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Chrysanthemum

After dinner/digestif · Classic/vintage · Hall of Fame and must know/try

4.2 212 ratings

Ingredients

1 2/3 oz Dry vermouth
1/2 oz Bénédictine D.O.M.
4 dash Absinthe

How to make

Serve in a nick & nora glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a NICK & NORA GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. 3 STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour profile

18.8% alc./vol. · 0.9 standard drinks · 112 calories

History

Herbal and aromatic, this cocktail benefits from dilution achieved through a thorough stir.

The Chrysanthemum cocktail is documented in Hugo R. Ensslin's 1917 Recipes for Mixed Drinks, and potentially earlier in his 1916 First Edition. Ensslin's recipe calls for: CHRYSANTHEMUM COCKTAIL 3 dashes Absinthe ½ Benedictine ½ French Vermouth Stir well in a mixing glass with cracked ice, strain and serve with a twist of Orange Peel. Later, Harry Craddock featured it in his 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book, stating it was "Well-known and very popular in the American Bar of the S.S. Europa." Craddock's version is: CHRYSANTHEMUM COCKTAIL.* 3 Dashes Absinthe. 1/3 Bénédictine. 2/3 French Vermouth. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. Squeeze orange peel on top. *Well-known and very popular in the American Bar of the S.S. " Europa. " The drink's name may be derived from Scott Joplin's 1904 musical piece, "The Chrysanthemum," which was recorded in 1916.

Created by Harry Craddock