Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor 

This cocktail belongs to the distinguished class of “Martinis with other stuff in them.” Like many Martinis, the Caprice starts with gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters—the fundamental building blocks. Then, it adds the sweet herbal notes of Benedictine D.O.M. liqueur. 

The 3:1 (gin:vermouth) ratio in this Martini is on the wetter side, and the Benedictine helps smooth out the gin’s sharper edges while adding mouthfeel. As is my custom, I prefer Sipsmith VJOP Gin for its robust juniper flavors in a drink as diluted as this one, and Vya Dry Vermouth contributes fruity notes that other favorite dry vermouths lack. If you find this recipe a bit too sharp, increase the vermouth to 1 or 1½ ounces. I’ve tried that, and it still makes a delicious, flavorful cocktail. 

To change it up, consider making it with a less traditional gin such as Isolation Proof Orchard Gin or Sipsmith Elderflower Rose Gin.

THE CAPRICE
1½ oz Sipsmith VJOP Gin
½ oz Vya Dry Vermouth
½ ounce Bénédictine D.O.M. Liqueur
1 Dash of Regans’ Orange Bitters

Before mixing, select a small Martini glass or cocktail coupe (a Nick and Nora glass is perfect for this) and chill it in your freezer or with ice water while you mix. Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice and stir for 15 seconds or so until the drink is chilled well. Strain the drink into the chilled glass. Express the oils from a strip of orange peel over the drink. If you wish, garnish with the orange peel or simply discard it. 

About our Cocktail of the Week partners—shop local and independent!
Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor are less than a mile from each other, on Monroe Avenue near Twelve Corners in Brighton.

Cooks’ World, in business since 1978, is Rochester’s premier retailer of dining, kitchen, and cooking products, including a complete selection of glassware, mixology tools, and accessories for wine and spirits lovers. Follow Cooks’ World on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up here to receive Cooks’ World’s daily email specials and other news. 

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, in business since 1997, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of spirits and wine from around the world, with a savvy staff to assist in your selection and encourage you along your cocktail and wine journey. Follow Pinnacle on Facebook and Instagram. For the inside track on Pinnacle’s spirits sales, send two text messages to (585)765-7546:
— Text the word “bourbon,” to receive weekly text messages offering the chance to buy rare or allocated whiskies or special prices on popular products.
—Text the word “spirits,” to receive roughly monthly offers on fine spirits other than whiskies.

Shout out to the official supplier of elegant clear ice to the Libation Lounge: My friend Ralph DiTucci of Cristallino Premium Ice and Grace & Disgrace.