Calories:230
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:12g
Alcohol:28%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
The Widow's Kiss cocktail was created in the late 19th century by George Kappeler, a bartender at the Holland House Hotel in New York City. This classic cocktail is known for its complex flavors and rich, warming taste. It is often enjoyed by those who appreciate herbal and aromatic drinks.
The Widow's Kiss is a complex, herbal, and slightly sweet cocktail with a rich, warming taste. It has a smooth, velvety texture and a long, lingering finish.
Apple Brandy is the core of the Widow's Kiss, bringing a rich, fruity flavor that recalls orchard breezes. At 2 oz, it serves as the foundation, with just enough heft to assert itself without overwhelming the drink's delicate balance. Using less could make the cocktail too subtle, while more might turn it into an apple brandy monologue.
Bright and mysterious, Green Chartreuse lends its 130 herbs to add complexity and a touch of sweetness to our concoction. The half-ounce is a perfect whisper of intrigue—if you increase the amount, the cocktail might turn into a herbal punch. If omitted, you'll miss the botanical ballet.
Bénédictine is like the secret spice blend in a master chef's dish—an ensemble of herbs and sweetness in neat harmony. Half an ounce is enough to mingle with the other ingredients, offering depth without stealing the spotlight. Without it, the drink loses a layer of sophistication.
Just 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters and the Widow's Kiss gains a hint of spice that ties the flavors together. The bitters are like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every flavor plays together harmoniously. Skip them, and the cocktail might taste disjointed.
Alternatives: You can experiment with different brands of Calvados for the apple brandy or try yellow Chartreuse for a milder herbal note. Substituting honey syrup for Bénédictine would change the character but keep the sweet, herbal theme.
A selection of rich, hearty cheeses such as Camembert or Blue Cheese can harmonize beautifully with the herbaceous notes of the Widow's Kiss. Try pairing with a charcuterie board featuring cured meats like prosciutto, which provide a savory counterpoint to the drink's sweetness.
Consider pairing with desserts that have apple or caramel elements, like a tarte Tatin or apple crumble, to complement the apple brandy. Dark chocolate can also be a good match, as it contrasts with the herbal liqueur and brings out the complexity of the cocktail.
Spicy foods, such as Thai cuisine, can offer a wonderful juxtaposition to the sweet and herbal qualities of the Widow's Kiss. Savory dishes like roasted duck or pork with a fruit glaze can also blend seamlessly with the cocktail's profile.
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Swap out Apple Brandy for Apple Cider, introducing a lighter, more refreshing take on the original. To balance the diminished alcohol content, reduce the Chartreuse to a quarter ounce. The cocktail becomes crisper, perfect for fall afternoons.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Follow the original mixing instructions, swapping in cider.
Replace Green Chartreuse with Yellow Chartreuse for a gentler herbal profile. Additionally, introducing a dash of orange bitters alongside the Angostura can create a citrus note that's subtle, but present. It's a softer dance of the same flavors.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Stir as you would the original, but with the yellow Chartreuse and added orange bitters.
Add a cinnamon stick during the stirring process and a splash of ginger syrup to introduce a warming, spicy twist. This makes for a cocktail with a bite that stands up to colder nights.
Ingredients:
Recipe: Add the cinnamon stick to the mixing glass with the other ingredients. Remove it before straining into the glass.
Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainInsert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
Learn everything on how to stirGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
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Traditionally, the Widow's Kiss cocktail is served in a coupe glass.
Yes, the Widow's Kiss is a relatively strong cocktail due to the combination of apple brandy and herbal liqueurs. It has around 28% alcohol content.
While many cocktails are typically gluten-free, you should always check the specific alcoholic ingredients used since some can contain gluten. The Widow's Kiss uses apple brandy and herbal liqueurs which are typically gluten-free, but always check the specific brand to be absolutely sure.
Due to its rich aromatic flavours, the Widow's Kiss pairs well with hearty dishes like roast meats and cheese platters.
Although garnishing does not largely alter the overall taste of the Widow's Kiss, a lemon twist can add a hint of citrus, and a cherry can add a subtle sweetness.
The Jack Rose cocktail is a delightful combination of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The apple brandy provides a rich, smooth base, while the lemon juice adds a refreshing tanginess. The grenadine imparts a subtle sweetness and a beautiful rosy hue.
The Apple Brandy Sour is a well-balanced cocktail, with a perfect blend of sweet and sour flavors. The apple brandy provides a rich, fruity taste, while the lemon juice adds a refreshing tang. The simple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness, making this cocktail a delightful and satisfying drink.
The Applecar cocktail is a delightful combination of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The apple brandy and lemon juice provide a tangy and refreshing taste, while the triple sec adds a hint of sweetness. The cocktail is well-balanced, with a smooth and slightly strong finish.
The Last Word is a well-balanced cocktail with a complex flavor profile. It is simultaneously sweet, sour, herbal, and slightly bitter. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the Chartreuse adds a rich, herbal complexity. The maraschino liqueur brings a touch of sweetness, and the lime juice adds a refreshing, tart finish.
The Bijou cocktail has a complex and well-balanced taste, featuring herbal and botanical notes from the gin and green Chartreuse, sweetness from the sweet vermouth, and a hint of bitterness from the orange bitters. It is a strong, rich, and slightly sweet drink with a smooth and velvety texture.
The Green Ghost cocktail is a complex and refreshing drink with a mix of herbal, citrus, and slightly sweet flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the green Chartreuse adds a unique herbal and slightly sweet quality. The lime juice brings a fresh, tart citrus note that balances out the sweetness and adds a zesty finish.
The Singapore Sling has a complex, fruity taste with a balance of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. It is refreshing, tangy, and slightly effervescent, with a hint of herbal undertones.
The Vieux Carré is a complex and well-balanced cocktail with a smooth, rich taste. It has a hint of sweetness from the cognac and herbal notes from the Bénédictine. The rye whiskey adds a spicy kick, while the vermouth and bitters provide a slightly bitter undertone.
The Creole cocktail is a complex and well-balanced drink, with a sweet and fruity base, a hint of bitterness from the Campari, and a warm, spicy finish from the rye whiskey. It is both refreshing and invigorating, making it a perfect choice for a warm summer evening or a lively night out.
The Hanky Panky cocktail is a well-balanced mix of sweet, bitter, and herbal flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the sweet vermouth adds a touch of sweetness and complexity. The Fernet-Branca adds a bitter, herbal edge that lingers on the palate.
The Archangel cocktail is a harmonious blend of herbal, citrus, and slightly bitter flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the Aperol adds a touch of bitterness and sweetness. The cucumber and lemon bring a refreshing, crisp, and bright element to the drink.
The Basil Smash is a refreshing, herbaceous, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of tartness from the lemon juice. The gin adds a layer of complexity with its botanical flavors, while the simple syrup balances the acidity of the lemon.
Irish Coffee is a warm, rich, and creamy cocktail with a perfect balance of bitter coffee, sweet sugar, and smooth Irish whiskey. The whipped cream adds a luxurious, velvety texture.
The Hot Toddy is a warm, soothing, and comforting cocktail with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. The sweetness of honey and the warmth of whiskey are complemented by the tanginess of lemon and the subtle spiciness of cinnamon and cloves.
Hot Buttered Rum has a rich, creamy, and buttery taste with a hint of sweetness from the brown sugar and a warming sensation from the spices and rum. The flavors are well-balanced, making it a perfect winter cocktail.
The Manhattan cocktail is a well-balanced blend of sweet, bitter, and strong flavors. The sweetness comes from the vermouth, while the bitterness is derived from the aromatic bitters. The whiskey provides a robust and full-bodied taste, making the drink a perfect choice for those who enjoy a strong and complex cocktail.
The Pisco Sour is a well-balanced cocktail with a combination of sweet, sour, and strong flavors. The Pisco provides a smooth, fruity base, while the lime juice adds a tangy, refreshing acidity. The simple syrup brings a touch of sweetness, and the egg white creates a rich, frothy texture. The bitters on top add a subtle, aromatic complexity.
Planter's Punch is a fruity, refreshing, and well-balanced cocktail. It has a sweet and tangy taste, with a hint of sourness from the citrus. The rum adds a warming, slightly spicy kick, while the grenadine provides a touch of sweetness.
The Martini has a crisp, clean, and slightly herbal taste. It is a strong and sophisticated cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth.
The Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail with a bright, citrusy flavor. It is both sweet and sour, with the tanginess of lime juice complementing the sweetness of the orange liqueur. The tequila adds a strong, earthy backbone, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste and adds a savory touch.
The Old Fashioned has a rich, complex taste that is both sweet and bitter. The whiskey provides a strong, warming base, while the sugar and bitters add a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice. The orange and cherry garnish add a subtle fruity note.
