Photo by Dima Velyush
Sometimes, off-the-cuff cocktails are too good to keep a secret.
When patrons kept asking for a “not too sweet” Old Fashioned variation, Chris Gaspar, head bartender at New York City's KABIN, created the Nordic Nightcap. Still off the menu, it has become a favorite with regulars and first-timers alike. “It’s become a bit of a hidden gem, so I love recommending it to guests,” says owner Alex Tangen.
Blending elements of two modern classics—the Monte Carlo (made with rye, Benedictine, and Angostura) and the Widow’s Kiss (apple brandy, Benedictine, yellow Chartreuse, and Angostura)—some might label the cocktail a mutt. But hold any judgment, because it's bold and elegant, and perfect for winter.
“It's spirit-forward with a pleasant warmth, dark coffee notes, and a layered herbal complexity from the green chartreuse that cuts through the sweetness. The Bénédictine adds depth with its honey and spice notes, creating a rich yet balanced sip,” Tangen says. “It makes for a beautiful nightcap.”
Nordic Nightcap
- 2 oz. High West Double Rye (or other rye )
- 1/2 oz. Bénédictine
- 1/4 oz. green chartreuse
- 1/4 oz. Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee liqueur
- Grapefruit peel for garnish
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 40 revolutions. Strain over a large cube in a rocks glass and garnish with grapefruit peel.
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