Few cocktails wear sophistication as elegantly as the Tuxedo. With its origins rooted in the late 19th century, the Tuxedo cocktail is a shining example of how timeless ingredients and careful craftsmanship can produce a drink that feels both vintage and modern. The Tuxedo evokes an image of velvet lounges, jazz in the background, and a well-dressed bartender behind a polished bar. Our rendition of this esteemed potable replaces gin with Lustau Fino Jarana and Vermut Lustau Dry instead of French dry vermouth, which creates a low ABV cocktail that is sure to tantalize your senses.
COCKTAIL: Tuxedo
Full Ingredients list
- 1.5oz (45ml) Lustau Fino Jarana
- 1.5oz (45ml) Vermut Lustau Dry
- 1 dash Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
- 1 dash Kubler Absinthe
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
- Garnish: Lemon twist & Maraschino cherry
Recipe author: Steven Dragun
WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THE TUXEDO COCKTAIL?
The Tuxedo cocktail is named after the elite Tuxedo Park Club in New York City, the same institution that popularized the formalwear of the same name. The Club opened on May 30th, 1886, and it is presumed that the cocktail originated here sometime in the late 1890’s. The Tuxedo is one of the many Martini variations that were popular in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and first appeared in Harry Johnson’s Bartender’s Manual from 1900. The same recipe, bar the odd dash of bitters, also appears in Jack’s Bar Manual by Jacob Abraham Grohusko (1910), Hoffman House Bartender’s Guide by Charles Mahoney (1912), and Barflies & Cocktails by Harry MacElhone (1927). Like many pre-Prohibition drinks, the Tuxedo reflects the period’s fondness for gin, fortified wines, and European bitters. Its refined profile made it a popular choice among America’s growing class of cosmopolitan drinkers.
The Tuxedo is crisp and aromatic. The gin provides a botanical backbone, while the vermouth, maraschino, absinthe, and orange bitters add nuance with slight citrus, nutty, saline, and savory notes. It’s a contemplative drink, best sipped slowly. Modern mixologists have embraced the Tuxedo for its balance and adaptability. Some use contemporary gins with bold botanical profiles, while others experiment with different types of vermouth to deepen the flavor. The drink’s versatility also makes it an ideal canvas for variations. The Tuxedo cocktail is more than just a Martini offshoot. It’s a glimpse into the golden age of cocktails, where elegance was poured into every glass. Whether you’re stepping into a black-tie affair or simply enjoying a quiet evening, the Tuxedo serves as a reminder that refinement never goes out of style.
Check other Martini variations and similar cocktails
WHAT GLASS IS BEST TO SERVE A TUXEDO COCKTAIL IN?
A Tuxedo is traditionally served in a coupe glass. A coupe is a shallow, broad-bowled saucer shaped stemmed glass generally capable of containing 6oz to 8oz (180ml to 240ml) of liquid.
Originally called a tazza, it first appeared circa 1663, when it was created by Venetian glassmakers employed at a Greenwich glass factory owned by the Duke of Buckingham.
The tazza was originally designed as a vessel for champagne. Rebranded in early Victorian times as the “champagne coupe” and promoted through commercial channels, it quickly gained favor among English high society. In France, the coupe held its place as the glass of choice from the 18th century through the 1970s, while in the United States it dominated from the 1930s until the 1980s. Beyond champagne, coupes also became a staple for cocktails served “up,” often chosen instead of a Martini glass.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MAKE A TUXEDO?
HOW TO PREPARE A TUXEDO COCKTAIL AT HOME
1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass
2. Add ice, stir, and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Express lemon oil and discard twist, then garnish with a Maraschino cherry.
FAQ
How much alcohol is in Tuxedo cocktail?
A traditional Tuxedo has 22.7% ABV, and our low ABV Tuxedo has 12.3% ABV, with a difference of 10.4% ABV
What is the difference between a low abv tuxedo and a normal tuxedo cocktail?
A normal Tuxedo calls for gin whereas our low ABV Tuxedo uses dry sherry as a substitution.
What is the best way to garnish a tuxedo cocktail?
A Tuxedo is garnished with a Maraschino cherry with expressed lemon oil from a lemon twist.
