French liqueur marks 500 years

Bénédictine is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year by releasing a limited edition black bottle and new cocktail recipes.

The new bottle has been nicknamed “The Black Monk” in reference the colour of the Benedictine order’s habits.

Ludovic Miazga, global brand ambassador for Bénédictine, has devised a selection of new recipes in honour of the occasion including Big Ben, Pamplemousse and Milk & Honey.

Alvin Saal, brand manager for Bénédictine, said: “Bénédictine D.O.M is a truly unique brand and liqueur, with an incredibly rich history.

“The liqueur remains popular with consumers in the UK and is very widely used by mixologists around the world due to its versatility in cocktails.”

Bénédictine’s history goes back to 1510, when a Bénédictine monk named Dom Bernardo Vincelli devised the original recipe at the Abbey of Fécamp in Normandy.

After the abbey’s destruction during the French Revolution this version of the liqueur was lost but in 1863 the drink was recreated by Alexandre Legrand.

It is also stilled produced at Fécamp. The Black Monk will be available worldwide apart from the UK and only in the travel market in Asia.

Rupert Millar, 28.07.2010