Name: Monte Carlo
Total time: 3 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 60 ml Rye whiskey 50% abv; 15 ml Bénédictine D.O.M.; 1 dash Aromatic bitters

Ingredients

2 fl oz

Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.)

¹⁄₂ fl oz

Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur

1 dash

Angostura Aromatic Bitters

How to make

Glass

Prepare

Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.

Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

STIR all ingredients with ice.

STRAIN into ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice).

Garnish

EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Monte Carlo contains 182 calories

Alcohol content:

2 standard drinks
37.78% alc./vol. (75.57° proof)
28.5 grams of pure alcohol

Review

When served straight-up, the Monte Carlo fits into the Scaffa family of cocktails, but it's much better and more usually served on-the-rocks, so best described as being a Manhattan with Bénédictine in place of vermouth. My hero, the tax lawyer and cocktail writer, David Embury, says in his 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, "This drink is a bit on the sweet side. It can be improved by adding 2 parts lemon juice and increasing the rye from 2 parts to about 4 or 5." Embury had a dry palate approaching that of Hemingway's, and most palates will appreciate the extra touch of sweetness in this cocktail, which is best enjoyed as an after-dinner tipple or nightcap.

Comments & Discussion

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Werd Bmocsil 44w

This was fine, but I prefer the Monte Cassino.

Mike Hillis 49w

Love this drink. One of the most overlooked classics out there. A lemon twist is essential to counter the sweetness of the Benedictine (but it’s not an overly sweet drink).

Anton Ivanic 51w

Used Lot 40 Canadian Rye (as not touching American spirits for foreseeable future..) and a few more drops of bitters(Seasn DARK). Delicious after a long day!

Matt Premium Member 1y

Delicious! I used the std and the Anders Erickson ratio - I preferred the Anders Erickson (3:1 - 1 1/2 oz ry and 1/2 oz Benedictine, 2 dashes Ango). I don't find it too sweet - just rich and delicious. Serving on ice helps by diluting the drink a bit. A great way to enjoy rye.

Stephen Curtin 3y

I made one of these with Irish Whiskey instead of Rye. I call it the Monte Carlow.

Stephen Curtin 3y

Just sipping on one made with Powers Irish Rye now and it quite tasty.

Lynette Clayton 3y

Found this interesting note of Robb Report about some variations:
This is so simple that the whiskey is entirely up to personal taste. Use whatever rye you like and it’ll be great. For that matter, you can use bourbon (called a Kentucky Colonel), aged tequila (called a Monte Carlos), cognac, calvados, aged rum, you name it. This is one of the liqueurs great charms—as long as the spirit is aged, don’t worry, the Bénédictine will make it work.

Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member 3y

Many thanks, Lynette. I'll add a Kentucky Colonel and Monte Carlos to Difford's Guide as soon as we've been able to photograph. In the meantime, I've added notes under variation. Do you know the names of any of the other variations based on other spirits?

Rob San 7w

Kudos, Simon!... you are THE most dialed--in site owner/administrator on the internet!

If someone disagrees, please tell us who supersedes & how!

(Crickets)

Case closed!

Lynette Clayton 3y

I don't know the other spirits Simon, but it would be fun to come up with some! Monte Caribbean!, or Monte Cnut (Normandy...vikings...Cnut...:-))

Katie Winder 4y

Just the right amount of sweet and the rye keeps it from being cloying. Very smooth. Love this drink!!

Rob San 7w

Drinking one at present, Katie... spot on assessment!

(But I love rye sippers that demand small sips pulled over the taste buds. They do slow my imbibing... a good thing!

Cheers!

John Hinojos Premium Member 5y

Great evening sipping drink. Smooth, dry, and just a hint of sweetness. Made to the recipe, but also made putting in a teaspoon Absinthe Verte. I loved the second, but only to recommend to someone who likes the taste of Absinthe.