la belle epoque

2 oz Cognac or Dry Brandy (Foret)
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Yellow Chartreuse
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1 barspoon Benedictine
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Two Thursdays ago, I opened up The Cocktail Hour: Brandy and spotted La Belle Epoque by Kevin Dowell of Laszlo in San Francisco. The booklet described the recipe as, "This sophisticated cocktail in the classic tradition really harkens back to a beautiful French era." Besides the name, I was drawn in for it reminded me of a Champs-Élysées cocktail; while some Champs-Élysées use Green Chartreuse, all of the ones that I have been Yellow. Here in La Belle Epoque, there was an additional herbal element of Benedictine added to the mix.
La Belle Epoque greeted the nose with a lemon oil and brandy aroma. A sweet lemon sip gave way to a brandy and herbal swallow that finished with a honey note from the Yellow Chartreuse.