Recipes

Tuxedo

Named for the Tuxedo Club in New York, this elegant cocktail is a complex and aromatic precursor to the modern Dry Martini. It balances the sweetness of Old Tom Gin and vermouth with the herbal notes of Maraschino liqueur and a whisper of absinthe.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ oz Old Tom Gin
  • 1 ½ oz Dry Vermouth
  • 1 bar spoon Maraschino Liqueur
  • 1 dash Absinthe
  • 3 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Lemon Twist & a Cherry

Instructions

  1. Chill Your Glass: Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer to get it ice-cold.
  2. Combine and Stir: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until perfectly chilled.
  3. Strain: Strain the contents into your chilled coupe glass.
  4. Garnish: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the drink's surface and drop it in. Finish with a high-quality cocktail cherry.

Pro Tips for Perfection

Use Old Tom Gin: The traditional recipe calls for Old Tom Gin, which is slightly sweeter than the more common London Dry. This sweetness is key to balancing the other complex ingredients. If you only have London Dry, you may want to use a slightly more generous bar spoon of Maraschino liqueur.

Stirred, Not Shaken: As an all-spirit cocktail, the Tuxedo must be stirred to achieve its classic silky texture and perfect clarity. Shaking would over-dilute the drink and make it cloudy.

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