In the world of spirits and liqueurs, there are the familiar faces – the gins, the whiskeys, the rums that form the bedrock of our cocktail repertoire. And then there are the enigmatic outsiders, the bottles that beckon from the back bar with an air of mystery and a promise of untold depths of flavor. Nocino Liqueur is one such bottle, a captivating spirit with a history as rich and dark as its color.
A Liqueur Shrouded in Magic and Tradition
Before we dive into the delicious cocktails that Nocino Liqueur can create, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate the centuries of history that have led to this exquisite liqueur. The story of Nocino begins not in a distillery, but in the groves of walnut trees, under the light of the summer solstice. The origins of this walnut liqueur can be traced back to the Picts and Druids of ancient Britain, who would concoct a special brew from green walnuts to commune with mystical beings around the summer solstice.
When the Romans conquered Britain, they adopted this tradition, eventually Christianizing it by associating it with the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24th. This is the day when green walnuts are traditionally harvested for Nocino, a practice steeped in folklore and superstition.
Legend has it that walnuts must be gathered by barefoot women who climb the trees to select the best nuts, a ritual believed to ward off evil spirits. The association with witchcraft and magic has clung to Nocino throughout the centuries, adding to its mystique.
From its pagan roots, Nocino found its way to Italy, where it became a beloved tradition, especially in the Emilia-Romagna region. Monasteries in the Middle Ages produced Nocino for its medicinal properties, and over time, it evolved into the treasured after-dinner drink and cocktail ingredient we know today. Each family would have its own secret recipe, passed down through generations, a testament to the enduring appeal of this unique liqueur.
Meet Juglone: The Walnut Tree’s Secret Weapon
If you’ve ever cracked open a fresh black walnut hull and wound up with stained fingers for days, you’ve already met juglone. This naturally occurring compound—its scientific name is 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone—is the walnut tree’s way of playing defense.
Juglone is a walnut-derived quinone compound that changes color from pale yellow to dark brown due to oxidation, has long been used as a natural dye, and plays a critical ecological role by suppressing neighboring plant growth through allelopathic effects.
Freshly released from the husk, juglone looks pale and harmless, but give it a little air and light and it quickly oxidizes, turning a deep brown that once made it a go-to natural dye for fabrics and wood.
But juglone isn’t just about pretty colors (or stubborn stains). It’s also allelopathic, meaning it keeps rival plants at bay, working as a natural herbicide against plants that compete with walnut tree saplings. Tomatoes, apples, and azaleas, for example, often struggle to grow near walnut trees because juglone blocks their ability to breathe at the cellular level. Other plants, like corn and beans, shrug it off without a fuss. In short, juglone helps walnuts keep their personal space in the crowded forest. It's also responsible for the inky brown color of finished Nocino Liqueur.
So, while Nocino is all about transforming unripe walnuts into a warming liqueur, part of its magic lies in the walnut tree’s chemistry itself—a reminder that even in the orchard, walnuts have a few tricks up their sleeve.
Nocino in Italy: From Emilia-Romagna’s Protected Spirit to Campania’s Folk Magic
Few liqueurs capture Italy’s blend of ritual, agriculture, and conviviality like nocino. Its story winds from the tidy legal frameworks of Emilia-Romagna to the folkloric heart of Campania, where witches, solstice rituals, and family recipes keep the tradition alive. Whether codified in Modena’s official registers or whispered into Campania’s folklore, nocino remains a bridge between the agricultural year and the convivial table. It’s a drink with two personalities: the precise and protected spirit of Emilia-Romagna and the folk-magic digestivo of Campania.
Nocino di Modena: Protected by Law
In Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, Nocino di Modena isn’t just a tasty digestivo—it’s a formally protected geographical indication (GI) under European Union law. That means only liqueur made in the Province of Modena can carry the name, and it has to follow strict rules:
The nuts: Unripe walnuts (Juglans regia), traditionally picked on St. John’s Day (June 24).
The infusion: Walnuts chopped and steeped in alcohol for at least four months.
The finish: Six months of aging, careful blending with sugar, water, and optional spices like cinnamon or cloves, and then bottling only in glass.
The specs: Between 38–43% ABV, 150–400 g/L of sugar, and a hefty 250 g of walnut husk per litre.
These details aren’t trivia—they’re written into European regulations to ensure the liqueur in your glass tastes like it always has in Modena.
Campania’s Nocillo: Magic, Memory, and the Family Table
Travel south to Campania, and nocino takes on another name: nocillo (or nucillo in local dialect). Instead of a GI, nocillo is recognized as a PAT (Prodotto Agroalimentare Tradizionale)—a traditional food of cultural importance.
Here, the liqueur is tied to folklore and ritual:
The solstice harvest: Walnuts gathered barefoot at dawn on St. John’s Day, when the nuts are said to hold mystical power.
Local lore: In Benevento and the Sannio hills, nocillo is bound up with legends of witches (janare) and midsummer magic.
At home: Families macerate walnuts all summer, often with symbolic numbers of spices (say, 13 walnuts or 3 cloves). The finished liqueur emerges at Christmas or All Saints’, poured as a digestivo and shared among friends.
In Naples and along the Sorrentine coast, the region’s famous walnuts give their stamp to nocillo, reinforcing the local pride in each family’s unique recipe.
New Deal's Portland-Crafted Nocino
Here in Portland, we have embraced the spirit of this ancient tradition with our own Distiller's Workshop Nocino Liqueur. As part of our experimental, limited-release line of spirits, our small-batch Nocino Liqueur is a true labor of love. It’s crafted from an in-house infusion of English walnuts foraged from around the Portland area in late June, honoring the traditional harvest time.
These green walnuts are infused in house-distilled grain-neutral spirits and sweetened with organic cane sugar. To round out the infusion and add layers of complexity, we add a blend of whole botanicals and spices, including clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The result is a liqueur that is both deeply traditional and uniquely Portland.
Released annually around Halloween, this ultra-small-batch Nocino is a coveted item for those in the know, a delicious after-dinner sipper that can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks with a citrus twist. Our Nocino Liqueur showcases the richness of walnuts without being overwhelming, allowing it to blend seamlessly into mixed drinks, both as a star or as a supporting player alongside gin, whiskey, rum, cream, bitter herbs, or citrus.
Taste the Nocino neat first, on a large ice cube, to get its base profile.
When mixing, start conservatively with syrup or sweet components; let the liqueur’s own sweetness & nuttiness shine.
Don’t rush: many of the spices and walnut aromas unfold over time or with slight dilution & temperature changes.
Crafting Cocktails with Nocino Liqueur
We have developed a range of cocktail recipes that showcase the versatility of Nocino Liqueur. From simple and refreshing to complex and contemplative, there's a Nocino cocktail for every palate and occasion. Whether you’re looking for something simple & refreshing, something festive, or dessert‑like decadence, you really have several drinks’ worth of inspiration in one bottle. And because green walnut liqueur has sweet, bitter, and tannic dimensions, it pairs beautifully with foods that echo those elements—such as creamy desserts, roasted or cured meats, rich cheeses, root vegetables, and dark chocolate. Below, we explore some of these recipes and how you can bring the magic of Nocino Liqueur to your home bar.
Let’s start with something simple and refreshing. The Nocino & Tonic is a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the flavors of Nocino without overwhelming your palate. This easy-peasy fall drink takes little effort but gives dynamite walnut flavor. The bitterness of the tonic water balances the sweetness of the Nocino, while the nutty and spicy notes of the liqueur shine through. The lemon twist adds a bright, citrusy aroma that lifts the whole drink.
When to Serve: Ideal as a warm-weather afternoon drink or an easy aperitif. Also works mid‑meal to refresh the palate. Pair it with a charcuterie board featuring prosciutto, salami, and other cured meats alongside a light appetizer like grilled prawns with citrus marinade, roasted almonds, or goat cheese crostini with lemon zest. The tonic and citrus help cleanse your palate between bites; the walnut in the drink echoes nutty flavors in small bites.
For whiskey fans who enjoy a classic sour, the Nocino Sour is a must-try. This cocktail is a beautiful balance of sweet, sour, and boozy, with the Nocino adding a unique depth of flavor. Here we shake our Distiller’s Reserve Bourbon with fresh lemon juice, bitters, and simple syrup. The tart citrus cuts through the Nocino’s richness, the bitters add backbone, and the bourbon brings warmth and spice.
When to Serve: Ideal for cooler evenings or when you want something with a bit more punch. This drink really is a wonderful Holiday season pick-me-up. While it's a fairly versatile cocktail to pair with food, it would make a great accompaniment to classic holiday spreads, such as roast pork with apple chutney, duck breast with orange glaze, smoked salmon on rye toast, creamy pasta dishes, or roasted chicken. For dessert, serve a classic New York-style cheesecake.
Any Manhattan fans out there? Perhaps you might enjoy this sophisticated and seasonal twist on the classic. This Nocino Manhattan has just the right amount of bittersweet walnut notes to complement the smooth fruitiness of the Distiller's Workshop Brandy, while the walnut bitters bring the flavors full circle.
When to Serve: Ideal for savoring slowly on a cool evening or as an after-dinner drink to complement dessert. The dark, nutty flavors of the cocktail pair beautifully with strong, complex flavors like dark chocolate truffles, blue cheese & fig jam crostini, smoked cheddar with walnuts, or a flourless chocolate cake.
Feeling indulgent? If the answer is yes, you’ve got to try the Nocino Alexander. Yes, this slightly retro treat is decadent and creamy, but it balances walnut and baking spice flavors beautifully. The New Deal Spiced Rum and Nocino Liqueur create a warm, inviting flavor profile, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnut. The cream and simple syrup give the cocktail a luscious, velvety texture. You’ll also love the generous dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg for garnish.
When to Serve: This cocktail is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Great for sipping slowly, it's a dessert in itself, but it would also be a delicious accompaniment to a warm apple crumble, a slice of pumpkin pie, or a serving of bread pudding.
Negroni fans looking for a fun seasonal variation should definitely check out the Solstice Negroni. It’s made with our savory garden Gin No. 1, Nocino and Campari liqueurs. The Nocino replaces the traditional sweet vermouth in this recipe, adding a nutty and spicy complexity that plays beautifully with the bitter notes of the Campari and the botanical notes of the gin. Very evocative of holiday flavors, some people say it tastes like Christmas in a glass.
When to Serve: The bittersweet flavor profile makes it an excellent aperitif. Pair it with a charcuterie board of prosciutto and aged Gouda, a bitter greens salad with citrus vinaigrette, or salty snacks like olives, pickled veggies, and nuts.
Don't let the cute name fool you: the Snow Bunny is a sophisticated and surprisingly complex cocktail that perfectly showcases the versatility of Nocino. Think “winter root vegetable meets holiday spice.” For this cocktail, we get creative with the earthy sweetness of carrot juice, a surprisingly delicious match for the baking spice notes in our small-batch Spiced Rum. A splash of spicy Ginger Liqueur adds complexity, and the Nocino imparts fabulous nutty flavors. Shake it all together and garnish with a piece of candied ginger.
When to Serve: This cocktail's unique flavor profile makes it a great cocktail to pair with a variety of Fall and Winter dishes. It would be a fantastic accompaniment to spicy Thai curry, flavorful Moroccan tagine, or creamy root vegetable gratin. Finish with a gingerbread cake or carrot cake ice cream.
With Nocino Liqueur being the ultimate cold-weather liqueur, no recipe roundup would be complete without a delicious hot drink to toast the start of cozy season. In the Cafe Cully, our New Deal Coffee Liqueur pairs with earthy, nutty Nocino and piping hot coffee. To tie it all together, we top it with maple walnut whipped cream to add a touch of sweetness and a creamy texture that makes this drink utterly irresistible.
When to Serve: The Cafe Cully doubles as an absolutely fabulous brunch cocktail or a delightful after-dinner drink. Consider brunch pairings like butternut squash & kale quiche, pumpkin pecan French toast, sweet potato hash with chorizo, or savory sausage and Swiss strata. To accompany dessert, try coffee-based sweet treats like tiramisu, espresso brownies, pecan pie, or a chocolate lava cake.
The Allure of Darkness
We consider our Nocino Liqueur to be more than just a spirit; it's an invitation to explore a world of flavor and history that is often overlooked. In a world of fleeting trends, there's something truly special about a spirit that has been enjoyed for centuries, a spirit that connects us to a time of magic, myth, and tradition.
Whether you're a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or a curious home bartender, we hope you'll seek out a bottle of this dark and mysterious liqueur. Experiment with the recipes, create your own, and discover the magic of Nocino for yourself. Go ahead, embrace the darkness. You might just find your new favorite cocktail.
Return of a Seasonal Favorite
For our Nocino Liqueur fans in the Portland Metro area, we invite you to join us at the distillery for our Release Party on Saturday, October 25th, from 3-6 PM. This casual gathering will welcome our 2025 Nocino Liqueur, the perfect spirit to carry you into the holiday season. Whether you’re a craft spirits enthusiast, a home bartender, or a lover of seasonal flavors, this is your chance to taste, learn, and take home a piece of Portland’s fall tradition. Three cheers for Cozy Season!
