Chrysanthemum recipe
A harmonious blend of dry vermouth, honeyed herbal liqueur, and absinthe that creates an unexpectedly crisp sip.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Chilled Coupe ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Martini Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Dry Vermouth (preferably French dry)
- 0.75 oz Bénédictine
- 1 tsp Absinthe
- 1 Orange Peel (for garnish)
How to make a Chrysanthemum
- Add the dry vermouth, Bénédictine, and absinthe into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly for thirty seconds until chilled and properly diluted.
- Strain the liquid into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the oils from the orange twist over the surface of the cocktail.
- Drop the twisted orange peel into the glass as a finishing garnish.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh orange twist.
Pro tip
Choosing a high-quality dry vermouth makes a remarkable difference since it serves as the primary base spirit of this botanical drink.
History of the Chrysanthemum
This pre-Prohibition classic first appeared in print within Hugo Ensslin's 1916 guide, Recipes for Mixed Drinks. It uniquely features dry vermouth as the primary base spirit rather than a minor modifier, complemented by herbal notes.
Flavour profile
Herbal, Floral, Crisp, Complex
Variations
- Chrysanthemum No. 2 — Add a quarter ounce of fresh lemon juice to introduce a tart citrus brightness.
- Industrial Chrysanthemum — Substitute pastis or heavy herbal liqueur for absinthe to alter the anise profile.
- Sweet Vermouth Chrysanthemum — Use sweet red vermouth in place of dry vermouth for a richer dessert-like profile.
Practise making the Chrysanthemum in the free Virtual Bar game.