Death & Taxes cocktail on a dark studio backgroundPublished recipe

Stirred · 1 serving

Death & Taxes

Michael Madrusan's bracing split-base cocktail of Scotch, gin, bitter vermouth, Bénédictine, and orange bitters.

Short answer

Death & Taxes is a stirred cocktail made with scotch whisky, gin, aperitif and amaro, bénédictine, and orange bitters. The recipe below makes 1 serving, with exact quantities, optional garnishes and steps; preparation takes about 5 minutes.
Time5 min
MethodStirred
GlassNickAndNora
LevelEasy
By Kokto EditorialCatalog reviewed Kokto published catalog snapshotHow we review recipes

1 serving

Death & Taxes ingredients

These original amounts make 1 serving. Compare cl, US fluid ounces and parts to use the measure you have at home.

How ml, US oz and parts work
Death & Taxes ingredients in original amounts, cl, oz and parts
IngredientAmountclozparts
Scotch Whisky30 ml3 cl1 oz4 parts
Gin30 ml3 cl1 oz4 parts
Aperitif and amaro22.5 ml2.3 cl0.8 oz3 parts
Bénédictine7.5 ml0.8 cl0.3 oz1 part
Orange Bitters2 dash———

Garnish: One short lemon twist

Method

How to make Death & Taxes

Follow the 6 reviewed catalog steps in order.

  1. 01

    Chill a Nick and Nora glass thoroughly and cut one short thin lemon twist with very little white pith.

  2. 02

    Measure the Scotch whisky, gin, bitter vermouth aperitif, Bénédictine, and orange bitters into a mixing glass.

  3. 03

    Fill the mixing glass three-quarters full with solid cold ice.

  4. 04

    Stir smoothly for about 25 seconds until the mixture is very cold and properly diluted.

  5. 05

    Strain into the chilled Nick and Nora, leaving the clear surface free of ice chips.

  6. 06

    Express the lemon oils over the drink, place only the compact twist at the rim, and serve immediately.

Tasting profile

What does Death & Taxes taste like?

The strongest signals in Kokto’s five-axis profile are strength (5/5) and bitterness (4/5).

Kokto editorial profile for this exact house build. Scores are directional, not laboratory measurements or universal values.

Sweetness2 / 5
Sourness1 / 5
Bitterness4 / 5
Strength5 / 5
Freshness2 / 5

Quick answers

Death & Taxes questions

What is in a Death & Taxes?

Kokto’s build uses scotch whisky, gin, aperitif and amaro, bénédictine, and orange bitters.

How long does a Death & Taxes take to make?

The governed recipe allows about 5 minutes for one serving. Equipment, ice and ingredient preparation can change the real time.

How is a Death & Taxes prepared?

It uses a stirred method and is served in a nickandnora. Follow the reviewed steps above instead of relying on the method label alone.

Is a Death & Taxes alcohol-free?

No. This Kokto recipe contains alcoholic ingredients and is intended only for adults of legal drinking age.

Continue exploring

These reviewed recipes are the closest matches in Kokto’s current catalog set, ranked by shared core ingredients.

Evidence

Sources & editorial note

The ingredients and steps above are Kokto's recipe specification. An external classic reference may use different amounts or techniques; follow one complete specification when mixing.

  • Cocktail App English editorial catalog B078https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/11108/death-and-taxes · amounts, steps, timing and entity relationships
  • Kokto governed media recordCocktail App project owner · Project-owned generated original — all rights reserved

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