Penguin – Mid-Century Gin, Bénédictine & Maraschino Cocktail

The Penguin cocktail brings three assertive ingredients together in a deceptively simple equal-parts formula. Dry gin supplies the botanical backbone, Bénédictine adds honeyed herbs and spice, and maraschino contributes a dry cherry-almond note. Shaken cold and served up, the result is aromatic, spirit-forward, and more layered than its short ingredient list suggests.

Background

The exact origin of the Penguin is unclear, but the drink is associated with mid-20th-century cocktail-book recipes and the era's fondness for compact, liqueur-driven combinations. Its equal-parts construction lets gin, Bénédictine, and maraschino share the spotlight rather than treating either liqueur as a minor accent.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Gin: Provides the dry botanical foundation and keeps the richer liqueurs in check.
• Bénédictine: Adds honeyed sweetness, herbs, warm spice, and depth.
• Maraschino Liqueur: Contributes dry cherry flavor, subtle nuttiness, and a lightly bitter finish.

For gin, another dry botanical gin is the simplest substitution. If Bénédictine is unavailable, Yellow Chartreuse can create a brighter herbal variation, though it will not taste identical. For maraschino, another maraschino-style liqueur is the closest replacement; sweet cherry brandy will produce a noticeably fruitier drink.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Ice
• Strainer
• Cocktail glass

Three Bottles, Equal Billing

Many cocktails use herbal or cherry liqueurs in small accent pours. The Penguin does the opposite. Equal proportions give Bénédictine and maraschino enough room to challenge the gin, creating a concentrated mix of juniper, herbs, honey, cherry, and almond-like notes. Proper chilling and dilution are important because there is no juice, soda, or other mixer to soften the combination.

Substitutions & Variations

• Try a London dry gin for a sharper juniper profile or a softer modern gin for a more floral version.
• Use Yellow Chartreuse in place of Bénédictine for a brighter, more botanical variation.
• Experiment with different maraschino liqueur brands to shift the balance between cherry, nuttiness, and dryness.
• Express a lemon twist over the finished drink when you want extra citrus aroma.
• Choose a cocktail cherry when you want the garnish to reinforce the drink's darker fruit notes.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the cocktail glass before mixing so the drink stays colder after straining.
• Shake thoroughly. With three alcoholic ingredients and no juice, proper dilution is essential to the finished balance.
• Use fresh, solid ice so the drink chills efficiently without becoming watery too quickly.
• Measure all three ingredients consistently to preserve the equal-parts structure.
• For batching, combine equal quantities of all three ingredients ahead of time, keep the mixture cold, then shake individual servings with ice before serving.
• Pair it with salty nuts, aged cheese, or charcuterie to contrast the drink's herbal sweetness.