Mandarine Napoléon
Swan's Nest Rd
Unit 30, Kilbarrack Shopping Centre
Grange
Dublin
D05 N2F6
Ireland
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About this product
Sicilian Mandarins, Fine Cognac and Over 130 Years of Heritage.
Some liqueurs have a story that is every bit as distinctive as their flavour. Mandarine Napoléon is one of them: a celebrated Belgian creation dating back to 1892, inspired by the combination of mandarins and Cognac said to have been enjoyed by Napoleon Bonaparte himself.
The original idea is attributed to Antoine-François de Fourcroy, Napoleon's physician, who experimented with macerating mandarins in alcohol before blending the resulting distillate with Cognac. Decades later, Belgian chemist Louis Schmidt rediscovered the recipe and brought the liqueur to market, creating a distinctive spirit that has remained a favourite among bartenders and liqueur enthusiasts.
At the heart of Mandarine Napoléon are carefully selected Sicilian mandarins, whose fragrant peels are macerated to capture their essential citrus character. These are combined with fine Cognac and a carefully balanced selection of botanicals and spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, angelica and green and black tea. The result is a beautifully layered liqueur that brings together bright citrus freshness, rich spirit character and warming aromatic complexity.
The nose opens with natural mandarin zest, supported by woody spice and the richness of Cognac. On the palate, sweet mandarin takes centre stage, accompanied by cinnamon, nutmeg, marmalade and delicate hints of liquorice. Its smooth, full-bodied character finishes with a pleasing balance of sweetness and dryness.
More than just an orange liqueur, Mandarine Napoléon is a versatile bottle for the home bar. It can be enjoyed neat or over ice, but its real personality shines in cocktails, where its combination of citrus, Cognac and spice adds depth that ordinary orange liqueurs simply cannot replicate.
Why we love it:
Mandarine Napoléon offers a wonderfully different take on citrus liqueurs, combining the fragrant sweetness of Sicilian mandarins with the richness of Cognac and a beautifully judged blend of spices. It has enough complexity to enjoy on its own, yet its versatility makes it a fantastic cocktail ingredient. A genuine classic that deserves more attention behind the home bar.
Country of origin
Belgium
Tasting notes
Colour
Warm, bright amber with golden-orange highlights.
Nose
Fresh mandarin zest, woody spice and a rich underlying Cognac character.
Palate
Sweet mandarin, nutmeg and cinnamon, with hints of marmalade and liquorice, leading into a smooth finish that balances sweetness with a delicate dryness.
Serving suggestion
Mandarine Napoléon is excellent served neat or slightly chilled as an after-dinner liqueur, allowing its mandarin and Cognac character to develop slowly. Over ice, it becomes a wonderfully aromatic drink, with the citrus freshness balanced by warming spice.
For cocktails, it is a particularly interesting alternative to conventional orange liqueurs. Try it in a Sidecar, combine it with ginger ale and fresh lime for a refreshing long drink, or use it to add a distinctive mandarin dimension to champagne and sparkling wine cocktails.
Easy Home Cocktail – Mandarine Ginger
- 40ml Mandarine Napoléon
- 120ml ginger ale
- 15ml fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wedge
Fill a tumbler with ice and pour in the Mandarine Napoléon and fresh lime juice. Top with chilled ginger ale and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge. The ginger brings a lively, warming kick, while the lime balances the mandarin sweetness, creating a refreshing long drink that lets the liqueur's aromatic character shine.
Size, cl
70
ABV, %
38.0
About the producer
Mandarine Napoléon was first commercialised in Belgium in 1892, drawing inspiration from a recipe associated with Napoleon Bonaparte and his physician, Antoine-François de Fourcroy. The brand was acquired by Dutch distiller De Kuyper in 2009 and, in 2026, became part of the PAGÈS VEDRENNE Group. Its long history and distinctive recipe have helped establish it as one of the classic mandarin liqueurs, appreciated by professional bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts around the world.