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Widow's Word

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (58)
Widow's Word image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
3⁄4 fl oz Calvados / apple brandy / straight applejack
3⁄4 fl oz Yellow Chartreuse (or génépy liqueur)
3⁄4 fl oz Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
3⁄4 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
2 drop Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or pinch of salt

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Retro Coupe Gold 7.75oz

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. No garnish to prepare.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Serve naked, without garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Widow's Word contains 209 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 22.63% alc./vol. (45.27° proof)
  • 21.9 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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: Last Word history

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!"

Variations/similar cocktails

Kentucky Colonel (with bourbon)
Monty Carlo (with rye whisky)
Monte Carlos(with añejo tequila)
Final Ward
View over 50 Last Word variations.

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$1.19 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 33 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

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* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Simon Sedgley Premium Member
For us, this is an autumnal Last Word. Rich and fruity from the Summer harvest. A drink to dance in hand with as the Sun, in its arc, falls towards the horizon of Winter, when a widow might feel her loss most keenly.
score: 1
trendomexico Premium Member
Very thick and sweet, the apple and honey is all over the place. Is two steps further than the plain Last Word, is very very rich. Not subtle, lovely, it is very layered. I like it today, maybe I will not remember it tomorrow.
score: 0
Peter M Premium Member
Delicious. Based on some other comments, it sounds like Avallen Calvados is ideal for this since it has no added sugar. Sweet and sour up front, fading into a ton of herbal complexity with a little "bite" and a little bitterness on the back end.
score: 2
Mike Hillis
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.
score: 1
Caspian Berggren Premium Member
A bit sweet but delicious. Treat more like a sour candy than a sour cocktail.
score: 1
Florian Ruf Premium Member
Everybody who loves this cocktail should try a "Monte Cassino"!
score: 4
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Florian. I've added a link to the Monte Cassino above.
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
Having just tried the widow’s kiss (for D Day) this mirrors what was running through my head… needs a little lemon juice or similar to freshen it up. …now I just need to get some more Calvados in and can try this version!
score: 1
John CARR John CARR Continue thread (1 reply)
Frédéric Boulais Premium Member
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.
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Widow's Kiss is next on my list.
score: 3
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Exceptional Last Word riff. Liquore Strega works well here if you're out of Yellow Chartreuse. Do try!
score: 4

View 9 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$1.19 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 33 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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