Widow's Word

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (39 ratings)

Photographed in an UB Retro Coupe Gold 7.75oz

Ingredients:
34 oz Calvados / apple brandy / straight applejack
34 oz Yellow Chartreuse (or génépy liqueur)
34 oz Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
34 oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
2 drop Saline solution 4:1 (20g sea salt to 80g water)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Coupe glass.
  2. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  3. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Review:

A mash-up of the Widow's Kiss and Last Word or, as fellow Discerning Drinker, Andrew Gelb pointed out in a comment on our Last Word cocktail page, "a Monte Cassino with the rye replaced by calvados or apple brandy --> Delicious!"

View readers' comments

History:

Created by Boston cocktail enthusiast, Eric Witz who shared his equal parts recipe via Instagram in late 2015. A drier, more apple brandy-forward, version was created by cocktail photographer, Chase Hoffman who shared his recipe via Flickr: "1.5 oz unaged apple brandy, 1.0 oz fresh lemon juice. 1.0 oz Yellow Chartreuse, 0.5 oz Bénédictine."

See also Last Word history

Nutrition:

One serving of Widow's Word contains 209 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 22.63% alc./vol. (22.63° proof)
  • 20.5 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Mike Hillis’ Avatar Mike Hillis
17th February at 02:21
Really good, although probably a bit sweet for my profile as well. I’m curious to see if I might like Chase Hoffman’s version better. However, I do know of some people that would gravitate to this sweeter version.
Caspian Berggren’s Avatar Caspian Berggren
21st November 2024 at 15:17
A bit sweet but delicious. Treat more like a sour candy than a sour cocktail.
Florian Ruf’s Avatar Florian Ruf
1st June 2024 at 15:51
Everybody who loves this cocktail should try a "Monte Cassino"!
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
2nd June 2024 at 10:54
Thanks, Florian. I've added a link to the Monte Cassino above.
Frédéric Boulais’ Avatar Frédéric Boulais
17th July 2023 at 17:39
Excellent riff on a Last Word. It's a little mellower than the original and a little bit more complex but every flavor plays well together.
Calvin Grant’s Avatar Calvin Grant
28th March 2023 at 01:45
Widow's Kiss is next on my list.
Calvin Grant’s Avatar Calvin Grant
28th March 2023 at 01:40
Exceptional Last Word riff. Liquore Strega works well here if you're out of Yellow Chartreuse. Do try!