The Counterfeit: Bourbon + Bénédictine

This French liqueur dates conclusively to 1863, and with less evidence to the sixteenth century. It has a biting, herbal, medicinal quality that can do a swing dance or quadrille with bourbon, depending on other ingredients and your mood. This drink by Paul Calvert of the Ticonderoga Club in Atlanta balances citrus with the herbal […]

This French liqueur dates conclusively to 1863, and with less evidence to the sixteenth century. It has a biting, herbal, medicinal quality that can do a swing dance or quadrille with bourbon, depending on other ingredients and your mood. This drink by Paul Calvert of the Ticonderoga Club in Atlanta balances citrus with the herbal elements of amaro and Bénédictine, with the bourbon providing the steady bass drumbeat in the background.


Ingredients

    • 1 dash lemon bitters (may be omitted)


    • ½ oz. amaro (Meletti or Montenegro recommended)

    • ½ oz. Bénédictine

    • ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice

    • 1½ oz. high-rye bourbon

    • Lemon peel, for garnish


Preparation

  1. Put all ingredients except lemon peel in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over ice, and garnish with lemon peel.