Homemade Benedictine (Killmister) Recipe

Benedictine by John Killmister

Benedictine is regarded as one of the world's classic liqueurs. It's recipe is supposed to be a closely guarded secret of the Benedictine Monks. The following recipe was unearthed from an ancient book of pharmaceutical formulae from England.

Benedictine Essence

• Cardamom seeds, myrrh, & mace, of each 15 gr.
• Galangal root, ginger, & orange peel, of each 2.5 dr.
• Extract of aloes 1 dr.
• Alcohol (90%) 6 oz.
• Water 2.5 oz.

Macerate for a week, press, & filter. To the filtrate add-

• Caramel 10 dr.
• Spirit of nitrous ether 8 oz.
• Solution of ammonia 15 minim
• Vanillin sugar 15 gr.
• Liquorice juice 5 dr.
• Acetic ether 1 oz.
• Coumarin 1.5 gr.
• Oils of lemon & bitter orange, of each 1 dr.
• Oil of anise 15 drops
• Oil of bitter almond 12 drops
• Oil of sassafras 7 drops
• Oil of hyssop 4 drops
• Oils of hops & cardamom, of each 2 drops
• Oil of galangal 0.5 dr.
• Oil of wormwood 40 drops
• Oils of ginger & cascarilla, of each 15 drops
• Oil of millefoil 10 drops
• Oil of angelica 6 drops
• Oils of juniper & rosemary, of each 1 drop

Bring up the volume to 17.5 oz. by the addition of alcohol (90%). The essence should be matured for 2 years before being used for the following:-

Liqueur

• Benedictine essence 1 oz.
• Alcohol (90%) 24 oz.
• Sugar 22 oz.
• Water 20 oz.

Dissolve the sugar in the water, & to the syrup add the essence, previously mixed with the spirit.

Conversions.

• 1 oz. = 28.35 grams.
• 1 drachm = 3.88 grams.
• 1 grain = .065 grams.
• 1 minim = .059 c.c.