Tuxedo Cocktail No. 2 (Savoy recipe)
Stir ∙ Coupe glass ∙ 3 min ∙ 27.7% ABV ∙
The Tuxedo No. 2 is a spirit-forward gin-and-vermouth martini variation, brightened with maraschino, orange bitters, and an absinthe accent, then stirred and served up. Crisp and bracingly dry, with a nutty maraschino sweetness, a wisp of anise, and a citrus-oil lift on the finish — a polished pre-dinner sipper.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 45 mlDry vermouth 45 mlMaraschino liqueur 1 dashOrange bitters 2 dashesAbsinthe 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a lemon twist and a maraschino cherry
Tips
- Stir over ice about 30 seconds to chill and dilute; strain into a coupe you've pre-chilled.
- Maraschino and absinthe are both loud — a single dash each keeps them supporting the gin, not overtaking it.
- Rinse the glass with absinthe and discard the excess rather than pouring it in, for a subtler anise note.
- Express a lemon twist over the surface so the citrus oils sharpen the dry vermouth.
History
The Tuxedo cocktail dates to the late 19th century and is generally linked to the Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, New York, the milieu that also gave the dinner jacket its name. The "No. 2" designation comes from Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), which listed two distinct Tuxedo recipes; the second, a martini-style build accented with maraschino, orange bitters, and absinthe, is the one that endured. Modern bartenders have kept the drink alive with their own interpretations: New York's Flora Bar served a version that Robert Simonson named among his top cocktails of 2017.
FAQ
What's in a Tuxedo cocktail?
The Tuxedo No. 2 is built on equal parts London dry gin and dry vermouth, sharpened with a dash of maraschino liqueur, two dashes of orange bitters, and a dash of absinthe. It is stirred and served up in a coupe.
How do you make a Tuxedo No. 2?
Stir gin, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, and a dash of absinthe over ice until well chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist and a maraschino cherry. Some recipes rinse the glass with absinthe instead of stirring it in.
Is a Tuxedo cocktail shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Because it is a spirit-and-vermouth build with no juice or egg, stirring keeps it clear and silky; shaking would cloud it and add unwanted aeration.
What glass is a Tuxedo cocktail served in?
A coupe. The Tuxedo No. 2 is served up, without ice, so a chilled coupe holds the drink at temperature and shows off its clarity, finished with a lemon twist and a cherry.
What cocktail is The Savoy famous for?
London's Savoy is best known for cocktails from The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), compiled by American Bar head bartender Harry Craddock, which recorded the Tuxedo No. 2 among hundreds of classics. The White Lady and the Corpse Reviver No. 2 are also closely associated with the bar.
