Le Smoking Tuxedo is a crisp, aromatic variation on the classic Tuxedo cocktail, made by stirring gin with dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and a restrained touch of absinthe. Served very cold in a cocktail glass with a lemon twist, it balances herbal depth with a dry, lightly fruity finish.
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) London dry gin
- 1 oz (30 ml) dry vermouth
- 1/4 oz (7.5 ml) maraschino liqueur
- 1/4 oz (7.5 ml) chilled water, if serving without ice in the glass
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) absinthe, for rinsing the glass
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 strip lemon peel, about 2 inches (5 cm), for garnish
- 1 cup (140 g) ice cubes, for stirring
Instructions
- Chill a small cocktail or coupe glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you mix the drink.
- Pour the absinthe into the chilled glass. Tilt and rotate the glass so a thin film coats the inside, then discard the excess. This keeps the anise aroma present without letting it dominate.
- Add the gin, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, and ice to a mixing glass. Stir briskly for about 25 to 30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass feels very cold. Stirring chills and dilutes the drink gently; shaking would make it cloudier and introduce more air.
- If serving the cocktail straight up, strain it into the absinthe-rinsed glass. If you prefer a drink over fresh ice, put a large cube in the prepared glass and strain the mixture over it. Add the chilled water only if you want extra dilution or are preparing the drink without enough stirring ice; the ice used for stirring will normally provide the needed dilution.
- Hold the lemon peel over the surface of the drink, skin-side down, and gently squeeze it to release its oils. Run the peel around the rim, then drop it in or set it on the rim. Serve immediately.
Tips
- Measure the absinthe carefully. A rinse means coating the glass, not pouring a full measure into the finished cocktail. If you do not have absinthe, rinse with pastis or another anise liqueur; the flavor will be sweeter and less complex. You can also omit it, though the drink will lose a defining herbal note.
- Choose a dry vermouth you would drink. Vermouth is wine-based and its flavor is noticeable in a spirit-forward cocktail. Keep an opened bottle refrigerated and use it within about one to two months for the freshest flavor.
- Adjust the maraschino in small increments. Maraschino liqueur is dry and distinctive, not the same as the bright-red syrup from cocktail cherries. Start with the listed 1/4 oz (7.5 ml); add another barspoon only if you want a more pronounced cherry-almond note.
- Use plenty of cold ice and stir until chilled. Small, wet ice melts quickly and can make the drink watery before it is cold. If the cocktail tastes too strong, stir a little longer or add a teaspoon of chilled water rather than adding a large pour of sweet liqueur.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Le Smoking Tuxedo as an aperitif or as a short cocktail before dinner. A chilled coupe or Nick and Nora glass suits the straight-up version; a rocks glass with one large cube gives a slower, slightly softer sip. The lemon twist is the standard garnish here, but a single cocktail cherry can accompany it if you enjoy a subtle extra fruit note. Keep snacks simple so they do not overwhelm the drink: salted almonds, olives, crisp crackers, or a small cheese board pair well with its dry, botanical character.
This is a strong cocktail, so serve it in its modest 3-ounce (90 ml) pre-dilution proportions rather than topping it up in a large glass. It is an alcoholic drink for adults of legal drinking age; enjoy responsibly.
Variations
- Less anise-forward: Use only a few drops of absinthe in the glass, then swirl and discard the excess. This leaves a faint aromatic trace without a prominent licorice flavor.
- More citrus aroma: Add a second dash of orange bitters or garnish with a wider lemon peel. Avoid adding much lemon juice, which would turn this stirred, spirit-forward drink into a sharper, less classic variation.
- Richer and rounder: Replace the dry vermouth with blanc vermouth in the same amount. The result is softer and sweeter, so reduce the maraschino to 1 teaspoon (5 ml) if needed.
- Gin swap: A softer, less juniper-heavy gin makes the drink gentler, while a strongly botanical gin emphasizes its herbal side. Keep the same measure and taste before changing the vermouth or bitters.
Storage and Reheating
This cocktail is best mixed and served immediately because it relies on fresh chilling, measured dilution, and a freshly expressed lemon peel. Do not store a finished drink with ice in it; the ice will continue melting and make it progressively weaker. If you need to prepare ahead, combine the gin, vermouth, maraschino, and bitters in a clean, covered container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Do not add the absinthe rinse, garnish, or stirring ice until serving. Stir the chilled batch with ice, strain, and garnish as directed. There is no reheating for a cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Le Smoking Tuxedo?
It is a stirred gin cocktail in the Tuxedo family, flavored with dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, and an absinthe rinse. Recipes for Tuxedo-style drinks vary, so the name can refer to different proportions or small ingredient changes.
Can I make it without absinthe?
Yes. Omitting the absinthe makes a pleasant gin-and-vermouth cocktail, but it will lack the aromatic anise note associated with this style. Pastis is a practical substitute; use a light rinse because it tends to taste sweeter.
Is maraschino liqueur the same as maraschino cherry syrup?
No. Maraschino liqueur is a clear, relatively dry liqueur made from Marasca cherries and their pits. Cherry syrup is sweet and often brightly colored, and it will make the drink substantially sweeter if used as a direct substitute.
Should I shake or stir this drink?
Stir it with ice. The ingredients are spirits and fortified wine rather than citrus or other juice, so stirring chills and dilutes the drink while keeping it clear and smooth. Shake only if you deliberately prefer a colder, more aerated, cloudy texture.
Can I batch it for a small gathering?
Yes. Multiply the spirit, vermouth, maraschino, and bitters by the number of servings and keep the mixture refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Stir each portion with ice and strain, or add measured water to the batch to account for dilution, then serve very cold. Rinse each glass with absinthe separately so the aroma stays controlled.
What if I do not have a mixing glass or bar spoon?
Use a sturdy jar or tall glass and a long-handled spoon. Add ice and stir carefully for about 25 to 30 seconds, then strain through a small kitchen strainer. A chilled glass and adequate ice matter more than specialized bar equipment.
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