Tuxedo Cocktail No. 4 (Tussetto)
Stir ∙ Coupe glass ∙ 3 min ∙ 31.6% ABV ∙
The Tuxedo Cocktail No. 4 is a stirred, spirit-forward Martini relative built on London dry gin with fino sherry standing in for vermouth and a dash of orange bitters. Bone-dry and crisp, with juniper up front, a savory nutty edge from the sherry, and a whisper of orange bitters — a sharp aperitif before dinner.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 60 mlFino sherry 30 mlOrange bitters 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir with ice for about 30 seconds until well chilled — this build is undiluted spirit and sherry, so dilution matters.
- Use a genuinely dry fino sherry; an aged or oxidative style shifts the balance heavier and less crisp.
- Express the orange twist over the surface before dropping it in — the oils carry the drink's only citrus note.
- Chill the coupe first so the low-dilution build stays cold from the first sip to the last.
History
The Tuxedo Cocktail is a family of Martini variations named for the Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, New York. This fino sherry version descends from the recipe adapted in Imbibe magazine from Albert Stevens Crockett's 1931 book Old Waldorf Bar Days, which documented drinks served at New York's Waldorf-Astoria bar; it swaps vermouth's herbal character for the nuttiness of fino sherry. The name covers several distinct builds: the better-known Tuxedo No. 2, revived in recent years, keeps blanc vermouth and adds maraschino liqueur, an absinthe rinse, and orange bitters. The numbering distinguishes these competing formulas rather than marking a single original.
FAQ
What's in a Tuxedo Cocktail No. 4?
London dry gin, fino sherry, and a dash of orange bitters, stirred over ice and strained into a coupe with an orange twist. The sherry replaces the vermouth found in a standard Martini, giving a drier, nuttier result.
Is a Tuxedo Cocktail shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Like its cousin the Martini, this is a clear, spirit-forward drink, so it is stirred with ice and strained rather than shaken, which would cloud and aerate it.
What glass is a Tuxedo Cocktail served in?
A chilled coupe glass. The drink is served up, without ice, so it is strained into a stemmed coupe and finished with an orange twist.
How is a Tuxedo No. 4 different from a Tuxedo No. 2?
The No. 4 uses fino sherry in place of vermouth for a dry, nutty profile. The Tuxedo No. 2 keeps blanc vermouth and adds maraschino liqueur, an absinthe rinse, and several dashes of orange bitters, making it richer and more aromatic.
