Honeymoon Cocktail

The Honeymoon Cocktail is an elegant and beautifully balanced drink from the early 20th century. It combines the robust fruitiness of apple brandy with the sweet, herbal complexity of Bénédictine liqueur. The addition of orange curaçao and fresh lemon juice provides a bright citrus backbone, resulting in a cocktail that is simultaneously rich, aromatic, and refreshing. It's a perfect example of a forgotten classic that deserves a modern revival.
Honeymoon Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Honeymoon Cocktail is classified as a classic cocktail, originating from the pre-Prohibition era. It belongs to the "sours" family of drinks, which are characterized by a base spirit, a sour element (lemon juice), and a sweet element (the liqueurs).

Serving

Serve this moderately strong cocktail cold and straight up in a pre-chilled coupe or cocktail glass to maintain its crisp temperature and elegant presentation.
Serving size
Approximately 105 ml / 3.5 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Honeymoon Cocktail's exact origins are a bit hazy, but it first appeared in Hugo R. Ensslin's 1916 book "Recipes for Mixed Drinks". It was a popular serve at the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood during the 1930s. The name evokes romance and celebration, making it a fitting choice for special occasions. It's a classic sour-style drink that showcases the beauty of apple brandy as a base spirit.
Origin
United States, circa 1916.

Honeymoon Cocktail

The drink is most commonly known as the Honeymoon Cocktail, though it is sometimes shortened to simply "Honeymoon" on cocktail menus or in conversation.
Original name
Honeymoon Cocktail
Alternative name
Honeymoon

Characteristics overview

This cocktail has a complex aroma of apple, herbs, and citrus, leading to a balanced sweet and sour flavor with a silky texture. Its warming, fruity aftertaste makes it particularly suitable for autumn.
Flavor
Fruity (apple, orange), herbal, sweet, tart, complex, honeyed
Aroma
Aromatic, apple, herbal, citrus, spice
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Long, warming, herbal, fruity
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Light gold, pale yellow, clear
Texture
Silky, smooth
Seasonality
Refreshing, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is a balanced interplay of fruitiness, sweetness, and sourness, with a noticeable but not overpowering alcohol strength. The drink is completely still and not at all creamy, bitter, or spicy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four key ingredients: a base of apple brandy, two distinctive liqueurs (Bénédictine and Orange Curaçao), and freshly squeezed lemon juice for balance.
  • Apple Brandy60 ml / 2 oz
    American Applejack or French Calvados can be used.
  • Bénédictine D.O.M.15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A sweet and herbal French liqueur essential for the drink's profile.
  • Orange Curaçao15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Dry Curaçao is preferred, but other high-quality orange liqueurs like Cointreau or Grand Marnier can work.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and strainers to achieve a clean, ice-free drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Strainer (Hawthorne and fine-mesh) for a smooth pour.

Instructions

The process involves chilling a glass, shaking all liquid ingredients with ice until very cold, and double-straining into the glass before garnishing.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Add the apple brandy, Bénédictine, orange curaçao, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice until it is about two-thirds full.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the glass using both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to remove any ice shards.
6. Cut a swath of lemon peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink for aroma, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish, adding aromatic citrus oils that complement the drink's flavors.
  • Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink's surface and drop it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets and contains no caffeine.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately caloric with a notable sugar content, primarily from the liqueurs. The carbohydrate count is also in the moderate range for a classic cocktail.
Calories
Approximately 200-230 kcal / 837-962 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for celebratory or romantic occasions, such as an anniversary or a special dinner. Its warming, fruity, and herbal notes also make it an excellent choice for an autumn cocktail party.
  • Romantic Dinner
  • Celebration
  • Cocktail Party
  • Autumn Evening

Pairing suggestions

The Honeymoon Cocktail pairs wonderfully with foods that complement its apple and herbal notes. It's an excellent companion to a cheese board, fruit-based desserts like apple tart, or savory dishes such as roasted pork or duck.
  • Cheese Board (Aged Cheddar, Brie)
  • Apple Tart or Tarte Tatin
  • Roasted Pork or Duck Dishes
  • Spiced Nuts

The Honeymoon Cocktail: A Romantic Classic Reborn

The Honeymoon Cocktail is a delightful pre-prohibition classic that beautifully marries the fruity warmth of apple brandy with the complex herbal sweetness of Bénédictine. Balanced by bright citrus notes from orange curaçao and fresh lemon juice, it offers a sophisticated and aromatic experience. Served chilled and straight up, this golden-hued drink is perfect for an autumn evening or a celebratory toast, embodying the elegance of a bygone cocktail era.

Similar Cocktails

Jack Rose

Uses applejack as a base but gets its sweetness and color from grenadine instead of Bénédictine and curaçao.

Widow's Kiss

Also features apple brandy and Bénédictine but adds Yellow Chartreuse and Angostura bitters for a more intensely herbal profile.

Champs-Élysées

A similar classic sour that uses French brandy (Cognac) as the base with Green Chartreuse for the herbal element.

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