Widow's Kiss
Apple brandy with Bénédictine and yellow Chartreuse. Rich and herbal.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 33% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Apple brandy (Calvados)
- 22.5 ml Bénédictine
- 22.5 ml Yellow Chartreuse
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Cocktail cherry (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 45 ml apple brandy (Calvados) into the mixing glass
- Pour 22.5 ml Bénédictine into the mixing glass
- Pour 22.5 ml Yellow Chartreuse into the mixing glass
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
About the Widow's Kiss
Created by George Kappeler at the Holland House hotel in New York and printed in his 1895 book Modern American Drinks.
The spirit-forward family. This is a spirit-forward drink, made mostly of spirit and liqueur with no juice to soften it. Drinks like this were the heart of the golden age of cocktails, from the 1860s to Prohibition in 1920, and many were collected in Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book (1930). Stir them cold and serve them small.
Widow's Kiss FAQ
What's in a Widow's Kiss?
45 ml apple brandy (calvados), 22.5 ml bénédictine, 22.5 ml yellow chartreuse, 2 dashes angostura bitters, garnished with cocktail cherry.
How strong is a Widow's Kiss?
About 33% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.9 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Widow's Kiss?
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 Widow's Kiss in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
