Benson Cocktail

The Benson Cocktail is a rich and complex drink that beautifully balances the spice of rye or the sweetness of bourbon with the herbal complexity of Bénédictine liqueur and dry vermouth. Stirred and served "up," it's a wonderfully smooth and warming cocktail. Its depth of flavor makes it a perfect choice for those who appreciate classic, spirit-forward recipes with an elegant twist.
Benson Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Benson Cocktail is a classic, spirit-forward cocktail, typically enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif. It falls into the category of stirred whiskey drinks, similar in style to a Manhattan or a Vieux Carré.

Serving

Serve this potent, spirit-forward drink cold in a chilled coupe or martini glass. It's a relatively small but strong cocktail designed for sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 3.5 oz / 105 ml
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Benson Cocktail was created in the early 20th century at the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon. It was the hotel's signature drink, crafted to offer patrons a sophisticated and unique alternative to the more common cocktails of the era. The drink reflects the classic style of the time, combining American whiskey with European liqueurs to create a balanced and memorable sipper.
Origin
United States, specifically the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, circa the early 1910s.

Benson Cocktail

This cocktail is primarily known as the Benson Cocktail or The Benson Hotel Cocktail, named after its place of origin. The shorter name, "The Benson," is also commonly used among enthusiasts familiar with the drink's history.
Original name
Benson Cocktail
Alternative names
  • The Benson Hotel Cocktail
  • The Benson

Characteristics overview

The Benson Cocktail presents a rich, smooth texture and a beautiful amber hue, with aromas of whiskey and herbs. Its flavor is a complex balance of spirit-forward spice, herbal sweetness from Bénédictine, and a dry finish, leaving a long, warming aftertaste.
Flavor
Spirit-forward, Herbal, Complex, Slightly sweet, Spicy, Oak
Aroma
Aromatic, Whiskey spice, Herbal, Honey, Lemon oils
Taste balance
Sweet, Bitter, Spirituous
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Herbal, Spicy
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Amber, Golden-brown, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Silky, Rich
Seasonality
Warming, Autumnal, Wintery, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by the strong, spicy character of the whiskey, balanced by moderate herbal bitterness and a gentle sweetness. This is a potent, non-carbonated drink with a high flavor intensity.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires three alcoholic components: a base of American whiskey, dry vermouth, and the herbal liqueur Bénédictine. Aromatic bitters are also essential to complete the flavor profile.
  • Bourbon or Rye Whiskey2 oz / 60 ml
    Rye whiskey will provide a spicier character, while bourbon will make the drink slightly sweeter and rounder.
  • Dry Vermouth1 oz / 30 ml
    A quality French dry vermouth is recommended.
  • Bénédictine D.O.M.0.5 oz / 15 ml
    This sweet herbal liqueur is essential for the cocktail's signature flavor.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters2 dashes
    Adds complexity and binds the flavors together.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar equipment for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a bar spoon, a jigger, and a strainer. Chilling the serving glass beforehand is also recommended.
  • Mixing glass for stirring the ingredients.
  • Bar spoon for stirring.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accuracy.
  • Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) to hold back ice when pouring.

Instructions

Preparation involves chilling the serving glass, combining all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and stirring until cold. The final steps are to strain the drink into the chilled glass and garnish with an expressed lemon twist.
1. Chill a coupe or martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the whiskey, dry vermouth, Bénédictine, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for about 20-25 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Discard the ice from your serving glass.
6. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the chilled coupe glass.
7. Take a swath of lemon peel, express the oils over the surface of the drink by twisting it, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish. Expressing the oils from the peel over the surface of the drink adds a bright, citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's richness.
  • Lemon twist, expressed over the drink and dropped in or placed on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally free from common allergens such as caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten, making it suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets. Always check the labels of specific liqueur brands if you have severe allergies.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate amount of calories, primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the Bénédictine liqueur. It is relatively low in carbohydrates and sugar compared to more fruit-juice-heavy drinks.
Calories
Averagely 200-230 kcal / 837-962 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 7-9 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 6-8 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is ideal for sophisticated gatherings, as a contemplative evening sipper, or as an elegant pre-dinner drink. Its classic, warming character makes it particularly suitable for cooler weather and formal occasions.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Evening Drink
  • Hotel Bar Setting
  • Pre-Dinner Drink

Pairing suggestions

The Benson Cocktail pairs well with savory and rich flavors that can stand up to its bold character. Consider serving it alongside a platter of aged cheeses and charcuterie, or simply with a bowl of high-quality salted nuts. For a dessert pairing, dark chocolate provides a wonderful contrast.
  • Salted nuts
  • Cheese board with aged cheeses
  • Charcuterie
  • Dark chocolate

The Benson Cocktail: A Taste of Portland's History

The Benson Cocktail is a hidden gem from the golden age of American cocktails, offering a sophisticated and satisfying experience for any whiskey lover. Its elegant balance of spicy whiskey, dry vermouth, and sweet, herbal Bénédictine creates a complex yet approachable flavor profile. Perfect for a quiet evening or a classy gathering, this stirred cocktail is a testament to the timeless appeal of well-crafted, spirit-forward drinks. It's a journey back to the classic hotel bars of the early 20th century in a single glass.

Similar Cocktails

Manhattan

A classic Manhattan uses sweet vermouth instead of dry and omits the Bénédictine, making it simpler and typically sweeter.

Vieux Carré

Shares rye whiskey and Bénédictine, but the Vieux Carré is more complex, adding Cognac, sweet vermouth, and Peychaud's bitters.

Bobby Burns

Uses Scotch whisky as the base instead of American whiskey, but also features vermouth (sweet) and Bénédictine.

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