Benson Cocktail

Name: Benson Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 2 oz / 60 ml Bourbon or Rye Whiskey; 1 oz / 30 ml Dry Vermouth; 0.5 oz / 15 ml Bénédictine D.O.M.; 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Ingredients Instructions

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.

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.