A few weeks ago, I featured a classic cocktail called the Widow’s Kiss made with apple brandy, Benedictine, and Yellow Chartreuse. It’s a good drink, but not really something I’d like to make again and again. A lot of older cocktails just aren’t quite balanced for modern tastes, and even with PDT’s adjusted recipe, the Widow’s Kiss tastes like something from another time. To me that’s part of the appeal.
The Widow’s Touch, however, is another matter. I love this drink. It’s an updated version of the classic that swaps out the Yellow Chartreuse for St. Germain, and the switch makes all the difference. In Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, Ted Haigh calls the Widow’s Kiss “a cocktail of fall turning towards winter.” In that case, the Widow’s Touch is a cocktail of fall meeting spring. It’s bright, sweet, and floral with flavors of apple and pear.
History: The Widow’s Touch sprang from Boston’s fantastic bar scene. It was created by John Gertsen when he was at No. 9 Park. He went on to open Drink, one of Boston’s best-known cocktail bars.
Widow’s Touch
1 1/4 oz. Laird’s Applejack or Apple Brandy
3/4 oz. St. Germain
1/4 oz. Benedictine
1 dash Angostura bitters
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled and strain into a coupe glass.
Recipe from Bon Appetit.