Bénédictine is a honey and herb flavored liqueur produced at Fecamp, in, Normandy, France. The original recipe dates back to 1510, and it is believed that Alexander Le Grand rediscovered the recipe after the French Revolution. Bénédictine is now owned by Bacardi. Bottles of Bénédictine have the letters "D.O.M" on the label, which stands for "Deo Optimo Maximo" - "To God, Most Good, Most Great".
The recipe for Bénédictine is a secret known only to three people, but contains 27 herbs and spices. It is a warm, honeyed brown color and 80 proof. The aroma is slightly sharp from alcohol, but quickly settles down into honey, citrus and a drying herbal tone. It is fairly sweet.
In the 1930's, a drink called "Bénédictine and Brandy" became popular as people wanted a drier version of the drink. Bénédictine bottled a version of this, called "B&B".
In 2010, for the 500th anniversary of Bénédictine's recipe, the company released a limited edition bottle that was black and gold instead of the usual white and black.
Some popular cocktails containing Bénédictine
- brown is the new black — Stout, Virgin Islands Rum, Dark rum, Averna, Bénédictine, Bitters, Whole egg
- Freudian Flip — Cognac, Calvados, Bénédictine, Bitters, Absinthe, Whole egg, Nutmeg
- Capone's Island — Rye, Aromatized wine, Orange liqueur, Bénédictine, Bitters
- The Pipe — Rye, Aquavit, Rosato Vermouth, Dry sherry, Demerara Rum, Bénédictine, Peychaud's Bitters
- Oaxacan Wipeout — Gin, Mezcal, Black pepper tincture, Bénédictine, Campari, Grapefruit liqueur, Honey syrup
- The Phrasemaker — Dry vermouth, Rye, Old Tom Gin, Bénédictine, Bitters, Pineapple syrup
- Sheltering Sky — Cognac, Swedish Punsch, Bénédictine, Amontillado Sherry, Bitters, Orange peel
- Interrobang‽ — Armagnac, Bénédictine, Cynar, Islay Scotch
- The Elves and their Antics — Genever, Cardamaro, Amer Picon, Bénédictine, Orange peel
- R & B — Gin, Bénédictine, Bitters
