Preakness

1 1⁄2 oz Bourbon, Old Grand Dad 114
3⁄4 oz Sweet vermouth, Carpano Antica Formula
1⁄4 oz Bénédictine
1 ds Bitters, Bitter Truth Aromatic
1 twst Orange peel (as garnish)
Instructions

Stir, strain into a coupe, garnish

History

Created for the first Preakness Ball. Originally called for rye and only 1/2 tsp of Benedictine. Recipe shown here is slightly altered by Death & Co.

Cocktail summary
Posted by DrSid on
Created by
George Backert, Emerson Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland
Year
1936
Is an
altered recipe
Reference

Death & Co cocktail book, p.149 and http://cocktails.pnewman.com/preakness.shtml

Curator
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Average
4.5 stars
(11 ratings)
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Comments

This particular combination from Death & Co., using the high rye (and over proof) bourbon Old Grand-Dad 114, is excellent, although I am sure it would work well with ~90-100 proof rye (maybe upping the volume a little to compensate, proof wise.) The Carpano Antica and Benedictine proportions are spot on to provide the herbal notes without being too sweet. From what I understand, Wondrich indicated the original 1936 recipe only called for 1/2 tsp (1/12 oz) of Benedictine, and Death and Co.'s 1/4 oz is an improvement on that. Difford and some others call for 1/2 oz which would likely push it too far.

I have curated to include the history, creator, year, location and status as an altered historical cocktail.