The term “Chocolate Soldier” is rooted in George Bernard Shaw’s 1894 play Arms and the Man, where it refers to a soldier who’s more about appearance than action—essentially “a good-looking but useless warrior.” The Chocolate Solider Cocktail likely borrowed its name from this cultural reference, much like other items inspired by literature and theater of the time.
Chocolate Solider Cocktail – Emergence
With a little research, several sources point to the early 1900s as the period when the Chocolate Soldier cocktail first gained popularity. You have to love the early 1900’s. It became known in bars and restaurants in the U.S. around this era, riding the wave of chocolate’s emergence as a luxe, indulgent ingredient.
Top 6 popular Brandy’s you need to know
- Philbert Rare Cask Sherry Finish Cognac
- Hennessy X.O Cognac
- Darroze Les Grands Assemblages 40 Year Armagnac
- Hine Homage Cognac
- Augler L’Oceanique Cognac
- Deau VS Cognac
Nb: According to Liquor.com – The 14 Best Brandies to Drink.
Best drinking Chocolate Soldier Cocktail
The Chocolate Solider Cocktail is the perfect dessert cocktail. Any time you have special occasion, a cold winter evenings (perfect in front of a fire), or when you’re in the mood for something indulgent and comforting
What’s in a Chocolate Solider Cocktail
Served as a decadent nightcap or as a dessert replacement. It is a sweet, creamy, and chocolate-forward cocktail. Its balanced with a subtle kick from the liqueur.
Brandy
Brandy is, at its core, a spirit distilled from fruit. Much like other major spirit categories, it comes in a wide range of styles to suit different tastes.
Dry Vermouth
Dry Vermouth is a light, herbal, fortified wine that brings complexity and dryness to cocktails, balancing stronger spirits. It is a famous ingredient of the classic martini.
Creme De Cacao
Crème de cacao is a sweet chocolate-flavored liqueur that’s been around since at least the 1600s. Which makes it one of the oldest liqueurs still in use today. Funny enough, despite the name “crème,” it doesn’t actually contain cream. The term refers to its high sugar content, which gives it a silky texture.
Angostura Bitters
Angostura Bitters is a highly concentrated flavoring made from herbs, spices, and botanicals steeped in alcohol. Despite being called a “bitter,” it’s technically classified as a flavoring agent, not a standalone drink. You will only ever use a few dashes at a time.
Ice
With this cocktail I highly recommend ice cubes.
Which glass do I use?
It’s perfect in a martini glass. The Riedel Vinum XL Martini Glasses (set of 2) is perfect. Of course if you are limited for glass choices, you can always use a short glass. Something like Libbey Heavy Base Rocks cocktail glasses, both are available from Amazon.
How to make the Chocolate Solider
This one is all cocktail shaker with ice. Make sure you get the measurements right and go for it.
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Chocolate Solider
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1
Description
The Chocolate Soldier cocktail is a rich, dessert-style drink that blends chocolatey sweetness with smooth creaminess, making it perfect as an after-dinner indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1 measure Brandy
- 1 measure Dry Vermouth
- 1 measure Crème de Cacao
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Pour into a cocktail shaker containing some ice cubes
- Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.
Notes
When to Drink It
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Perfect as a dessert cocktail
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Great for special occasions, winter evenings, or when you’re in the mood for something indulgent and comforting
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Cocktails
For more Brandy cocktails try these
The Chocolate Soldier cocktail is a century-old libation, with a name drawing from early 20th-century theater. Its a decadent sweet night time cocktail, enjoyed after a meal as a dessert.
Variations Over Time
Different cocktail variations have appeared over time, reflecting changing tastes and ingredient accessibility
The classic version – includes brandy, dry vermouth, crème de cacao, and a dash of bitters. Delivering a rich chocolate flavor balanced by the complexity of fortified wine.
Some recipes lean into chocolate’s elegance by pairing cognac, dark crème de cacao, dry vermouth, and orange bitters. Which gives it a more aromatic, sophisticated twist. Another approach uses gin with Dubonnet Rouge (a fortified wine with chocolatey notes) and lime juice. It makes it a lighter, more citrusy version of the cocktail.
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