St. Botolph's Town

The St. Botolph's Town is a sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail that offers a delightful twist on the Manhattan family of drinks. It expertly balances the malty, juniper notes of Genever with the sweet herbal character of Bénédictine and the vibrant, bittersweet orange profile of Aperol. A dash of orange bitters ties all the elements together, creating a layered and memorable drinking experience.
St. Botolph's Town

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The St. Botolph's Town is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It is a spirit-forward, stirred drink, placing it in the same family as the Manhattan or Brooklyn. It is typically enjoyed as an aperitif or a sophisticated evening drink.

Serving

Served 'up' (without ice) in a chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a relatively small but potent drink. The low serving temperature is crucial for its enjoyment.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Estimated ABV 25-30%
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe or Nick & Nora
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by Boston-based tiki and cocktail pioneer Brother Cleve, the St. Botolph's Town is a tribute to his home city. The name is an archaic moniker for Boston, named after the English town of Boston, Lincolnshire, which in turn was named for Saint Botolph. The cocktail first gained prominence around 2008 and has become a local classic.
Origin
Created by Brother Cleve in Boston, USA, around 2008. It is a modern cocktail with roots in classic stirred, spirit-forward drinks.

St. Botolph's Town

The name "St. Botolph's Town" refers to an old name for Boston, Massachusetts, where the drink was created. The alternate spelling "Saint Botolph's Town" is also sometimes used, but the original name is the most common. The name is a direct tribute to the city's history.
Original name
St. Botolph's Town
Alternative name
Saint Botolph's Town

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a complex tapestry of flavors, with malty genever playing against bittersweet orange and sweet herbs. The texture is silky smooth, and the long, warming finish makes it a satisfying sip for any season, particularly cooler evenings.
Flavor
Malty, Herbal, Bittersweet, Orange, Juniper, Spicy
Aroma
Juniper, Herbal, Orange Peel, Malt
Taste balance
Balanced, Bitter, Sweet
Aftertaste
Long, Complex, Warming, Herbal
Fizziness
Still, None
Color appearance
Amber, Deep Orange, Clear
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Medium-bodied
Seasonality
All-season, Leans towards Autumn/Winter

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, characterized by a distinct bitterness from Aperol and a gentle sweetness from Bénédictine. Its alcohol strength is prominent but well-integrated, and it has no carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for three core spirits: malty Genever, sweet herbal Bénédictine, and bittersweet Aperol. A single dash of orange bitters is used to enhance the citrus notes.
  • Genever45 ml / 1.5 oz
    An Oude (old) style Genever is recommended for its malty character.
  • Bénédictine D.O.M.22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A sweet and aromatic French herbal liqueur.
  • Aperol22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    An Italian bitter aperitif with prominent orange notes.
  • Orange Bitters1 dash
    Regan's No. 6 or Angostura Orange Bitters work well.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring

Mixing equipments

Standard stirring equipment is required, including a mixing glass, a bar spoon for proper dilution and chilling, and a strainer. Accurate measurement with a jigger is key to achieving the correct balance.
  • Mixing glass for combining and chilling the ingredients.
  • Bar spoon for stirring the cocktail.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pouring.
  • Hawthorne or Julep strainer for straining into the glass.

Instructions

The process is straightforward: chill a glass, combine all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, stir until cold, and strain. Garnish by expressing an orange peel over the finished drink.
1. Chill your Coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice and water, or by placing it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Add all ingredients (Genever, Bénédictine, Aperol, and orange bitters) to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until the outside of the mixing glass is well-chilled and frosted.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled serving glass.
6. Strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Take a swath of orange peel, express the oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it pith-side down, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

An orange twist is the essential garnish, adding aromatic citrus oils that complement the Aperol and bitters. It should be expressed over the glass before being added.
  • Orange twist, expressed over the drink and dropped in or placed on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is caffeine-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. However, due to the use of Genever, it is not considered gluten-free and may not be suitable for individuals with celiac disease.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric cocktail due to the sugar content in the liqueurs. It contains a significant amount of sugar and carbohydrates, primarily from the Bénédictine and Aperol.
Calories
Averagely 190-210 kcal / 795-880 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour or as a contemplative evening sipper. Its balanced profile makes it an excellent aperitif to stimulate the appetite before a meal. It is also well-suited for celebrating special occasions.
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Evening Sipping
  • Aperitif
  • Special Occasions

Pairing suggestions

The St. Botolph's Town pairs wonderfully with salty and savory appetizers. Its bittersweet and herbal notes cut through the richness of charcuterie and hard cheeses, while its complexity stands up well to flavorful snacks like olives and smoked nuts.
  • Cured meats (charcuterie)
  • Hard, salty cheeses like Parmesan or aged cheddar
  • Marinated olives
  • Smoked almonds

St. Botolph's Town: A Toast to Boston

The St. Botolph's Town is a complex, spirit-forward cocktail that serves as a modern tribute to the city of Boston. It masterfully combines the unique malty character of Genever with the herbal sweetness of Bénédictine and the bittersweet orange notes of Aperol. Served chilled and up in a coupe glass with an orange twist, it's a sophisticated sipper that is both balanced and deeply flavorful. A perfect choice for lovers of classic stirred cocktails looking for a unique and memorable variation.

Similar Cocktails

Brooklyn

Uses rye whiskey instead of Genever, dry vermouth instead of Bénédictine, and Amer Picon/Amaro instead of Aperol. It shares a similar complex, stirred structure.

Manhattan

A simpler classic using rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters. It lacks the distinct herbal and bittersweet notes of the St. Botolph's Town.

Vieux Carré

A more complex New Orleans classic featuring rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and both Peychaud's and Angostura bitters. It shares the Bénédictine component.

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