Recipe says 1940s origin, but this cocktail appeared in a 1916 guide (Recipes for Mixed Drinks by Hugo R. Ensslin), according to classicmixology.com.

Thanks, I updated the origin reference and noted the original recipe, with sounds dreadful to me. 25% violette will be a mouth of grandma.

Incidentally, A Mouth of Grandma is my hardcore band's name.

This started out well-balanced but got quite absinthe-heavy as it went along. I suspect it's because it cooled down—it may stay balanced longer over ice.

I love mouthfuls of grandma! (not the band though, sorry)

Can someone post the non-modern version of this cocktail?  

This would be the original or close to it, I think. 

Curated this to conform to the VS&FC recipe. Updated creator and source information.

Good but I found it a bit tart, cut it back to heavy 1/2 oz and found it to be better balanced

Alternate Recipe via PUNCH:

1 1/2 ounces rum (preferably El Dorado 5 Year)

1/2 ounce falernum

1/4 ounce orange curacao (preferably Pierre Ferrand)

3/4 ounce lime juice

I used Bitter Truth's creme de violette and Clooney's blanco tequila (I forgot its actual name since I have it in a decanter).  This is a nice, well balanced cocktail.  Sort of clean and refreshing, if you will, with a nice limey - violette finish.

Corrected recipe and added attribution

Would like to know which bourbons or whiskeys for that matter work best? We were playing around today and found not all bourbons are up to the task. Any favorites?

I think Bourbon here is the way to go - you need the sweetness to balance out the allspice and lime. I like something fairly high proof - Booker's, Rowan's Creek, Baker's. 

Thanks,

Zachary

Awesome Thanks!

Moderated this to be in line with the 1937 version of the Cafe Royal Cocktail Book as noted in the link above. That recipe was 2/3 Bourbon, 1/6 lime, 1/6 pimiento dram (or 4:1:1) , so setting 2/3 = 2 oz works.

This cocktail is much nicer than I previously thought. I had substituted Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur (Nocino) for the Allspice Dram and thought it was merely good. I think the trick is to balance the Allspice Dram with the bourbon. St Elizabeth is very potent. I suggest no more than 1/4 oz and maybe just 1 tsp (1/6 oz). To add a bit more depth, I added 1/4 oz of Becherovka, which has a compatible cinnamon spice and a touch of bitterness. Together with the Angostura, and in moderation, this combines with the bourbon and lime for an accessible and unusual cocktail. A clove-forward bitters would work well too, I suspect.

I want to try rye in this. And actually, it's pretty potent due to the high quantity of spirit. Booker's would put you under the table.

I'd say that if you like bourbon equally well as rye, then use bourbon here. If you prefer rye to bourbon, rye works fine too.

I discovered (and fell madly in love with) this drink at my favorite DC spot, where they make it with Old Overholt rye. Doesn't have to be expensive to be good! As for a clove-forward bitters--from a separate comment--The Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters might fit the bill, if you really want some extra spice.

This cocktail is a perfect example of the end result is dependent upon what brand you use, especially for the allspice dram. I usually give generic recipes so that way the "essence" of the cocktail is usually intact with most commonly found brands and ingredients. First time I made this I used Ted Haigh's ratio of 2oz bourbon, 3/4 oz allspice dram (yikes!!!!) 1/2 oz lime and 1/4 oz simple (dash of bitters too). Waaaayyy too much spice....but I used St. Elizabeths. I think Dan is right on with a tsp, in which that's the amount I use now with St. Elizabeth. the "or less" he stated after the allspice ratio is an understatment...Still, quite pleasing when done with minimal allspice and using rye vs bourbon.

I'm uncomfortable with the amount of Cointreau in this recipe for the Jasmine.

Paul Clarke gives the original recipe (as published in Paul Harrington's book) here http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2007/08/cocktails-the-jasmine.html

There was an updated recipe in the Museum of the American Cocktail's Pocket Recipe Guide that increases the amount of Campari. That alteration might also be in Gary Regan's The Joy of Mixology, I cannot recall. But I do remember reading an argument that it might be timely to increase the amount of Campari in the Jasmine, as we are all more appreciative of bitters than in the early '90s.

I think I got all this cleaned up. The Jasmine is now the Jasmine (Paul Harrington), which is the original. Robert Hess' adaptation is now Jasmine (Robert Hess). Hopefully this clears up any confusion. 

oh! I hadn't watched his video on the Jasmine (obvs).

Next time I'll try cutting down on the Campari a little. It seemed to dominate, but that might depend on the kind of gin. Better try to other version, I guess.

This recipe seems rather sweet akin to bad Cosmos that use too much triple sec and not enough citrus, and it probably matched the era when Hess adapted it. When I make this for guests, I go 1 1/2 gin, 1/2 triple sec, 1/2 Campari, 1/2 or 3/4 lemon juice. It is based off the Pegu Club which I also prefer on the crisper side. The original is drier than that, so I guess I'm in the middle but closer to Harrington's.

I had one of these at Bergamot in Somerville, MA (Boston area) and it was stunning.

In Regarding Cocktails, Chad Solomon claimed credit for this Brooklyn variation. There, the recipe calls for 2 oz rittenhouse, 1 oz dolin dry, 2 t luxardo maraschino, and 1 t cynar.  That's also the ohgo.sh recipe.  Perhaps this is more definitive?

Seems like this should be updated. https://punchdrink.com/recipes/bensonhurst/

Curated to add link suggested in comments, and to adjust quantities and add brands indicated there. Thanks @bza and @noksagt.

Weirdly, I had one just last night for the first time in forever. Somehow my recipe says 1/4 oz each maraschino and Cynar. It's damn good that way, too. 

Tried this as written. Good, but sweet.
Made a new one with the addition of 1/3 oz of lemon juice and used Punt e Mes instead of Martini Sweet Vermouth. I think I prefer my variation.

The Death & Co version lists a dash of orange bitters as well.