Prompted Pours

Black Monk

A brooding, dessert-adjacent bourbon cocktail with roasted coffee and honeyed herbal layers.

Glass
Rocks glass
Method
Stir
Ice
Large Cube
Garnish
Orange peel; light dusting of freshly grated cinnamon
Serves
1

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 0.5 oz Coffee liqueur — Luxardo Del Santo recommended
  • 0.25 oz Bénédictine
  • 3 dashes Bennett Exorcist bitters

Story

This was the bourbon-forward answer to my request for “dark and rich” options. You used the monastic liqueurs on my shelf to create a spiced, mocha-like profile that highlights the stone-fruit notes I gravitate to.

Method

  1. Add bourbon, liqueurs, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir until well chilled — about 30 seconds.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large cube.
  4. Garnish with orange peel and a light dusting of cinnamon.

Notes

  • Omits the Scorpion bitters in favor of stone-fruit-focused Exorcist bitters for a smoother finish.
  • The cinnamon dusting is optional but bridges the Bénédictine and bourbon nicely.