Year's End Benediction
A contemplative, spirit-forward rye cocktail built for reflection, layering blanc vermouth, maraschino, and Bénédictine into a dry, bitters-dried finish.
Ingredients
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 1/2 oz blanc vermouth
- 1 barspoon maraschino liqueur
- 1 barspoon Bénédictine
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters
Story
This drink was developed when you asked for a “complex spirit forward recipe to finish off 2025.” It evolved directly from our earlier rye-and-vermouth experiments, where we were already layering maraschino and Bénédictine into stirred whiskey structures.
The key shift came when we moved from simpler rye cocktails into a more reflective, end-of-year composition using blanc vermouth as a bridge between structure and aromatics. The goal became less about a single dominant spirit and more about a composed, bitters-dried finish that felt appropriate for closing out a year.
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled and silky. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Express a lemon peel over the drink and discard.
Notes
- Blanc vermouth softens the rye spine while preserving dryness. Keep dilution slightly higher than standard to integrate the liqueurs cleanly.