Fat Friar Cocktail – Apple Brandy & Bénédictine Blend
The Fat Friar blends apple brandy, Bénédictine, Triple Sec, and lemon juice for a sweet-herbal sour with French flair. This simple shaken cocktail balances fruit, citrus, and spice in a crisp, elegant glass.
A balanced mix of apple brandy, Bénédictine, and citrus makes the Fat Friar a smooth, aromatic sour with a subtle herbal edge. It’s refined enough for dinner parties yet easy to shake up anytime.
Background
The Fat Friar echoes vintage brandy-herbal pairings from early-20th-century France. With Calvados-style depth and Benedictine’s honeyed spice, it recalls monastic liqueur traditions while fitting modern tastes.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Apple Brandy – Fruity, warming base.
- Bénédictine – Adds herbal sweetness.
- Triple Sec – Brightens the flavor.
- Lemon Juice – Balances sweetness with acidity.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Coupe or cocktail glass
Why You’ll Love It
Bittersweet Harmony – Crisp apple and honeyed herbs form a smooth, rounded flavor with just enough citrus lift.
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap Calvados for deeper apple character.
- Replace Bénédictine with Yellow Chartreuse for sharper spice.
- Add a dash of Angostura Bitters for warmth.
Helpful Tips
- Chill the glass first to keep texture silky.
- Garnish with lemon twist or apple slice.
- Works well batched for small gatherings.
Fat Friar Recipe
Type of Glass
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz.
- 0.75 oz. Bénédictine
- 0.25 oz.
- 0.25 oz.
Directions
- Fill a shaker halfway with ice.
- Add Apple Brandy, Bénédictine, Triple Sec, and Lemon Juice.
- Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or apple slice.
A quietly complex drink that turns simple ingredients into something graceful and memorable.
