COCKTAIL MADE WITH BENEDICTINE

Created as an herbal medicine by a Benedictine monk named Dom Bernardo Vincelli in France in 1510, Benedictine has a dramatic history. Enjoyed for generations as an elixir for longevity, the spirit's recipe was lost when the monastery was destroyed during the French Revolution, only to be rediscovered in a cache of old books purchased by an art collector and wine merchant in 1863.

The long list of ingredients is a tightly guarded secret, but the liqueur is known to contain cognac, saffron, vanilla and honey. Commonly mixed with brandy, Benedictine is also an essential ingredient in a host of classic and contemporary cocktails, ranging from a New Orleans standard such as the VIEUXX CARRE and the rich and ethereal WINDOW'S KISS to flavorful modern-day drinks such as the MONTE CASSINO, from Damon Dyer at LOUIS 649 in New York. Wilson lists Benedictine as an essential element in any home bar, and professional bartenders are equally generous with their praise.

In his recent "Shaken & Stirred" column for the NY-TIMES,Jonathan Miles quotes Dyer: "We don't always need to reach for the newest, shiniest, flashiest-labeled product on the shelf. Shiny and new aren't always better."

And for an article I wrote for IMBIBE  in 2008 that covered the liqueur,Seattle bartender Murray Stenson told me that liqueurs such as Benedictine and Chartreuse—also created centuries ago by an order of French monks—were "the best thing that ever came out of organized religion."

Typically priced around $35, Benedictine isn't cheap, but since most recipes call for it in small quantities, a bottle will last years for most home bartenders.

I consider myself a big Benedictine fan, and always keep an extra bottle on hand since replacements can sometimes be hard to find locally. Are you a fan too? What are your favorite ways to enjoy it?

             HOW TO MAKE COCKTAIL  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkF9SBLRIME

in 2012 Goose launched a new flavored vodka called Cherry Noir and the Cherry Lane is one of the signature cocktails. Actually, this is one of the finer cherry-flavored cocktails that I have seen in a long time. Not normally a fan of cheery infusion, this one is a great change of pace - not the 'cough syrup' taste of many - and in this drink it is enhanced with the lovely combination of herbs found only in Benedictine.

You may notice that the flavor of bitters is undefined. By default this would lead us to use an aromatic bitter such as that from Angostura or Peychaud. However, I challenge you to think out of the box a bit more and experiment with a citrus, even a chocolate bitter, any of which make an equally nice compliment to the drink.

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

Yield: 1 Cocktail

  

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 parts Grey Goose Cherry Noir vodka
• 3/4 parts benedictine liqueur
• 1 1/2 parts lemon juice
• 3/4 parts simple syrup
• 1 dash bitters
• cherries for garnish

Preparation:

1. Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously
2. Strain into a cocktail glass  and garnish with cherries on a cocktail pick.

HOW TO MAKE :-FRISCO SOUR  COCKTAIL:

The Frisco Sour is very similar to the classic WHISKEY SOUR. The difference is that the Frisco uses BLENDED WHISKEY along with the Cognac-based BENEDICTINE. Add lime to the lemon and you have one great sour drink.

 

FRISCO SOUR

A complex rye cocktail in which Benedictine plays a small but delicious role, the Frisco Sour marries the spiciness of rye to the sweet herbal qualities of Benedictine. But because Benedictine's sweetness can so easily overpower other ingredients, it's held in check here by lemon juice. In this dry, bracing drink, rye takes the forefront.

Note: If the drink is too dry for your taste, increase the Benedictine to 3/4 ounce.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz blended whiskey
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz Benedictine
• lemon slice for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a COCKTAIL SHAKER with ice cubes.
2. SHAKE WELL
3. Strain into a sour glass.
4. Garnish with the lemon slice.       

   About This Recipe

   YIELD:	makes 1 cocktail
   ACTIVE TIME:	5 minutes
   TOTAL TIME:	5 minutes
   SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:	cocktail shaker and strainer

     

Ingredients

• 2 ounces rye whiskey(BOURBON)
• 1/2 ounce Benedictine (see note above)
• 1/2 ounce fresh juice from 1 lemon

Procedures

1. 1
   Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add rye, Benedictine, and lemon juice. Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into cocktail glass and serve