Spaghetti Western
A smoky and bitter tequila cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 33.6% ABV ∙
The Spaghetti Western is a stirred, spirit-forward cocktail of tequila reposado, Amaro Nonino, and mezcal, finished with a grapefruit twist. Silky and full-bodied, with a smoky undertone giving way to bittersweet depth, the finish lingers long, brightened by a snap of citrus oil.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Tequila reposado 30 mlAmaro Nonino Quintessentia 25 mlMezcal 15 mlOrange bitters 1 dash
- Strain into the ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice)
- Express a grapefruit twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir for about 30 seconds — enough dilution to tame the mezcal's smoke without flattening the amaro.
History
The Spaghetti Western was created in 2011 by Jessica Gonzalez, a bartender at Death & Co in New York City. It was devised as a variation on the bar's own Oaxaca Old Fashioned, swapping in Amaro Nonino in place of agave syrup to bring a bittersweet, herbal edge to the tequila-and-mezcal base.
Both drinks descend from the Old Fashioned, the whiskey-and-bitters template dating to the 19th century, adapted here by building it with agave spirits and an Italian amaro instead of the traditional sugar and whiskey.
FAQ
What is a Spaghetti Western cocktail?
It is a stirred, spirit-forward cocktail built on tequila reposado, finished with a grapefruit twist and served over a large ice cube in an old-fashioned glass. At about 33.6% ABV, it is a strong, slow-sipping drink rather than a quick mixed one.
How do you make a Spaghetti Western?
Stir tequila reposado, Amaro Nonino, mezcal, and a dash of orange bitters with ice, then strain into an old-fashioned glass over a large ice cube or block. Finish by expressing a grapefruit twist over the top and dropping it in as garnish; pre-chilling the glass beforehand helps keep the large cube from melting too fast.
