
Sherry is a very misunderstood wine style. It comes in a wide range of styles, from dry and citrusy to medium-bodied with some sweetness and nuttiness to deeply coloured, luscious, very sweet with a thick feeling on the palate. These wines each have a place in a meal or sipping on their own.
But, what you may not know, is that you can make cocktails using sherry. I received three sherries to review for you. I will tell you about each one sipped on their own then give you some cocktail recipes using the sherries and finally my cocktail tasting notes.
The three sherries I have to taste are Alvear Fino, Alvear Medium Dry, and Alvear Solera 1927 Pedro Ximénez. The winery, Bodegas Alvear, has a long history of making sherry, starting in 1729.
Palomino is the predominant grape used for Sherry. 98% of the vineyards for sherry in Spain are planted with Palomino. Pedro Ximénez is one of the other grape varieties. It has a high sugar content and higher acidity to produce high-quality sweet sherry wine.
My Wine Tasting Notes

Bodegas Alvear Fino – Bodegas Alvear Fino has a medium-intensity bright lemon colour with a green tint. Medium-plus aromas with citrus, brine, and nuttiness. It is dry, medium-plus body with a smooth mouthfeel. Nuttiness and citrus on the palate. Along with pepperiness on the mid-palate to the finish. Higher acidity. A long, dry finish. This style of sherry is known for its light body and is perfect for pairing with seafood or light tapas.
Bodegas Alvear Medium Dry – Bodegas Alvear Medium Dry is a versatile sherry that balances dryness and sweetness. It has a clear bright mix of mahogany and copper colours in the glass. Light aromas of woodiness, spice and a touch of brown sugar. Lighter body, off-dry with a lean, smooth mouthfeel and light pepperiness. Light flavours of brown sugar, some woodiness, a hint of orange peel and light nuttiness toward the finish. Medium-plus acidity. Medium-plus length finishing with lingering brown sugar flavour. The medium-dry nature provides a harmonious sweetness that makes it well-suited for various dishes, from savoury to slightly sweet foods.
Bodegas Alvear Solera 1927 Pedro Ximénez – Bodegas Alvear Solera 1927 Pedro Ximénez is a rich and opulent sherry. It is opaque mahogany colour to the rim. Medium intensity, deep aromas of caramel, molasses, and touches of woodiness and orange peel. It is fuller bodied, sweet with a thick,smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Rich, concentrated flavours of molasses and caramel along with a touch of orange peel. Also, light pepperiness that gets stronger on the finish. Medium length. This sherry is ideal as a dessert wine or enjoyed on its own, and pairs beautifully with rich cheeses or desserts like chocolate cake and crème brûlée.
Sherry Cocktails
Now, you don’t need to sip sherry on its own, lightly chilled. Sherry is also very versatile and can be enjoyed as a key ingredient for cocktails. Here are three cocktail recipes I gleaned from the internet for each type of sherry.
Fino Sherry Cocktails
1. Fino Spritz
– 2 oz fino sherry
– 1 oz sparkling water
– 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
– Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions: Build over ice in a wine glass. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon twist.
2. Adonis
– 1 1/2 oz fino sherry
– 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
– 2 dashes orange bitters
– Orange twist, for garnish
Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
3. Fino Martini
– 2 oz fino sherry
– 1/2 oz dry vermouth
– Lemon twist or olive, for garnish
Instructions: Stir fino sherry and dry vermouth with ice in a mixing glass, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.
Medium Dry Sherry Cocktails
1. Tuxedo Cocktail
– 1 1/2 oz medium dry sherry
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
– 1/4 oz absinthe
– Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
2. Harvest Moon
– 2 oz medium dry sherry
– 1/2 oz apple brandy
– 1/2 oz orange liqueur (e.g., triple sec)
– Dash of orange bitters
– Apple slice, for garnish
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple slice.
3. Sherry Cobbler
– 2 oz medium dry sherry
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
– Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries)
– Orange wheel, for garnish
– Mint sprig, for garnish
Instructions: Muddle berries and simple syrup in a shaker. Add sherry and ice, then shake and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with an orange wheel and mint sprig.
Pedro Ximenez Sherry Cocktails
1. PX Flip
– 1 1/2 oz Pedro Ximenez sherry
– 1 oz dark rum
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
– Whole egg
– Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Instructions: Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
2. Pedro Collins
– 2 oz Pedro Ximenez sherry
– 1 oz lemon juice
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
– Club soda
– Lemon wheel, for garnish
Instructions: Shake Pedro Ximenez sherry, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass, top with club soda, and garnish with a lemon wheel.
3. PX Old Fashioned
– 2 oz Pedro Ximenez sherry
– 1/4 oz simple syrup
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Orange twist, for garnish
Instructions: Stir sherry, simple syrup, and bitters with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Express the oils from an orange twist over the drink and garnish.
The Cocktails I Made

Fino Spritz (with fino sherry)
This cocktail was simple to make as you add everything to your wine glass. I used a white wine glass, one I use for Chardonnay, to build this cocktail. The cocktail has a light lemon or pear skin colour. It is quite citrusy on the nose along with almonds and celery. Lighter-bodied, dry with lemon, a touch of elderflower, light tanginess and bitterness on the palate. The sparkling water adds an extra bit of freshness. A cool sip for the summer. I suggest using 1 oz of elderflower liqueur for this cocktail.
Sherry Cobbler (with medium dry sherry)
I made this cocktail using strawberries. After muddling and mixing them with the sherry, the cocktail colour had an orange-strawberry red tone. I could smell the sherry, but not much of the strawberries. The ratio of sherry to simple syrup made this cocktail, lightly sweet. It is smooth with some nuttiness and a touch of strawberry flavour. I only used two medium strawberries. I am unsure if muddling an extra (3rd) strawberry would have imparted a stronger strawberry aroma or flavour to this cocktail. Something I should try again. I did enjoy this cocktail. It is refreshing to sip.
Pedro Collins (with Pedro Ximenez sherry)
This cocktail has a deep mahogany colour in the glass. Citrus on the nose. Quite citrusy with a touch of molasses in the background on the palate. It is light-bodied, tastes quite dry and is refreshing. I like the bubbles in the cocktail coming from the club soda. There is nothing that I would do to modify this cocktail recipe.
To Conclude
As you can see, sherry wines come in a variety of styles, which can be sipped on their own, or mixed in cocktails. If you want to learn more about sherry, where it is made and how it is made, you can read my article, SHADES OF SHERRY Seminar at VanWineFest 2018. Enjoy.