How to make a Widow's Kiss

This Cocktail is a part of a full week long deep dive on Yellow Chartreuse.

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The Alchemist

George Kappeler.

The Poison,

Angostura Bitters
2 Dashes

Benedictine
.75oz/22ml

Yellow Chartreuse
.75oz/22ml

Calvados
1.5oz/45ml

Glassware
Cocktail Glass

The Alchemy,

In a mixing glass, add bitters, Benedictine, Yellow Chartreuse, and Calvadose in that order. Ice your glass. Stir. Strain into a Cocktail Glass. Imbibe.

The Lore,

George J. Kappeler was a German barman who worked at the Holland House while the first cocktail revolution was blossoming at the turn of the century. It was there that he invented the Widow’s Kiss and published it in his own Modern American Drinks in 1895. As to the widow he's referring to, nobody knows.

The Philosophy,

Kappeler was one of the first barmen to publish a cocktail with the use of Yellow Chartreuse or a cordial at all for that matter as they were not yet widely used at that time.

The Era,

1985. The beginning of the first cocktail revolution.

The Geology,

‘Holland House hotel at Fifth Ave and Thirteenth Street.’ - David Wondrich, imbibe!

The Essence,

This cocktail is best described by the following quote:

‘It is a cocktail of fall turning toward winter.’ - Ted Haigh. Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails.
The herbaceousness makes this drink shine. As David Wondrich highlights in imbibe!, it was a bold move using a split liqueur in a cocktail at that time. The Apple Brandy doubles down on the sweetness, also found in the Benedictine and Yellow Chartreuse. And with a nice acidic balance of Angostura Bitters. This is a beautifully balanced cocktail. Though we should give the one caveat that, as mentioned above, there is absolutely a seasonality to this cocktail. Not recommended for the summer, but a great drink.

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