CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1890–1919
Widow’s Kiss
Apple brandy, yellow Chartreuse and Bénédictine: a honeyed, herbal nineteenth-century nightcap.
1895Historical classicResearched
The Widow’s Kiss was created by George J. Kappeler at New York’s Holland House Hotel and published in his 1895 Modern American Drinks. Kappeler’s recipe combines apple brandy, Bénédictine, yellow Chartreuse and a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters. It remains a rare, spirit-forward curiosity from the golden age of American bartending.
THE RECIPEHerbal, apple-rich and honeyed
Ingredients
- Apple brandy45 ml
- Yellow Chartreuse22.5 ml
- Bénédictine22.5 ml
- Angostura bitters2 dashes
- Cherryto garnish
Method
Stir the brandy, Chartreuse, Bénédictine and bitters with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a cherry.
Coupe · no ice · cherry