Bénédictine facts for kids
Bénédictine is a special herbal drink from France. It's known as a liqueur, which is a type of alcoholic drink. A businessman named Alexandre Le Grand created it in the 1800s. People say it gets its unique taste from 27 different flowers, berries, herbs, roots, and spices.
There's also a version called B&B. This drink mixes Bénédictine with brandy. It was made in the 1930s for people who liked a less sweet taste.
History of Bénédictine
In 1863, Alexandre Le Grand created the recipe for this herbal liqueur. He got help from a local chemist. They used old medicine recipes that Alexandre had found. To make his new drink famous, he told a story. He said that monks at the Benedictine Abbey of Fécamp in Normandy, France, first made the drink. He claimed they made it until the abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution.
Alexandre started selling the drink as "Bénédictine." He used a special bottle and label. To make his story seem more real, he put "D.O.M." on the label. This stands for "Deo Optimo Maximo." It means "To God, most good, most great" in Latin. Benedictine monks often used this phrase to dedicate their work.
By 1982, only 15% of Bénédictine was sold in France. Most of it, about 45%, went to the United States. Today, Bénédictine is popular in over 200 countries. The United Kingdom is an important market in Europe. Many people in the Burnley area of England enjoy it. This is because soldiers from the East Lancashire Regiment learned to like the drink while in France during World War I. In East Lancashire, people often drink Bénédictine with hot water. They call it "Bene 'n' 'ot." The Burnley Miners Club is known for its love of Bénédictine.
In 1986, the Martini & Rossi company took over Bénédictine. Then, in 1992, Bacardi bought them both. By 2010, about 75% of the Bénédictine made was sent to other countries. The biggest fans of Bénédictine are in the United States, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The Secret Recipe
The recipe for Bénédictine is a very closely guarded secret. It's said that only three people know the full recipe at any time. Many people have tried to copy it. Because of this, the company has a "Hall of Counterfeits" at its home in Fécamp. This hall shows all the fake bottles and labels people have made. The company works hard to stop others from copying its special drink.
Making Bénédictine involves several steps of distilling and mixing. The exact recipe is a business secret. But we do know it contains 27 different herbs and spices. Here are 21 of the ones that are publicly known:
- Angelica
- Hyssop
- Juniper
- Myrrh
- Saffron
- Mace
- Fir cones
- Aloe
- Arnica
- Lemon balm
- Tea
- Thyme
- Coriander
- Clove
- Lemon
- Vanilla
- Orange peel
- Honey
- Red berries
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Other Drinks from the Company
The same company that makes Bénédictine also makes "B & B." This drink was created in the 1930s. People at that time started to prefer drinks that were less sweet. So, B & B is simply Bénédictine mixed with brandy. Both Bénédictine and B & B used to have 43% alcohol. Now, they both have 40% alcohol.
In 1977, the company also made a coffee liqueur called Café Bénédictine. It was a mix of Bénédictine and coffee flavor. This drink had 30% alcohol, but it is no longer made. The company also produces a special drink called Bénédictine Single Cask. It comes in a unique black bottle. You can only buy it at the Palais de la Bénédictine's store in Fécamp, France.
See also
In Spanish: Bénédictine para niños
