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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.
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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.
![Mezcal and Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave [A Cocktail Recipe Book]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41J8UixQqLL._SL75_.jpg)
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-07-13.
Rosalita
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.
Ingredients
Method
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Pour salt onto a plate, rub outer rim of a lowball glass with lime rind, and roll glass in salt until coated.
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Add tequila, lime juice, agave syrup, Amaro Montenegro, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into salt-rimmed lowball glass.
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Garnish with lime slice.
