Ingredients: Served: Straight up: chilled, without ice. Drinkware: Cocktail glass. Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and a twist of lemon zest. 3 cl gin (Old Tom), 3 cl dry Vermouth, 1/2 barspoon Maraschino, 1/4 barspoon Absinthe, 3 dashes orange bitters

**Tuxedo - Cocktail** Dress up your evening with the sophisticated **Tuxedo Cocktail**, an elegant and complex **Spirit-Forward** classic that's a close relative of the Martini. This refined **Cocktail** combines botanical Old Tom **Gin** with dry **Vermouth**, hints of cherry from **Maraschino Liqueur**, a subtle whisper of **Anise** from **Absinthe**, and aromatic orange **bitters**. It's a layered, aromatic, and smooth drink, traditionally **Stirred** over ice and **Served Up** in a chilled **Cocktail glass**. **Ingredients:** * 3 cl gin (Old Tom) * 3 cl dry Vermouth * 1/2 barspoon Maraschino * 1/4 barspoon Absinthe * 3 dashes orange bitters **Preparation:** 1. Chill your **Cocktail glass** thoroughly. 2. In a mixing glass, add ice. 3. Pour the Old Tom **gin**, dry **Vermouth**, **Maraschino**, **Absinthe**, and orange **bitters** into the mixing glass. 4. **Stir** all ingredients with ice using a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute the mixture. Stirring is key for a clear, silky texture. 5. **Strain** the mixture into your chilled **Cocktail glass**. 6. **Garnish** with a cherry and a twist of lemon zest. 7. Serve **Straight up**, without ice. **Notes and Tips:** * Using Old Tom **Gin** is traditional for the **Tuxedo**, as it's slightly sweeter than London Dry and works well with the **Vermouth** and liqueurs. However, you can use London Dry for a crisper version. * The amounts of **Maraschino**, **Absinthe** (**Anise**), and orange **bitters** are small but crucial; they add depth and complexity without overpowering the main spirits. * Ensure your dry **Vermouth** is fresh and kept refrigerated once opened. * The garnish adds important aromatic notes. Express the oils from the lemon twist over the drink before adding it, and the cherry adds a touch of sweetness at the end. * Proper chilling through **Stirred** is key for this **Spirit-Forward Cocktail** served **Served Up**. **History or Origin:** The **Tuxedo Cocktail** is another classic from the late 19th or early 20th century, named after the Tuxedo Park Club in New York. It's often seen as a variation or cousin of the Dry Martini, distinguishing itself with the addition of **Maraschino Liqueur**, **Absinthe**, and **bitters**, often using Old Tom **Gin** to provide a slightly different flavor profile. **Visual Description:** Served **Straight up** in a chilled **Cocktail glass**, the **Tuxedo** is a clear, pale golden or amber drink. It looks elegant and sophisticated, similar in presentation to a Martini but with more complex garnishes like a cherry nestled at the bottom and a twist of lemon zest draped over the rim. **Conclusion:** For a sophisticated and aromatic **Spirit-Forward Cocktail** that offers a complex take on the Martini style, the **Tuxedo** is a fantastic choice. Its blend of **Gin**, **Vermouth**, **Maraschino Liqueur**, **Anise**, and **Bitters**, **Stirred** and **Served Up**, is perfect for a formal occasion or any time you want a truly layered sip.