Added October 9, 2026

Bitter Abbey

Name: Bitter Abbey
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 1 oz Rye whiskey; 0.5 oz Strega; 0.5 oz Cynar; 0.5 oz Bénédictine; 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

A dark rye sour balancing Strega and Bénédictine with Cynar's earthy bitterness and a bright lemon edge.

AI-assisted recipe · verify proportions before serving

Glass: Coupe
Method: Shake
Ice: None
Garnish: Expressed orange peel
Serves: 1

Servings 1

Ingredients

1 oz Rye whiskey
0.5 oz Strega
0.5 oz Cynar
0.5 oz Bénédictine
0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

Story

The Bitter Abbey pushes the Monte Cassino idea into darker territory. Cynar introduces earthy bitterness to counter the combined sweetness of Strega and Bénédictine, while rye and lemon keep the layered herbal center from becoming heavy.

Method

Chill a coupe glass.
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
Shake until thoroughly chilled.
Strain into the chilled glass.
Express an orange peel over the surface and use it as the garnish.

Notes

This is the most bittersweet of the conversation’s initial Monte Cassino-inspired sours.
A robust rye helps the drink evolve rather than collapse into a single herbal note.