Predating the modern Martini by several decades, the Tuxedo Cocktail is an IBA Unforgettable that stirs dry vermouth, gin, maraschino liqueur, anise, and orange bitters over ice before straining into a cocktail glass with a cherry garnish. It functions as a more elaborate variation on the dry gin Martini, the maraschino and bitters building a multi-layered, aromatic profile of considerable depth. At around 17 percent ABV it remains a refined short drink. The combination of gin and vermouth with two complementary modifiers places it among the more ornate of the early gin cocktails.
Tuxedo Cocktail
Ingrédients
- Dry Vermouth 1 1/2 oz
- Gin 1 1/2 oz
- maraschino liqueur 1/4 tsp
- Anis 1/4 tsp
- Orange bitters 2 dashes
- Cherry 1
Instructions
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and a twist of lemon zest.
Le Tuxedo Cocktail est un classique « Unforgettable » de l'IBA préparé avec vermouth sec, gin, liqueur de maraschino, anis, bitter à l'orange et une garniture de cerise, remué avec de la glace puis filtré dans un verre à cocktail. C'est une variante sophistiquée et complexe du Martini sec au gin, antérieure de plusieurs décennies au Martini moderne. L'association du gin, du vermouth, du maraschino et du bitter crée une boisson aromatique et riche en strates.
History & Origins
The Tuxedo Cocktail first appeared in the 1888 edition of Harry Johnson's 'New and Improved Illustrated Bartender's Manual,' named after the fashionable Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, New York — a gentleman's club that also gave its name to the dinner jacket. It was the preferred cocktail of the social elite in the Gilded Age and predates the dry Martini that would later eclipse it in popularity. The IBA recognizes it among its Unforgettables.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Gin's juniper and botanicals with dry vermouth's herbal complexity, a subtle almond-cherry note from maraschino, and warm anise from the anis measure. Palate: Dry and layered — gin and vermouth provide the classic Martini structure, enriched by maraschino's sweetness and cherry complexity, orange bitters' spiced citrus, and the anise's aromatic depth. Finish: Long, dry, and complex with lingering herbal and bitters notes.
Pro Tip
Use a dry, floral vermouth like Dolin Dry and a quality London Dry gin to allow all the components to express themselves in the final, balanced drink.
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