Can You Make Nocino With Black Walnuts

Yes, you can make nocino with black walnuts, and it turns out beautifully with a deep, earthy flavor that some folks actually prefer over the traditional English walnut version.
 
If you’ve been wondering whether black walnuts work for this classic Italian liqueur, the short answer is a resounding yes.
 
Black walnuts bring their own bold, slightly wild character to the bottle, so the process is absolutely worth trying if you have access to these trees.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through why black walnuts work so well for nocino, how to make nocino with black walnuts step by step, and a few tips so your batch turns out smooth instead of harsh.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Why You Can Make Nocino With Black Walnuts

You can make nocino with black walnuts because the key requirement is simply unripe green walnuts, and black walnuts fit that bill perfectly.
 
Here’s why this works so well:
 

1. Black Walnuts Are True Walnuts

Black walnuts belong to the same family as the English walnuts traditionally used in nocino, so the basic chemistry is the same.
 
That means the green hulls contain the same bitter compounds and aromatics that give nocino its signature flavor.
 
So when you make nocino with black walnuts, you’re working with a fruit that behaves almost identically to the classic version.
 

2. Black Walnuts Bring a Bolder Flavor

Black walnuts are known for their intense, earthy, almost wine-like taste, and that intensity translates right into the liqueur.
 
When you make nocino with black walnuts, the finished drink tends to have a deeper, more rustic character than the milder English walnut version.
 
Some people describe it as having notes of dark chocolate and dried fruit layered over the usual spice.
 

3. The Green Hulls Are What Matter

For nocino, you’re not using the hard shell or the nut inside at all.
 
You’re using the whole unripe green fruit, hull and all, before the shell hardens.
 
Since black walnuts also produce those green unripe fruits in early summer, you can make nocino with black walnuts using the exact same timing and technique.
 

How to Make Nocino With Black Walnuts

Making nocino with black walnuts follows the same traditional method, just with your black walnut harvest instead.
 
Here’s the process:
 

1. Harvest Green Black Walnuts in Early Summer

You want to pick black walnuts while they’re still green and soft, usually in late June or early July depending on your climate.
 
At this stage, the hull is firm but easy to slice, and a skewer slides right through.
 
If the shell has started to harden inside, it’s too late to make nocino with black walnuts from that batch.
 

2. Quarter the Walnuts and Add Spices

Cut each green black walnut into quarters and drop them into a clean glass jar.
 
Add your spices, like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a vanilla bean, along with lemon zest if you like.
 
These aromatics are what make nocino with black walnuts taste warm and complex rather than flat.
 

3. Cover With Alcohol and Sugar

Pour in a neutral spirit, like vodka or Everclear diluted to about 100 proof, until the walnuts are fully covered.
 
Add sugar to taste, though many recipes call for about one cup per liter of spirit.
 
Now seal the jar and let it sit somewhere cool and dark.
 

4. Infuse for at Least 40 Days

This is the part where patience pays off when you make nocino with black walnuts.
 
Shake the jar gently every few days and let the green hulls steep for at least 40 days, though eight weeks is even better.
 
The liquid will turn from clear to a deep, almost black color as it infuses.
 

5. Strain, Sweeten, and Bottle

Once the flavor is rich enough, strain out the solids through a fine mesh or cheesecloth.
 
Taste it, and add a little more sugar syrup if it’s too bitter for your liking.
 
Bottle your nocino with black walnuts and let it mellow for another month or two before drinking.
 

Tips for Better Nocino With Black Walnuts

A few small moves make a big difference when you make nocino with black walnuts.
 

1. Wear Gloves When Handling Green Walnuts

Green black walnut hulls stain your hands a deep brown that lingers for days.
 
Wear disposable gloves while cutting and jarring them so you don’t walk around with stained fingers.
 

2. Don’t Skimp on the Infusion Time

If your nocino with black walnuts tastes sharp or overly bitter, it probably just needs more time.
 
Letting it rest longer smooths out the harsh edges and brings the spice forward.
 

3. Store It Cool and Dark

Keep your bottled nocino with black walnuts in a cool, dark cabinet, where it will keep for years and only improve.
 

So, Can You Make Nocino With Black Walnuts?

You can absolutely make nocino with black walnuts, and the results are every bit as delicious as the traditional version.
 
The same green hulls, the same spices, and the same patience are all you need.
 
If you’ve got black walnut trees nearby, grabbing a few green fruits in early summer is all it takes to get started.
 
Hope this helps you make nocino with black walnuts and enjoy a bottle that’s truly your own.