Penguin Cocktail Recipe | Gin, Bénédictine, and Maraschino

A smooth and balanced mid-century recipe, the Penguin cocktail combines gin’s crisp bite with the herbal warmth of Bénédictine and the delicate cherry sweetness of maraschino liqueur. Served chilled in a cocktail glass, it’s an elegant drink that feels both classic and refreshing, perfect for slow evenings or lively gatherings.

Background

The Penguin first appeared in mid-20th-century cocktail books, a period when bartenders were experimenting with equal-parts recipes and unusual liqueur pairings. Its use of both Bénédictine and maraschino highlights the era’s taste for layered herbal and fruit flavors.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• Gin – provides the dry, botanical base.
• Bénédictine – adds honeyed herbal depth.
• Maraschino Liqueur – brings a light cherry sweetness and faint nuttiness.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Ice
• Strainer
• Cocktail glass
• Optional garnish: cherry or lemon twist

Layers of Flavor

What makes the Penguin stand out is the unusual trio of spirits in equal measure. The gin stays crisp, the Bénédictine adds warming spice, and the maraschino threads in a fruity lift. Together they create a drink that feels smooth, balanced, and complex without being heavy.

Substitutions & Variations

• Gin → Swap for vodka if you want the liqueurs to dominate, or try a cucumber gin for freshness.
• Bénédictine → Replace with Chartreuse for a sharper herbal kick.
• Maraschino → Cherry brandy works in a pinch; raspberry liqueur creates a different berry profile.

Helpful Tips

• Always chill the glass before straining to keep the drink crisp.
• A single cherry garnish leans into its sweetness, while a lemon twist brightens the herbal notes.
• This equal-parts build is easy to scale up for batched serving at parties.