Cocktail recipe

Poet's Dream

A Prohibition-era gin, dry vermouth and Bénédictine cocktail with a honeyed herbal edge.

Cocktail List 4 minutes
About measurement options
Metric (ml)
Volumes are shown in millilitres or litres.
US (fl oz, cups and spoons)
Uses US fluid ounces, cups and spoons. 1 US fl oz ≈ 29.57 ml.
Imperial (UK and Canada)
The UK and Canada share the imperial fluid ounce. 1 imperial fl oz ≈ 28.41 ml. Small volumes are shown in ml.
Bar (parts and dashes)
On CocktailFun, 1 part = 30 ml. Dashes stay as dashes. Very small volumes may be shown in ml.
Poet's Dream

Description

What it is: A Prohibition-era gin, dry vermouth and Bénédictine cocktail with a honeyed herbal edge.

The story: Poet’s Dream was published in Albert Stevens Crockett’s Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Days in 1931 as an equal-parts mixture of dry gin, French vermouth and Bénédictine with lemon peel. Modern versions often reduce the liqueur slightly to make the drink drier.

Why it works: Gin and dry vermouth create a Martini-like frame, while Bénédictine adds honey, herbs and spice. It is a useful drink for understanding how a relatively small change in liqueur proportion can transform sweetness and texture.

Ingredients

  • 30 ml Gin
  • 22.5 ml Benedictine
  • 30 ml Dry Vermouth
  • 1 piece Lemon peel

Equipment needed

Bar Spoon – For clear, controlled stirring. Fine Mesh Strainer – Optional for a polished serve.

Instructions

  1. Chill a coupe glass thoroughly.
  2. Add gin, Bénédictine and dry vermouth to a mixing vessel filled with ice.
  3. Stir for about 20 seconds until cold and lightly diluted.
  4. Fine strain into the chilled coupe.
  5. Express lemon peel over the surface and use it as garnish.

Recommended glassware

Coupe Glass
Coupe Glass (Recommended)

An elegant stemmed glass for shaken or stirred cocktails served up.

120–240 ml Stemmed glass with a broad shallow bowl.

Best for: Daiquiri, Sidecar, Manhattan served up, Gimlet, Clover Club.

Garnish: Great for expressed citrus peels, cherries, and small edible flowers.

Quick facts

4 minutes Easy Approx. 25.5% ABV 2.7 alcohol units 175 kcal Serve without ice Batch friendly
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