Nirvana Cocktail

2 oz Rittenhouse 100 proof bonded rye
1 oz Amer Picon or Torani Amer
¼ oz maraschino liqueur
¼ oz Benedictine
Stir and strain.
Garnish with orange twist if desired.

I wanted to like this more than I did. I only had lemons, the orange
peel would have helped.

Monte Carlo

1.5oz Rye
.5 oz Benedictine
2 Dashes Peychaud's

Stir and strain into glass. I think the layer of "stuff" on the top is from my silicone ice cube tray, time to look for new ice cube trays! Tastes like a Manhattan but sweeter. It would probably be good with a brandied cherry.

Vieux Carré Cocktail

1 oz rye whiskey
1 oz Cognac (I used brandy)
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 bar spoons Bénédictine
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 dashes Peychaud bitters
Shake in an iced cocktail shaker.
Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
Garnish with a lemon twist.


I was looking for a nice apertif that used sweet vermouth and stumbled across this recipe. I liked what the Bénédictine does for the drink. It's good for a Manhattan lover. I'll make this again.