The Naked and Famous cocktail is deliciously complex and perfectly balanced with a smoky, bitter, sweet, and refreshingly citrusy flavour. It is a blend of equal parts mezcal, Aperol, Chartreuse, and lime juice. This refreshing cocktail makes a perfect aperitif and it's one of my very favourite go-to drinks.
This cocktail was granted International Bartender Association's official cocktail status; essentially its place on a list that includes all of the great classic cocktails as well as a few newer editions. It is a true modern classic cocktail. Have a taste and you will soon see why.
Ingredients
- Aperol - A bright orange, Italian bitter apertif with a flavour that is slightly sweet, bitter, and herbal with zesty citrus. This adds colour and bitter complexity to the drink. It is less intense than Campari, which would drown the complexity of the mezcal.
- Yellow Chartreuse - A sweet, spicy, and herbaceous liqueur made from a secret recipe by Monks in France. The liquor is distilled with 130 different herbs, plants, and flowers. See my Gypsy Eyes cocktail post to read a bit more about the fascinating history of Chartreuse. Yellow Chartreuse is preferred over the Green version in this recipe because it is less intense, giving the mezcal more ability to shine through.
- Mezcal - A distilled liquor from Mexico that can be made from 11 different types of agave plants (tequila only comes from the blue agave plant) and comes in a wide range of flavour profiles. The true to original recipe mezcal to use is Del Maguey's Chichicapa. However, you can use any big, 'smoky' mezcal in this cocktail. It needs to be able to contend with the two complex liqueurs and you want the smoke flavour.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice - This adds a bright, fresh, and citrusy burst of flavour.
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Origin
Joaquín Simó created this cocktail at the famous Death & Co bar, New York, in 2011. Featured in the Death & Co book, it is a variation and a blend of the classic Last Word cocktail and the Paper Plane, or according to Simó, a "bastard love child borne out of an illicit Oaxacan love affair" between the two. All three are made of four equal parts.
- Paper plane is made of bourbon, Nonino amaro, Aperol, and lemon juice.
- The Last Word is made of gin, Green Chartreuse, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
The name of this cocktail, 'Naked and Famous', was a lyric pulled from the song 'Tricky Kid' by Tricky that Simó enjoyed in his youth. It has come to be his most popular cocktail creation.
Instructions
Measure all of the ingredients into your cocktail shaker and shake well with ice.
Pour through a cocktail strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
Optionally, garnish with a lime wedge or with edible flowers like I did.
Disclaimer: It should be said that not everyone who gets naked becomes famous. So keep that in mind before having too many of these and getting any wild ideas. 😉
Equipment
You will need the following bar equipment to make the Naked and Famous cocktail:
- Cocktail shaker
- Cocktail strainer
- Japanese jigger
These and many more useful bar tools can be found in this cocktail bar set. You will also need a coupe glass for serving.
📖 Recipe
Naked & Famous Cocktail
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Description
The Naked and Famous cocktail is deliciously complex and flavourful, with a smoky, herbaceous, and refreshing citrus profile.
Ingredients
¾ oz (22.5ml) Aperol
¾ oz (22.5ml) Yellow Chartreuse
¾ oz (22.5ml) smoky mezcal
¾ oz (22.5ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions
Measure all of the ingredients into your cocktail shaker and shake well with ice.
Pour through a cocktail strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
Optionally, garnish with a lime wedge or with edible flowers like I did.
Notes
This cocktail was created by Joaquín Simó, Death & Co, New York.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 6
- Sugar: 16.1 g
- Sodium: 0.8 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.7 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cocktail, naked and famous cocktail
Faye says
Cool drink. Disclaimer needed.
Asha says
Thanks, haha thought I'd add it just in case
Lacey says
Whoa 'pack a punch' indeed. It's good.
Asha says
Thanks!
Alexa says
Insanely good.
Asha says
Thanks!
Kelly says
Terrific drink
Asha says
Thank you!
Tom says
I enjoyed this drink immensely.
Asha says
Thanks!
Dana says
Strong flavours. It's really good.
Asha says
Thanks!
Jake says
Having friends visit was a good excuse to try a new drink. This one is really great tasting.
I know I will enjoy this cocktail after working all day too.
Asha says
Thanks so much for the review 🙂
Diana says
This drink is a great pick-me-up after a long day. Love it.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Bev says
Love this drink. Thanks.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Ian says
Very good drink.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Gina says
Enjoyed every sip.
Asha says
That's great, thank you 🙂
Nicole says
Thanks. This drink is a keeper.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Wade says
Rough day. Hope this lives up to its reputation. Tastes good.
Asha says
Thanks, hope it made your day a little bit better!
Katie says
Really enjoyed this drink. Thanks.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Olivia and Todd says
My boyfriend and i both give this drink the 'thumbs up'.
Asha says
Thanks you two 😀
Nicole says
Thanks for this. A great way to start a weekend. It's a keeper too!
Asha says
Thanks for the review! 🙂
Hollie says
Great tasting drink.
Asha says
Thanks!
Missy says
Nice drink. Thanks.
Asha says
Thanks for the review 🙂