Poet’s Dream Cocktail – A Recipe for Romance

Poet’s Dream Cocktail


A Recipe for a Romantic Drink

Poet's Dream Cocktail
Poet’s Dream Cocktail

The origin of the Poet’s Dream is lost. The poet who dreamed it is lost. And yet it is, and is made – with spirits stirred. Strained and poured. In a sea of waking dreams. Where there is sense, life and joys. History is elusive. It slips away.

This is one of those cocktail recipes where we don’t have a lot of detail on where it comes from. It is a variation on the Martini. It contains gin, vermouth and Bénédictine, making it one of those beautiful symphonies of flavor that seem to inspire poetry in everyone.

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The Poet’s Dream is a classic cocktail that has slipped into obscurity a little bit. That is a shame, because with a mix of gin and Bénédictine this drink has the kind of flavor to inspire a little creativity.

It is a simple drink to make, but you’ll want to set aside some time to savor it. You may find yourself wanting to pen an ode to your new favorite cocktail.


Poet’s Dream Cocktail History

The Poet’s Dream was first created in the early 1900s. It is unclear who first created this drink.

There are two versions of this recipe. Both versions contain the same ingredients, but the proportions differ. One is an equal parts cocktail that is from the Waldorf Astoria. The other is from a 1930’s English recipe book and later appears in the 1949 edition of Esquire’s Handbook for Hosts.

The Waldorf recipe is a little cloying. The other recipe has the structure of a classic Martini modified with Bénédictine. It is a little more refined and better balanced. That is the recipe we are using here.


How to Make a Poet’s Dream

This is a variation on a Martini. That means its proportions are 2-1-2 and it is stirred and strained. In other words, 2 parts base spirit, 1 part vermouth and 2 dashes of bitters. Up to this point it is a standard martini, but then it is modified with a little Bénédicitine.

Ingredients

  • London Dry Gin – Any classic London Dry gin will work here. Something a little more might be preferable. Try it with Hendrick’s or Glendalough Wild Botanical gin.
  • Vermouth  – A slightly sweeter vermouth works well here. A little sweetness open up the aromatics in this drink and bring more of the lighter floral and herbal flavors forward.
  • Bénédictine – Bénédictine is a French herbal liqueur. The legend is that it dates back to 1510, when a monk at a monastery in Normandy created a secret elixir. 350 years later Alexandre Le Grand ‘found’ the recipe and recreated it. Today, it is a blend of twenty-seven herbs, spices and botanicals kept as a closely guarded secret.
  • Orange Bitters – Your standard orange bitters is perfect here. Regan’s or Angostura orange work well.

Instructions

The Poet’s Dream cocktail is a type of Martini you will stir and strain into a chilled glass. Put ice in a mixing glass and add gin, dry vermouth, Bénédictine and orange bitters. Stir until chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

To make a lemon twist cut a thin strip of lemon zest and twist it over the top of the cocktail. Be careful not to get too much pith off the lemon peel. For most people this is easiest to do with a peeler.

Poet’s Dream Cocktail Recipe

  • Glass: chilled coupe
  • 2 oz London dry gin
  • 3/4 oz dry vermouth
  • 1 barspoon Benedictine
  • Garnish: lemon twist
  1. Pour all ingredients into mixing glass.
  2. Stir for 10-15 seconds.
  3. Strain into coupe glass.
  4. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Gin Cocktails
Gin Cocktails

Gin Cocktails

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Martinez Cocktail
Martinez Cocktail

Classic Martinez

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Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky

Hanky Panky

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