Negroni fans take note: here’s the tequila cocktail you never knew you needed.
It is not surprising that the origins of the Rosita Cocktail are unclear. Some say it was invented in Tijuana, Mexico, during the cocktail renaissance of the 1950s, when tequila started its meteoric rise in popularity. A recipe appeared in the 1974 edition of the classic “Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide” which featured equal parts tequila and Campari.
Although it was not very popular and disappeared for years, it was later rediscovered and adapted by barman Gary “Gaz” Regan, who found the recipe in his own 1991 cocktail book, “The Bartender’s Bible.” Unfortunately, Regan could not recall where he originally got the recipe. It was later made popular thanks to Robert Hess, who sourced the recipe from an article by Terry Sullivan in the August 1999 issue of GQ Magazine.
But never mind its origin. The Rosita cocktail is an elegant drink that blends European influence with Mexican tradition and a touch of Caribbean spice. It is similar in appearance and taste profile to the Negroni, which includes Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin. Swapping tequila for the gin, the Rosita allows the tequila’s earthiness to express itself in a perfect blend of bitter and sweet flavors, featuring a blend of Campari, two kinds of vermouth, and a dash of Angostura.
Fans of the Negroni will certainly appreciate the Rosita Cocktail’s sweet and bitter flavors. Other similar cocktails include the Boulevardier, which swaps the gin for bourbon, and the Milano Torino, consisting of just Campari and sweet vermouth.
An Interesting Tip for a Variation:
An earlier version of the Rosita Cocktail recipe called for it to be served over crushed ice, which is an option for a refreshing twist in warmer months. Some people prefer to serve it up, without ice, in a Nick & Nora style coupe.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use to Make a Rosita Cocktail?
The traditional Rosita Cocktail calls for Campari, vermouth and tequila, and your choice of spirit will yield different taste profiles in the cocktail. If you want to change the flavor of the traditional recipe, you could substitute the Campari for any Italian bitter cordial such as Aperol, Capeletti, or Luxardo. For sweet vermouth, you can try Dolin, Carpano Antica or Punt e Mes, and for dry vermouth there’s Noilly Prat, Carpano, and also Dolin. Last but not least, you want to use a 100% Blue Weber agave reposado tequila to add a slight oakiness, caramel and vanilla flavors to balance the bitters.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces Tequila
- 3/4 ounce Dry Vermouth
- 3/4 ounce Campari
- 1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth
- 1 dash of Angostura bitters
- Lemon twist to garnish
Instructions
- Combine the tequila, dry vermouth, Campari, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass or shaker filled with ice.
- Stir the mixture steadily for about 20 seconds or until well combined and chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice, garnish with a lemon twist and serve.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
For a classic Rosita Cocktail, use an Old Fashioned glass with a large ice cube or sphere, preferably. Garnish with a lemon twist, but make sure to express the oil and rub it along the rim of the glass before dropping in the cocktail.
It’s easy to make a Rosita Cocktail ahead of time. Combine all ingredients and store in a pitcher or empty liquor bottle and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve over ice and garnish.
A Rosita has about 188 calories.
Why, yes. If you like a richer drink with more accentuated wood and caramel flavors, choose a tequila añejo instead of reposado. You can also up the ante substituting the tequila for mezcal for an even smokier profile.
Sure. The original Rosita Cocktail recipe did not include Angostura, so you can leave it out altogether or use what you have in hand. Lemon, orange, or even chocolate bitters would work nicely here.
Rosita Cocktail Variations
- Negroni: Rosita’s older cousin, featuring the herbaceous flavors of gin.
- Tequila Old Fashioned: A boozy tipple that swaps tequila for the traditional Bourbon.
- Boulevardier: A similar cocktail made with Bourbon instead of tequila.
- Milano Torino: A bittersweet cocktail of just Campari and sweet vermouth.
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