Rosalita

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Cocktail History

The Rosalita is a modern cocktail that was created in 2015 by Dylan O’Brien at his bar Prizefighter in Emeryville, California. Named for a Bruce Springsteen song, it takes the classic lime Margarita that calls for tequila, lime, simple syrup, and a salted rim, and it adds in Amaro Montenegro instead of the usual orange liqueur.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Tequila Reposado: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with blue agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged from two to twelve months. I used Casamigos Tequila Reposado.

Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. I used freshly squeezed lime juice.

Agave Syrup: This is a sweetener that is made from the fluid inside agave plants. I made mine using this stovetop recipe.

Amaro Montenegro: This is a liqueur made in Italy with a secret blend of forty botanicals, spices, sugar, and alcohol.

Salt: This is a mineral. I used Maldon Sea Salt Flakes.

Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Faint brown-ish gold color with an ombré effect

• Aroma: Agave and citrus

• Taste: Noticeable tequila, lime, sugar, and salt with a slightly bitter note

• Finish: Herbs, spices and tangy lime

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “I admit, I never would’ve thought to add an amaro to a Margarita, but wow. That one change makes a completely different drink that feels familiar but tastes much more muted than the usual lip-puckering tartness you typically get from the template. I am definitely going to revisit the Rosalita because it is a delight!”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Mezcal + Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave by Robert Simonson.