History Of DOM Benedictine
Claimed to be brewed with a recipe developed by Benedictine monks in Normandy, France in the early 16 th century, Benedictine DOM is actually a product invented by the French wine merchant and aristocrat, Alexandre Le Grand in the middle of the 19 th century.
While the story about whether the liqueur was actually made with the authentic Benedictine monks’ recipe has been much disputed since the production of the drink, it is without doubt that authentic recipe or not, this timeless liqueur is enjoyed by all.
The abbreviation D.O.M. is printed on every bottle of every DOM Benedictine ever sold, it stands for the Latin words “Deo Optimo Maximo”. Loosely translated, this term means “to God, the most good, the most great”, which claims that Benedictine DOM is a liqueur that even God would drink, and serves as a reminder to the liqueur’s origin from ancient monks.
27 Ingredients Of DOM Benedictine
To this day, the full recipe of Benedictine DOM. is not known to the public due to the manufacturers’ extraordinary secrecy over it. What is known is that the liqueur is made with a blend of 27 different herbs, plants and spices, of which 21 of these ingredients have been revealed, leaving six unknown ingredients that will remain a mystery.
The 21 known herbs and spices include Angelica root, hyssop, juniper, myrrh, saffron, mace, fir cones, aloe, arnica, lemon balm, tea, thyme, coriander, clove, lemon, vanilla, orange peel, honey, red berries, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This mixture of unique ingredients in an equally unique blend results in an incredibly sweet yet composed flavour, with a full-bodied herbal palate that emphasises each of the 27 distinct ingredients, yet none of them dominating the aroma of the other. What sets Benedictine apart from other herbal liqueurs is that while traditional herbal liqueurs hold a medicinal aftertaste in flavour, Benedictine has a distinct, sweet honeyed essence, with light nuances of the herbs and spices used in its recipe. This alluring taste of Benedictine is one that is truly special and on another level on its own.
Bénédictine D.O.M. Liqueur: Cocktail For All
Originally, Benedictine D.O.M. was produced at 43% alcohol by volume, or 86 proof but after the 1930s, it is now bottled at 40% alcohol or 80 proof, which is still not a mild liqueur by any means. This alcohol percentage is similar to the average whiskey, tequila, rum and many other base spirits, and as all other alcoholic drinks, should be enjoyed responsibly.
There are many ways to enjoy Benedictine D.O.M. and appreciate its flavour. Many purists would argue that the best way to taste the liqueur is to drink it neat, on its own, without adding anything at all to it. Drinking it this way releases the light herbal notes onto the drinker’s nose, followed by the sweet taste of honey with hints of the herbs and spice, and finally ending with a spreading warmth as the drink lingers in the mouth.
Another popular method to drinking DOM is adding a single cube of ice into it. As with most whiskeys, adding ice into DOM Benedictine opens up different and new flavours that are distinct from its original flavour notes. The general rule when adding ice into this liqueur is the bigger the ice, the better it tastes as this maximises chilling of the liqueur while minimising the dilution of the alcohol in it.
Benedictine DOM is also widely enjoyed as a drink simply mixed with brandy, creating a drink aptly called the B&B, or Benedictine and Brandy. In fact, this drink was so popular that the manufacturers of Benedictine started producing their own blend of B&B. This liqueur has a drier taste compared to neat Benedictine, resulting in a taste that is less sweet and some would enjoy it more.
Benedictine is also a liqueur that can be enjoyed in a variety of cocktail such as the simply named Benedictine Cocktail. A basic cocktail that comprises of 1 ½ parts good quality Cognac, ¾ part Benedictine DOM, ¾ part lemon juice and a twist of lemon as garnish, the Benedictine Cocktail is an easy to make drink that can be readily made with a few simple ingredients.
DOM Benedictine Recipe
In Asian cooking, particularly Southeast Asian cuisine, Benedictine DOM is widely used to enhance taste and impart herbal flavours into many dishes, while also believed to provide many health benefits. DOM is often stir-fried into meat dishes as it pairs well with proteins such as chicken or pork. An example of this would be the Stir-Fry Ginger Chicken with DOM Benedictine.
Stir-Fry Ginger Chicken with DOM Benedictine
Ingredients:
- 1/2 portion of Chicken, bite-size cuts
- 6 – 8 Slices of Ginger, thinly sliced
- 1 – 2 Tablespoons of Sesame Oil
- ½ – ¾ Cups Benedictine DOM
- ½ Teaspoon Dark Soy Sauce
- ½ – 1 Teaspoon of Light Soy Sauce
- Some Wolfberries and Coriander
Steps:
1. Mix in the ginger, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil and cooking wine into a bowl and pour the marinate over the chicken, marinate for at least 15 minutes to an hour in the fridge.
2. Preheat frying pan with sesame oil and saute the sliced ginger till fragrant and slightly golden in colour.
3. Add in the marinated chicken and stir-fry till slightly brown, add in the D.O.M., light and dark soy sauce and simmer on low heat while covered for another 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Do not worry about the alcohol taste as it will evaporate during the cooking process.
4. Turn off the heat, stir in the wolfberries and extra drizzle of sesame oil (optional). Serve immediately with steamed white rice on a plate, top with coriander.
DOM Benedictine FAQs
The price of a 750 ml bottle of Benedictine D.O.M. in Malaysia ranges between RM 155.00 to RM200.00 at usual market price. This is a rather competitive price when comparing with other alcoholic beverages such as whiskeys and brandies. Also similar to other hard liquors, Benedictine DOM has no actual expiry date, with some believing that like good wines, the longer you store DOM, the better it becomes. There is also no need to keep opened bottles of DOM Benedictine refrigerated, as it does not spoil easily. So, the next time you open a bottle of Benedictine DOM, take your time in appreciating this delicious herbal liqueur, if you can keep your hands off it!