Wednesday, April 3, 2019

The Queen Elizabeth Cocktail

Queen Elizabeth Cocktail

This low-alcohol charmer will make you feel like royalty

OK, let’s get the obvious question out of the way: No, this drink was not named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. Rather, it was named for the creator’s wife. But more history later.

What you need to know now is that, despite the drink’s majestic moniker, it’s simplicity itself to make. The Queen Elizabeth cocktail requires only three ingredients: Dry vermouth, Bénédictine liqueur, and lime juice. And because this drink doesn’t contain a base spirit, its alcohol quotient is quite modest.

So low alcohol, but lofty flavor. Make a round of these and you’ll rule.



Queen Elizabeth Cocktail

Recipe: The Queen Elizabeth Cocktail

The origins of most cocktails are rather uncertain. Not so with this drink: It was invented in 1934 by Herbert L. Quick, the head bartender at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel in Philadelphia. Quick created it as an entry for a nationwide cocktail contest sponsored by the folks who marketed Bénédictine liqueur.

Every cocktail needs a name, so Quick named this one after his wife. At that time, there was no Queen Elizabeth in sight. The mother of the current queen (also named Elizabeth) only took that title when her husband became king in 1936, after the abdication of his brother. The reign of Elizabeth II was many years in the future. (She ascended the throne in 1952.) And Elizabeth I had died in 1603.

We discovered this drink in an article by cocktail historian extraordinaire David Wondrich.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare and serves one.

Ingredients
  • 1½ ounces dry vermouth
  • ¾ ounce Bénédictine
  • ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • lime twist for garnish (very optional)
Procedure
  1. Place all ingredients (except garnish) in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake briskly for 20 to 30 seconds, until the contents are icy cold.
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass or coupe, preferably one that has been chilled. Garnish if you wish (we usually don’t), and serve.
Queen Elizabeth Cocktail

Notes
  • This cocktail is a bit on the sweet side. It works as a predinner drink if you serve it with something salty. It’s also good after dinner as a digestif. Or drink this all by itself as an afternoon sipper.
  • There are at least two other drinks called the “Queen Elizabeth” that have different ingredients from this one. We’re aware of one that is gin based and another that is brandy based. We don’t find either to be particularly good, and we don’t recommend them. If you want to try these imposter cocktails, though, you can find recipes for them in The Savoy Cocktail Book. Or search the interwebs.
  • The flavor of dry vermouth is important in this drink, so use good-quality stuff. Our favorite brands are Noilly Prat, Martini and Rossi, and Dolin. If in doubt, ask the friendly folks at your local liquor store for a recommendation.
  • BTW, vermouth has a low alcohol level, so it starts oxidizing once you open the bottle. To delay its decline, refrigerate vermouth after opening.
  • Bénédictine is an aromatic herbal liqueur that’s somewhat on the sweet side. Given its name, you might assume it’s made by Benedictine monks. In fact, it was invented by Alexandre Le Grand, a French industrialist and wine merchant, in 1863. Le Grand was a master marketer, though, so he claimed it had been developed at a Benedictine Abbey in Normandy.
  • Although this cocktail has nothing to do with Queen Ellizabeth II, Britain’s monarch does enjoy a drink. Her favorite is the Dubonnet Cocktail, a classy mixture of Dubonnet and gin (her mother also favored this drink). 
  • The queen also reportedly enjoys dry martinis, wine, and champagne (she is said to have a glass of bubbly every evening).
Queen Elizabeth Cocktail

She Who Must Be Obeyed

“Great drink!” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “Majestic, you might say.”

“I only fix you right royal cocktails,” I said.

“Good thing, too,” said Mrs K R. “Otherwise, we would not be amused.”

“That’d be a royal pain,” I said.

“Gosh, our glass appears to be empty,” said Mrs K R. “Why not fix us another?”

Mrs K R’s motto: It’s good to be queen.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Cabaret Cocktail
Tip Top Cocktail
Brainstorm Cocktail
Straits Sling Cocktail
Singapore Sling Cocktail
Vieux Carré Cocktail
Monte Carlo Cocktail
Cocktail Basics
Or check out the index for more

68 comments:

Mae Travels said...

Good jokes this week. The Queen Mum (Elizabeth's mum, that is) had quite a taste for alcohol according to what I read. I wonder if there are any cocktails named for her.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Pam said...

YUm! It looks so pretty. I've never had Bénédictine before.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, haven't heard of any cocktails being named after the Queen Mum -- I should look. There are reports that the current queen consumes 4 drinks a day, although the accuracy of that seems in doubt (one learns so much doing research!). Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, Bénédictine is wonderful in cocktails! Not a huge fan of it by itself, but it adds a lot to many cocktails. Thanks for the comment.

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

I like this even more because of the history of its name. Such a cute story!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, isn't the history of this one fun? Flavor is fun, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

I need you to be my own personal bartender haha! Love reading the history behind this cocktail.

Juliana said...

Oh John, this cocktail looks so elegant...although disappointed that has nothing to do with Queen Elizabeth...
Hope you are having a fabulous week!

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Looks refreshing! We have never tried Bénédictine. Wonder what flavor notes it has? We will just have to try your recipe and find out. Happy Hump Day! Take Care

Anne in the kitchen said...

I like the flavor of Bénédictine but have only had it in a mixed drink, never as a solo sip. I need to make this, particularly since my given first name is Elizabeth. I would absolutely make sure TheHub knew the name of the drink, but I am not positive the proper homage would be paid. I guess that is what I get for dropping the Elizabeth from my name when I was in first grade

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, cocktail history is fascinating, isn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, you can always pretend that it does! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, Bénédictine is somewhat sweet and has a definite herbal taste. Kinda sorta like a brandy-based vermouth. Kinda. Sorta. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, I'm sure TheHub will pay you proper homage. If he knows what's good for him. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Angie's Recipes said...

I've never had Bénédictine before. The cocktail looks pretty and I bet it's very tasty too, John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, very tasty. :-) Thanks for the comment.

sherry said...

nope never had benedictine. not sure i like herbal-type liqueurs. they seem to disagree with me, or maybe they just remind me of herbal teas for upset stomachs tee hee.... tho i'm sure your cocktail is delicious ...

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

I love this cocktail and now I have to get the ingredients. Prost!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

With a given name of Elizabeth, I think this is a must try cocktail. It sounds lovely!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, Bénédictine is herbal in the sense that vermouth is herbal But if you don't like vermouth, you won't like Bénédictine! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gelinde, you DO have to get the ingredients. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Liz, this cocktail is definitely for you! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ron said...

A very interesting cocktail story. I've not tasted this one, but I will order one next time I'm at the English pub and see what I get. Thanks for the history info.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron, I'll be curious to see what you get, too! There ARE those two other cocktails with the same name out there, so that's what you might get. Better bring the recipe for this one with you in case the bartender doesn't know it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Dry vermouth and Bénédictine, how interesting, I think I would rather enjoy that. I wonder if the real Queen has tried it. Lucky girl!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, good question regarding where QEII has tried this! Bet she's tried the gin version (because she definitely likes gin; although we think this version is better). Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Almost looks like a refreshing glass of lemonade! I'll have to wait until I'm off my low-carb diet to have this drink- something to look forward to!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, this actually tastes a bit like not-too-sweet limeade. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

John, a "low-alcohol charmer" might well describe me! :D Maybe I should give it a try. I've never been fond of sweet drinks, but I could have it for dessert, right?

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jean, this would be excellent for dessert! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Natalia said...

Looks so pretty!☺

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, doesn't it? Tasty, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

Easter brunch is in the planning stages. I think serving Queen Elizabeth's should be added to the drink menu!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, this would make a terrific brunch drink! Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats said...

Love that he named this drink after his wife. Hopefully he actually loved the drink and drank it daily - haha!

Valentina said...

I think even I -- (the non-mixologist -- can handle this one! ;-) I love vermouth and lime -- sounds delicious! Your cocktail photos are always exquisite!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, well, maybe not daily, but surely several times a week. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, drinks are pretty easy to mix once you get a handle on how to do it. Basically dump everything in a shaker and shake until chilled! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

I have been considering trying Benedictine for quite some time. Now that I know it has your seal of approval, I can't go wrong.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, always worth a try! And it's such a nice flavor in cocktails. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Queen or no Queen, this sounds delightful and I like the low alcohol content - means you can drink more of them!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, yup, being able to drink more than two of these is definitely an advantage! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Tricia Buice said...

This sounds so refreshing John - and so pretty. Royalty or not - I like it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, we're all royalty when we drink this! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

Oooh, I think I should definitely hold my pinkie aloft while sipping this regal drink. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, fun idea! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Balvinder said...

That's a clever cocktail name -pretty sophisticated, huh!.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Balvinder, fun name, isn't it? Fun drink, too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Merryn said...

A majestic drink for a majestic lady, Benedictine is fabulous and really not used enough at all. The addition of pretzels just tops off this fabulous concoction.

mjskit said...

Very nice cocktail. Love that it's lower in alcohol as I'm having to reduce my consumption. Love anything with lime! Thanks John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, wonderful flavor in this! And the salty pretzels really do go nicely with it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, we all need a lower alcohol drink from time to time. :-) This is a good one -- think you'll like its flavor. Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

I love when you post drinks I've never heard of before! Especially when they contain something I love, like Benedictine. It seems so off the beaten path any more.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, Bénédictine really isn't as popular as it should be in cocktails -- it's a wonderful ingredient. Of course people still drink it mixed with brandy (B&B) as an after dinner drink -- probably the most popular use of it. Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

I love the thought of this as an afternoon sipper. And, I love lime juice. I'd love to have one or two while sitting outside before dinner!

Easyfoodsmith said...

That looks good and the pictures are beautiful!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, this is a wonderful slow sipper -- very refreshing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Taruna, it IS good! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Emma @ Bake Then Eat said...

What a perfectly lovely cocktail, I would love one of these pre-dinner.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, it's such a nice drink -- very refreshing. Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Since I'm the queen of the house, I think this cocktail would suit me perfectly. And I have the ingredients so let's get this party started!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, basically that's Mrs KR's take on this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Motions and Emotions said...

I can't believe that 3 ingredients can create this beautiful drink.. and lovely click

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi M&E, 3 ingredients, big flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

This is indeed a regal drink - I would never have thought it only needed 3 ingredients! Thanks so much for sharing it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shashi, a lot of drinks have only a few ingredients. It's how you combine them that counts. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

Are you sure it's not for the Queen of England? I could just see her with one of these in one hand while clutching her purse with the other... GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, yup, I could see that too! :-) Thanks for the comment.