And because of the internet I ordered it online! It’s a peachy-red in color and honestly tasted like cough syrup to me.
According to google: Chambéryzette is a historic French strawberry-infused aperitif created by Rosalie Dolin in 1902. Produced in Chambéry by Maison Dolin, it blends Vermouth de Chambéry blanc with natural Alpine strawberry flavors. This 16% ABV drink is known for a light, bittersweet, and aromatic profile, traditionally served chilled, with soda, or in cocktails. (I recommend with bubbly!)
Google also stated that the aperitif of Chambéryzette is a staple in the French Alps as well as Parisian café terraces.
Chambéry Cocktail
printable recipe below
Grapefruit rosé:
Finely grated zest of 1/2 large or 1 small pink grapefruit
25 ounces rosé
Sumac syrup:
1 tbsp ground sumac
3 1/2 ounces sugar
Chambéry Cocktail:
1 ounce Chambéryzette
1 1/2 ounces soda water
To garnish: sliced strawberries and grapefruit twists (optional)
For grapefruit rosé, combine grapefruit zest and rosé in a container, seal and refrigerate overnight to infuse. Strain through muslin, transfer to a bottle and reserve. Makes 25 ounces. Grapefruit rosé will keep refrigerated for a week.
For sumac syrup, combine sumac in a heatproof container with 6 1/2 ounces boiling water and stand to cool to room temperature. Strain through muslin, stir in sugar, then transfer to a bottle and reserve. Makes about 8 1/2 ounces. Sumac syrup will keep refrigerated for 2 weeks.
For the cocktail, combine 2 1/2 ounces grapefruit rosé, Chambéryzette and o.6 ounces sumac syrup to a glass filled with ice.
Top with soda, stir gently, garnish with strawberries and grapefruit, and serve.
This cocktail is more like a spritz to me, which is perfect! It’s light and bubbly and refreshing. And pretty!
The grapefruit and strawberry flavors stand out. The sumac does not, although I’m sure it’s in there, it’s just not distinct. The cocktail itself was fun to try, but requires way too much prep. But I will continue to play with the Chamberyzette.
Chambéry Cocktail
Grapefruit rosé
Finely grated zest of ½ large or 1 small pink grapefruit
25 ounces rosé
Sumac syrup
1 tbsp ground sumac
3 1/2 ounces sugar
Chambéry Cocktail
1 ounce Chambéryzette
1 1/2 ounces soda water
To garnish: sliced strawberries and grapefruit twists (optional)
For grapefruit rosé, combine grapefruit zest and rosé in a container, seal and refrigerate overnight to infuse. Strain through muslin, transfer to a bottle and reserve Makes 25 ounces. Grapefruit rosé will keep refrigerated for a week.
For sumac syrup, combine sumac in a heatproof container with 6 1/2 ounces boiling water and stand to cool to room temperature. Strain through muslin, stir in sugar, then transfer to a bottle and reserve. Makes about 8 1/2 ounces. Sumac syrup will keep refrigerated for 2 weeks.
Add 2 1/2 ounces grapefruit rosé, Chambéryzette and 3/5 ounce sumac syrup to a glass filled with ice. Top with soda, stir gently, garnish with strawberries and grapefruit, and serve.
About the Author: Chef Mimi
Perfect for a hot summer afternoon!
Absolutely!
By the looks of things you are in the right place to enjoy the drink. Lovely background with sparkling water and a palm tree or two! :))
Hahahahahaha! Thank you! It was a fun vacation!
Feel a bit foolish living in Australia and having never heard of it or seeing the bottle. Looks inviting but we would not call such a ‘cocktail’ but just a ‘long drink’ such as G&T. ‘Gourmet Traveller’ has been around forever and is a very interesting source of information . . . certainly one of my local favourites even if not as Asian-directed as most of our large number of magazines devoted to food and wine.
I honestly have no idea what constitutes a cocktail, I’m just glad the drink didn’t taste like cough syrup!
I think I’d really love this cocktail Mimi and thanks for introducing it to us! :)
You are so welcome! It was a lot of work!
Oh i’ve never heard of that drink either. Sounds amazing Mimi. and looks so pretty.
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
It is definitely pretty! I loved the grapefruit rosé!
I’m sure I have a bottle of Chambéryzette in my fridge. I’m going to check so I can finally use it, if that’s what it is!
Ohhhhhhh this is exciting!!!
The drink sounds very interesting! That’s a great photo of you! Barb
Thanks! I look good in vacation photos!!!
That cocktail sounds absolutely lovely, Mimi – elegant, fresh, and so inviting.
It’s quite involved but worth the trouble!
I’d love to try this drink! The grated grapefruit zest is such an interesting touch.
I don’t think I’ve ever used grapefruit zest!
I’d love to try this drink! The grated grapefruit zest is such an interesting touch.
Interesting! I’ve never heard of Chambéryzette, but we’ve tried a handful of similar liqueurs over the years. It’s fun to play around in the kitchen with new flavors/ingredients!
Definitely! Liqueurs are so fun.
I bet I’d love this drink! People say that many of my favorite liqueurs taste like cough syrup. So I take it as a plus, lol! Sounds very refreshing, perfect for a late spring or summer dinner on the patio.
Oh interesting! Well this fortunately didn’t end up tasting bad with the other interesting elements!
What a pretty cocktail, it looks very refreshing. I have to admit, a lot of cherry flavoured things taste like cough syrup to me! The sumac would give it a nice sourness.
Exactly. Fake cherry flavor is the worst. This wasn’t bad with the other elements!
We were just at the edge of the French Alps and did see Chambéryzette in stores. I never tried it, now I wish I had. Sounds like a lovely cocktail, Mimi.
Oh how funny! I hope you’re having a fabulous vacation. (I know you are.)
Chef Mimi, I have been loving a good cocktail lately. This one is perfect. Cocktail season is officially open!
Velva
Mine never ended. 😬
Thanks for introducing us to Chambéryzette! I have never tried it but your recipe sounds so refreshing and lightly fruity and floral. Perfect summer sipper.
It was fun to make all the parts. Too much work, though!
Well this certainly looks like fun! I love discovering new and interesting ingredients, and this is one I’ll get for sure. Thank you for the intro. This is my kind of cocktail and would be so pretty to serve at outdoor dinner parties this summer. :-) ~Valentina
Thank you Valentina! It’s definitely an interesting cocktail! Very summery!
Even if it was a lot of prep, it totally reads like one of those kitchen adventures that’s worth it just for the discovery
A good cocktail is always worth the prep time!