Enjoy a relaxing evening with the light and crisp Chrysanthemum cocktail.
Today’s cocktail recipe is one that goes back a long way. When I first saw its name, the Chrysanthemum, it brought to mind another classic style of drink, the Daisy. A Daisy is a concoction comprised of a base spirit, a sweetener like simple syrup or grenadine, and a citrus juice. This type of mixture is what inspired other legendary tipples like the Margarita and Sidecar.
The Chrysanthemum has a citrus tinge courtesy of the orange twist used for garnish, but is a much different type of libation. Made with dry vermouth, Bénédictine, and dashes of absinthe, this is a lower-alcohol treat that blends mellow sweetness with a crisp, dry finish. The very first appearance of this recipe was in 1916, within the pages of Hugo R. Ensslin’s Recipes For Mixed Drinks.
The drink’s place in the cocktail world was further solidified some years later in 1930, when Harry Craddock included it in The Savoy Cocktail Book. It has stuck around through the years, surviving Prohibition and slightly different builds all the way through to the modern era. Some versions use anisette instead of absinthe.
While there are no actual flowers present in this elixir, the light and honeyed flavor from each sip will bring a garden of delights to your taste buds.
What is the best Vermouth to use in a Chrysanthemum Cocktail?
To perfectly craft a tasty and balanced drink, you’ll need some Bénédictine and dry vermouth, along with a few dashes of absinthe. For the vermouth, I highly suggest spending a little more money than you usually would on said ingredient. Good-quality vermouth is worth its weight in gold, and I would recommend a bottle of Dolin for anything you might need vermouth for. Keep it chilled in your fridge between uses, and it should last you about a month.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dry vermouth
- 1 ounce Bénédictine
- 3 dashes absinthe
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine the dry vermouth, Bénédictine, and absinthe.
- Stir gently for about 20 seconds and strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.
- Express the oils of an orange twist over the surface of the drink, then drop it in the glass.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a Nick & Nora glass in your freezer for around 15 minutes before serving your cocktail. Once poured, express the oils from an orange twist over it and drop it in for garnish.
Why is it called the Chrysanthemum?
Around 1904, there was a Scott Joplin ragtime piano piece entitled “The Chrysanthemum,” which is where many cocktail historians think the drink got its name from.
Other Cocktails Similar To The Chrysanthemum
If you’re searching for mixed drinks with a slight difference, and you thoroughly enjoyed the Chrysanthemum, there are more than a few mixtures in a similar fashion that you might be keen to try out. Check out some of these recipes below, and if they helped pique your interest, make sure you explore the site for even more unique and unforgettable sippers.
- Vermouth Cocktail – It’s all in the drink’s name, as vermouth is the base.
- A La Louisiane – Bénédictine features in this New Orleans favorite.
- Vieux Carré – A dark and smooth classic that also hails from the Big Easy.
- Monte Carlo – Bénédictine and whiskey combine in the elegant beverage.
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