CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1890–1919
Tuxedo
A dry, anise-scented Martini variant dressed for the evening with maraschino and absinthe.
1900Historical classicResearched
The earliest Tuxedo recipe known appears in Harry Johnson’s 1900 Bartenders Manual, calling for equal parts Old Tom gin and dry French vermouth with a dash each of maraschino and absinthe. Versions followed in Grohusko’s 1910 manual, Mahoney’s 1912 Hoffman House guide and MacElhone’s 1927 Barflies & Cocktails. The drink is a semi-dry Martini with a whisper of anise and cherry.
THE RECIPEDry, floral and anise-laced
Ingredients
- Gin45 ml
- Dry vermouth30 ml
- Maraschino liqueur7.5 ml
- Absinthe1 dash
- Orange bitters2 dashes
- Cherry and lemon peelto garnish
Method
Stir the gin, vermouth, maraschino, absinthe and bitters with ice until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry and a lemon twist.
Cocktail glass · no ice · cherry and lemon twist