Here’s a simple, boozy drink created in 2007 by Ted Kilgore, bar manager of Monarch Restaurant in Maplewood, Missouri back then. We were introduced to this one by a commenter on the Monte Carlo cocktail post which is an old classic that is similar. This drink was written up by Gary Regan in the San Francisco Chronicle and has been featured all over. However, most folks share sized-down tamer version. It’s definitely a strong drink, and judging by the name, that’s the whole point. We are going to use the proportions Gaz published, thank you very much.

This is one of those drinks that comes with a warning: Drink too many of these and you are in it—Purgatory that is. Everything has a high ABV. Rittenhouse Rye for instance, is 100-proof, Benedictine is 80, and Green Chartreuse weighs in at a whopping 110-proof! This requires a heavy stir to bring some dilution into the picture, so don’t be shy about stirring this for a good 30 seconds. If you opt for the half-size version you can certainly strain into two chilled Nick & Nora glasses for a more petite portion. It’s not a bad idea if you want to enjoy something else after this, but that’s not what we did (for the sake of history).

Purgatory by Ted Kilgore
2.5 oz bonded rye whiskey
.75 oz Benedictine
.75 oz Green Chartreuse

Stir with plenty of cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge or twist.

It was a bold choice combining two prominently-flavored French liqueurs with a spicy overproof whiskey, but it works. Rye’s peppery bite stands up to the heavy herbal notes of the liqueurs which are not as sweet as you might expect. Maybe this is owed in part to good dilution, but we at least expected to have some kind of herbal competition. Instead, Benedictine brings some of its honey flavor which blends nicely into the layered herbal backdrop of Green Chartreuse. It’s bold, but certainly delicious if you like spirit-driven sippers.

We’ve seen adjustments where people add a few dashes of Angostura which probably works. If you like that idea check out the Widow’s Kiss cocktail which opts for Yellow Chartreuse and apple brandy. We’ve also seen people getting away with a mist of absinthe like a Sazerac meets the Vieux Carré. To each their own. Try this and let us know what you think.