By Camper English

White Armenian

Marani is vodka with a touch of extra stuff added, or as they say, it is “made in the traditional Armenian style. It is aged in oak barrels laced with honey and milk for a unique aromatic vodka spirit experience.” Based on that description I wanted to create a honey and milk drink with it. A White Russian is vodka, Kahlua, and milk, so there is some precedence for a milk-and-vodka drink with a sweetening element. Using Marani, milk, and honey yielded a drink not quite interesting enough, though. I looked through my liqueur collection and chose Benedictine, a French herbal liqueur said to contain 27 plants and spices (including cinnamon and allspice, if my taste buds are accurate) that is also aged in oak casks. Just a little bit of it worked magic in this cocktail. The drink starts frothy and milky on first taste, with the Christmassy Benedictine coming in later and finishing with a touch of the honey on the endnote.

2 oz. Marani
1/2 oz. Benedictine
1/2 oz. honey syrup
2 oz. milk

Add all ingredients to an ice-filled shaker, shake and strain into a cocktail glass. To make honey syrup, heat equal parts honey and water in a saucepan until honey melts. Store in refrigerator between uses.