Calvados

The Widow’s Kiss is one of our faves at Chez Penn Romine. The spiciness of the apple brandy and the deep herbal notes of the Chartreuse and Benedictine make it the perfect drink for autumn and winter. Enjoy one before (or after) that heavy Thanksgiving meal or or holiday dinner.

I highly recommend garnishing with Luxardo marasca cherries. I’ve never been a big fan of the electric red maraschino cherries that top so many sundaes and drinks, and was even less so when I heard about how they are made (it involves lye and artificial almond flavoring). True marasca cherries have a wonderful sweetness and fullness of flavor that just can’t be beat. They are spendy, I’ll admit, but once you’ve made a cocktail with one you’ll be hard pressed to do without.

The best time to drink a Widow’s Kiss is when curled up by the fire with a loved one, but any chilly or rainy night is a good excuse to make this cocktail.

Cheers!

The Widow’s Kiss

• 1 1/2 oz. Calvados or other apple brandy
• 3/4 oz. Benedictine
• 3/4 oz. Green Chartreuse (some recipes call for yellow, but we prefer the green)
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

Stir over ice, strain into cocktail or coupe glass and garnish with a Luxardo cherry.