The Chrysanthemum

The reintroduction of absinthe in the states has sparked a new curiosity among my bar guests about cocktail involving the mysterious spirit. I always like to give them the absinthe alone, cut with a little water, at first in order to appreciate it individually. Then they get a drip, so I can show them the traditional use of an absinthe spoon. Usually, people are satisfied and move on to other cocktails at this point. Let’s face it; an evening of absinthe is still a daunting proposal to the average American. Occasionally, however, someone asks for something more, or a regular will come back in and ask me to use the absinthe they had enjoyed before in another drink. After tonight, I think my absinthe cocktail of choice will certainly be the Chrysanthemum.I had never made myself a Chrysanthemum before tonight, but it had been on the list ever since it appeared in Paul Clarke’s article on absinthe in last month’s issue of Imbibe. Here’s the one I tried:

The Chrysanthemum

2 oz Vya Dry Vermouth
1/4 oz Benedictine
1/4 oz La Clandestine Absinthe

Stir on ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

The Chrysanthemum is obviously a cocktail of a different sort as its ingredients are generally used in smaller portions in other drinks. I really enjoy cocktails like this because they take you back to a less hateful world when vermouth was treated as an equal libation, not some secondary citizen forced to decay in a speed rail somewhere exposed, yet neglected.

This particular version of the Chrysanthemum is likely a bit different from others I would suspect. The Vya doesn’t have the same dryness as other vermouths, and the La Clandestine has a lighter, more delicate, flavor. Together, I think these two brands worked well in this cocktail because they didn’t overpower one another. But, if using a drier vermouth or bolder absinthe, I would opt for other options if available. People frequently fail to recognize the individual properties of different brands, so be careful and consider your available options individually before placing them together. A recipe is just a suggestion, a great drink is an understanding.

Well, that’s it for today. I just wanted to comment quickly on this cocktail because I really enjoyed it. Try your version of the Chrysanthemum and tell me what you think. For more information on this cocktail, pick up a copy of the current Imbibe magazine and check out the article on absinthe.