Tuxedo Cocktail No. 1 (Savoy recipe)
A dry and herbal cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 27.5% ABV ∙
The Tuxedo Cocktail No. 1 is a Martini-style aperitif of equal parts dry gin and dry vermouth, sharpened with two dashes of absinthe. Bone dry and spirit-driven, a trace of anise and licorice from the absinthe over crisp juniper and vermouth — a bracing pre-dinner sipper.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients: Lemon peel 1 swathLondon dry gin 45 mlDry vermouth 45 mlAbsinthe 2 dashes
- Strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Tips
- Just two dashes of absinthe is enough; more will bury the gin and vermouth under anise.
History
This recipe follows the version of the Tuxedo Cocktail No. 1 printed in Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) and later in Patrick Gavin Duffy's The Official Mixer's Manual (1934 and 1940). Both books specify a piece of lemon peel, two dashes of absinthe, and equal measures of French (dry) vermouth and dry gin. Craddock's original directs bartenders to shake and strain into a cocktail glass, and Duffy's edition served it in a Nick and Nora glass.
The drink is one of several documented Tuxedo variations, sitting alongside numbered versions built on old tom gin, sherry, maraschino, and orange bitters.
FAQ
What is in a Tuxedo Cocktail No. 1?
Equal parts London dry gin and dry vermouth, two dashes of absinthe, and a swath of lemon peel, stirred over ice and strained into a chilled coupe. It is finished with a maraschino cherry.
Is a Tuxedo Cocktail stirred or shaken?
This version is stirred. The 1930 Savoy original called for shaking, but as an all-spirit drink with no juice or egg it is now usually stirred to keep it clear and silky rather than clouded.
What glass is a Tuxedo Cocktail served in?
A chilled coupe glass, served up with no ice. It is a Martini-style aperitif, so a stemmed glass keeps the drink cold without warming it in the hand.
How is the Tuxedo No. 1 different from the Tuxedo No. 2?
The No. 1 is the simplest version: gin, dry vermouth, absinthe, and lemon peel. The No. 2 keeps the equal-parts gin and vermouth base but adds maraschino liqueur and orange bitters alongside the absinthe.
