Merry Widow
Gin and dry vermouth with a whisper of Bénédictine and absinthe. Elegant and aromatic.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 25% ABV
Ingredients
- 40 ml Gin
- 40 ml Dry vermouth
- 5 ml Bénédictine
- 2 dashes Absinthe
- 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
- Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 40 ml gin into the mixing glass
- Pour 40 ml dry vermouth into the mixing glass
- Pour 5 ml Bénédictine into the mixing glass
- Add 2 dashes of absinthe
- Add 2 dashes of Peychaud's bitters
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
Measure the Bénédictine carefully. A little goes a long way.
About the Merry Widow
The vermouth cocktail family. Vermouth reached American bars in the 1860s and 1870s, and bartenders began stirring it with whiskey, gin and brandy. That gave us the Manhattan and the Martinez, the ancestor of the Martini. Drinks in this family are stirred rather than shaken, and they are all about the balance between the spirit and the aromatised wine.
Merry Widow FAQ
What's in a Merry Widow?
40 ml gin, 40 ml dry vermouth, 5 ml bénédictine, 2 dashes absinthe, 2 dashes peychaud's bitters, garnished with lemon twist.
How strong is a Merry Widow?
About 25% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.1 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Merry Widow?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve a Merry Widow in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
