Heat your winter nights with our easy-to-follow Monte Carlo Cocktail recipe! Made with rye whiskey, Bénédictine, Angostura bitters, and a lemon twist, this hearty cocktail is the perfect companion for those snug evenings indoors.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
206
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey
- ½ oz Bénédictine
- 1 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Stirring Glass
- Cocktail Strainer
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Bitters: Pour 1 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters into the mixing glass.
- Add Bénédictine: Measure and pour ½ oz Bénédictine into the mixing glass as well.
- Add Rye Whiskey: Add 2 oz Rye Whiskey.
- Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
- Strain: Remove the ice in the Old Fashioned glass and refill it with fresh, new ice cubes. Then, use the cocktail strainer to strain the drink into the ice-filled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a lemon zest twist; to do so, express the lemon zest on top of the drink and then drop it inside. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Rye Whiskey: If you're out of rye whiskey, bourbon is a good alternative. It's sweeter and less spicy but still works well in this cocktail.
- Bénédictine: If you can't find Bénédictine, you can use Drambuie or Yellow Chartreuse. They both have a similar herbal sweetness. However, keep in mind that the original taste and balance of the drink may be altered as Bénédictine is a pretty unique, hard to replace product.
- Angostura Bitters: Orange bitters can be used as an alternative if you don't have Angostura bitters. It changes the flavor profile slightly but still adds depth to the cocktail.
Making a Pitcher of Monte Carlo Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of rye whiskey, 4 oz of Bénédictine, and 8 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the rye whiskey, Bénédictine, and Angostura bitters. Add ice and stir well. Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled Old Fashioned or rocks glasses and garnish each glass with a lemon zest twist. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep them in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Vegan:
- Bénédictine Substitute: Bénédictine is made with honey, which isn't vegan. You can substitute it with an herbal liqueur that doesn't contain any animal products (Strega is a good alternative). Be careful not to use Drambuie or Chartreuse as substitutes as they also contain honey.
What is a Monte Carlo Cocktail?
A Monte Carlo Cocktail is a whiskey-based cocktail made of rye whiskey, Bénédictine, and Angostura bitters. With just three ingredients and no complex techniques required, even cocktail beginners can mix it up quickly. This cocktail is a twist on the classic Manhattan, substituting the sweet vermouth with Bénédictine and using Angostura instead of orange bitters. This twist works particularly well as the spiciness from the rye whiskey harmonizes perfectly with the herbal sweetness from Bénédictine and the depth added by Angostura bitters.
What is a Monte Carlo Cocktail made of – The ingredients
When mixing up a Monte Carlo Cocktail, start by gathering these ingredients:
- Rye Whiskey: This forms the base of the cocktail, providing a robust and spicy flavor.
- Bénédictine DOM: A herbal liqueur that adds a touch of sweetness and complexity to the drink.
- Angostura Bitters: These add depth and balance to the cocktail, enhancing the other flavors.
- Lemon Twist: Used as a garnish, it adds a hint of citrus aroma that complements the other ingredients.
