Tuxedo: The Elegant Martini Riff With Gilded Age Roots

In 1886, New York’s Tuxedo Club introduced two icons: the tailless dinner jacket and its namesake cocktail. While the jacket conquered ballrooms, the Tuxedo Cocktail became a bartender’s canvas—a Martini remix with over a century of reinventions.

The Tuxedo Cocktail belongs to the Martini family, specifically the ‘Fancy Martinis’ category popularized in late 19th-century America. Its name honors the Tuxedo Club—a gated estate 40 miles from NYC where high society mingled. Unlike modern Martinis, it emphasizes vermouth’s herbal complexity, blending Gin, Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters, Maraschino Liqueur, and a Absinthe Rinse into a drink that’s aromatic rather than austere.

Taste & Texture: Smoother and more approachable than a Dry Martini, it opens with juniper-forward gin, followed by vermouth’s botanicals. Maraschino adds a whisper of cherry sweetness, while absinthe contributes anise intrigue. Orange bitters tie it together with citrus brightness. At 25-30% ABV, it’s slightly gentler than a standard Martini but retains sophistication.

Visuals & Presentation: Served up in a Chilled Coupe Glass with a Lemon Twist or Brandied Cherry, its pale gold hue mirrors champagne—a nod to its country club origins. Preparation requires moderate skill: balancing the absinthe rinse (too much overwhelms) and precise stirring to maintain silky texture.

Historical Evolution: First documented in Harry Johnson’s 1900 Bartenders’ Manual, early recipes used Old Tom Gin (sweeter) and Fino Sherry. The IBA’s modern ‘Official’ version opts for London Dry Gin and omits sherry. Five classic variations exist, numbered Tuxedo No.1 through No.5, each tweaking ratios or ingredients.

When to Drink: Ideal as an aperitif, at cocktail soirées, or paired with oysters. Its versatility suits both Gatsby-themed parties and casual Friday nights. Though recognized by the IBA, it remains less mainstream than the Martini—a secret handshake among cocktail enthusiasts.