Originally an equal parts cocktail, Poet’s Dream Cocktail is in essence a Martini with Bénédictine and orange bitters.
Poet’s Dream Cocktail – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
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Poet’s Dream Cocktail is said to date back to a recipe from a 1930s English Bar Guide. Featured in The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book 1935 Reprint by Albert Stevens Crockett, the Waldorf recipe calls for equal parts gin, dry vermouth, and Bénédictine.
One-third Benedictine
One-third French Vermouth
One-third dry Gin
Lemon peel squeezed on top
Bénédictine D.O.M is a French liqueur which consists of Cognac married with 27 different roots, herbs and spices. While these are not named, it is said that some have been used since biblical times and many continue to be used in folk remedies.
For the recipe below, we’ve adapted the recipe which is a sweet style of drink to a more modern palate. The cocktail remains a little on the sweeter side of the Martini, but if you’re after an early Martini variation and enjoy a 50-50 Martini, give this cocktail a try.
Poet’s Dream Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 60ml gin
- 30ml dry vermouth
- 7ml Bénédictine D.O.M
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Glassware: coupette
Garnish: lemon twist
Method
In a mixing glass, add gin, dry vermouth, Benedictine and orange bitters and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled coupette and garnish with a lemon twist.
