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Nelson's Blood

Nelson's Blood Cocktail

3.8 25 ratings

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz Cognac (brandy)
1 1/2 oz Ruby port

How to make

Serve in a coupe glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

  1. 3 STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

23.2% alc./vol. ยท 1.5 standard drinks

History

This aptly named, blood-red cocktail balances the richness of port with the complexity of cognac. Popular in British pubs.

Following the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805, the British Royal Navy asserted its dominance, capturing numerous vessels from the combined French and Spanish fleets without losing a single ship of its own. However, the conflict resulted in the death of Admiral Lord Nelson, who sustained a mortal wound aboard HMS Victory. To preserve Nelson's remains during the return voyage to England, the ship's surgeon directed that his body be submerged in a cask of French brandy. Despite the cask being secured on deck and guarded, anecdotal accounts suggest that sailors drank the brandy as a gesture of respect for their commander.