Seven Widow's Kisses

Seven wee versions of the Widow's Kiss cocktail, which I made at my friend Robb's birthday party for everyone except Robb, as he doesn't drink. (And like a schmuck I forgot to bring ingredients for a non-alcoholic concoction, d'oh!)

In his book Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, Ted "Dr. Cocktail" Haigh describes this drink thusly:

"As the scene opens, you are up in your grandmother's attic opening the dusty steamer trunk she brought from Europe in 1914. You reverently turn back layer upon layer of old lace and brocade ... unveiling a packet of old love letters tied in silk ribbon. Ancient dried rose petals flutter down from between the envelopes.

"This is what the Widow's Kiss is like. Sweet, complex and darkly golden, thought-provoking and introspective. It is a cocktail of fall turning toward winter, and it wins Doc's award as the most evocative drink ever. Have one by the fire."

WIdow's Kiss

1-1/2 ounces Calvados (or other apple brandy)
3/4 ounce yellow Chartreuse
3/4 ounce Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine in a cocktail shaker with ice and stir for no less than 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a stemless cherry.

(Photo appeared in Flickr's Explore 1/9/2006)