Honeymoon Cocktail

The Honeymoon Cocktail is a timeless drink that combines rich, fruity, and citrus flavors into one smooth and refreshing glass. Apple brandy provides the base with its warm, fruity depth, while curaçao adds a touch of sweetness and a light hint of orange. Bénédictine contributes herbal spice and complexity, giving the drink balance and character. Fresh lemon juice brightens the mix, adding tartness that ties the flavors together. The result is a cocktail that feels both refreshing and refined, making it perfect for celebrations, romantic evenings, or simply enjoying a classic drink with a touch of charm and history.

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Tasting Notes

The Honeymoon Cocktail is a bright, smooth classic that combines orchard richness with citrus and herbal depth. Apple brandy serves as the foundation, offering fruit-forward warmth with a hint of oak. Curacao brings a touch of sweet orange zestiness, while Bénédictine adds layers of honeyed herbs and spice. Fresh lemon juice ties everything together with refreshing acidity, keeping the drink lively and balanced. The resulting cocktail is crisp yet rounded, with a harmonious blend of sweetness, citrus, and fruit. Its golden color and smooth texture make it a timeless drink for celebratory moments or quiet evening sipping.

Equipment and Glassware

Preparing the Honeymoon Cocktail is straightforward, requiring only basic cocktail tools. A jigger ensures accurate measurement of each ingredient, preserving balance between fruit, citrus, and herbal sweetness. A cocktail shaker is essential for properly chilling and integrating the mixture, while ice cubes provide the necessary dilution. A fine strainer helps achieve a clean, smooth pour. For presentation, a chilled coupe or cocktail glass is ideal, showcasing the drink’s golden hue. A citrus press or juicer can be useful for extracting fresh lemon juice to enhance brightness. With just these tools, this classic cocktail is both simple and elegant to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces apple brandy
• 1/2 ounce curacao
• 1/2 ounce Bénédictine
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the apple brandy, curacao, Bénédictine, and lemon juice.
• Shake well until the mixture is well-chilled.
• Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the bright, balanced flavors of this classic drink.

Pro Tips

• Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor.
• Shake vigorously to achieve the proper chill and dilution.
• Chill the serving glass ahead of time for better presentation.
• Use high-quality apple brandy for smooth depth.
• Experiment with orange curaçao vs. triple sec for slight flavor variation.
• Consider a lemon twist garnish to accentuate citrus aroma.
• For a slightly sweeter version, reduce lemon juice to 0.25 oz.
• Pair with light desserts or fruit tarts for a balanced pairing.

When to Serve

The Honeymoon Cocktail is a classic drink that feels at home in many settings, from casual evenings to special celebrations. Made with apple brandy, curaçao, Bénédictine, and fresh lemon juice, it balances citrus brightness with fruit, gentle sweetness, and a touch of spice. Its smooth profile makes it a natural choice as an aperitif before dinner, while its name gives it a romantic charm suited for weddings, anniversaries, and toasts. Light enough for summer yet rich enough for cooler nights, the Honeymoon Cocktail is versatile, flavorful, and timeless, offering a sense of occasion every time it is served.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

• Apple Brandy: Laird’s Applejack, Christian Drouin, Copper & Kings
• Curacao: Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, Cointreau, Senior Curaçao of Curaçao
• Bénédictine: Bénédictine D.O.M.
• Bitters (optional twist): Angostura, Peychaud’s

Similar Cocktails

• Caramel Apple Manhattan
• Brandy-Pecan Flip
• Harvest Moon Applejack Cocktail
• Maple-Bourbon Smash
• Maple Leaf