Tuxedo

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What Is a Tuxedo Cocktail?

The Tuxedo is an elegant, stirred gin cocktail from the late nineteenth century, a close relative of the martini with a few extra flourishes. The most popular version, known as the Tuxedo No. 2, combines Old Tom gin and dry vermouth with a small amount of maraschino liqueur, a rinse of absinthe and a couple of dashes of orange bitters. It's served in a chilled coupe with a cherry and a lemon twist.

The result is a drink that's dry and crisp like a martini but more aromatic and complex, with hints of cherry, anise and citrus. It's as sophisticated as its name suggests.

A Brief History of the Tuxedo

Tuxedo Park, New York

The Tuxedo cocktail is named after Tuxedo Park, an exclusive private community in New York State founded in 1886 as a retreat for wealthy New Yorkers. The Tuxedo Club, its social center, is also famous for giving its name to the tuxedo dinner jacket, which members adopted as a more relaxed alternative to formal tailcoats. The cocktail likely originated at the club or among its members in the late 1800s.

Many Versions

Early versions of the Tuxedo appear in several nineteenth-century bar books, including Harry Johnson's influential Bartender's Manual. Recipes varied widely; some used sherry, some used dry vermouth, and some called for different gins. The version most bars make today comes from Harry Craddock's 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, where it's listed as the Tuxedo No. 2. Difford's Guide has an excellent article on the Tuxedo cocktail and its many variations, and you can find more on the Tuxedo's Wikipedia page.

Flavor Profile and What to Expect

The Tuxedo is crisp, dry and aromatic. Gin and dry vermouth form a martini-like base, clean and botanical with a light herbal note from the vermouth. The maraschino adds a gentle, nutty cherry sweetness that rounds out the edges, while the absinthe rinse contributes a whisper of anise and herbs on the nose. Orange bitters add brightness and tie everything together. It's a layered, elegant drink that changes as you sip it.

Choosing Your Ingredients

Old Tom or London Dry Gin?

Old Tom gin is slightly sweeter and rounder than London dry and was the gin of choice when the Tuxedo was created. It gives a softer, more historically accurate drink. A London dry gin makes the Tuxedo crisper and drier, closer to a modern martini. Both are delicious.

Absinthe

Only a small amount of absinthe is needed. Pour a few drops into the chilled glass, swirl to coat the inside, and discard the excess. This gives the drink an aromatic anise note without overpowering it. If you don't have absinthe, a pastis like Pernod works too.

Vermouth

Use a good, fresh dry vermouth. Some modern bartenders add a little blanc (bianco) vermouth or fino sherry for extra depth, echoing the drink's older recipes.

How to Make a Tuxedo

Rinse a chilled coupe with absinthe and discard the excess. Stir the gin, dry vermouth, maraschino and orange bitters with plenty of ice for 20 to 30 seconds, until very cold, then strain into the prepared glass. Like a martini, the Tuxedo should always be stirred to keep it clear and silky. Our guide on proper cocktail techniques explains why.

Tuxedo No. 1 vs. Tuxedo No. 2

Because so many different Tuxedo recipes were printed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, bartenders often get confused by the numbering. In the Savoy Cocktail Book, the Tuxedo No. 1 is a simpler drink of gin, dry vermouth, a little maraschino, absinthe and orange bitters, garnished with a cherry. The Tuxedo No. 2 is very similar but adds a lemon twist and sometimes calls for slightly different proportions. Older versions from the 1880s even used sherry in place of vermouth, giving a nuttier, more oxidized flavor. Today most bars simply call their version "the Tuxedo," and the recipe here follows the popular modern take on No. 2. Feel free to experiment: a half-and-half mix of dry vermouth and fino sherry makes a fascinating, savory variation.

Popular Variations and Related Drinks

If you enjoy the Tuxedo, try the 50/50 Martini or the Vesper for other martini variations. For more maraschino, there's the floral Aviation and the bold Last Word. Absinthe fans should try the Sazerac, which also uses an absinthe rinse, and the Absinthe Cocktail.

How to Serve a Tuxedo

Serve the Tuxedo straight up in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. The classic garnish is a cocktail cherry and a lemon twist. Express the twist over the drink to release its oils before adding it.

Food Pairings and Occasions

As its name suggests, the Tuxedo is perfect for formal occasions: black-tie events, holiday parties, New Year's Eve and elegant dinners. It's an excellent aperitif and pairs well with oysters, smoked salmon, caviar, olives, salted almonds and other light, salty bites.

Why People Love the Tuxedo

The Tuxedo offers everything a martini lover enjoys, with extra complexity and a fascinating history. It's elegant, balanced and full of subtle flavors, and it's a great way to explore the world of nineteenth-century gin cocktails. For a precise modern spec, see Difford's Guide's Tuxedo recipe, and explore our best gin cocktails to make at home.