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Cocktail History
The Spaghetti Western is a modern cocktail that was created in 2011 by Jessica Gonzalez at Death & Company in New York City, New York. Described as a variation of Death & Company’s famous Oaxaca Old Fashioned, this version of the recipe calls for tequila and mezcal as the base spirits plus some bitters for complexity, but it also adds Amaro Nonino, a citrus-forward Italian liqueur and the “spaghetti” noted in the drink’s name.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Tequila Reposado: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with fermented blue agave and yeast, which are distilled and then briefly aged to develop a balanced, slightly oaky flavor.
Mezcal: This is a spirit made in Mexico with fermented agave and yeast, which are distilled after roasting agave hearts in underground pits to develop a smoky, complex flavor.
Amaro Nonino Quintessentia: This is a liqueur made in Italy with a blend of herbs, roots, citrus, and spices, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended, infused, and aged to develop a bittersweet, aromatic flavor.
Orange Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with orange peels, herbs, spices, botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop a slightly bitter citrus flavor.
Grapefruit Twist: This is the peel of a grapefruit that has been twisted into a corkscrew 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.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. I used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. I used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. I used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Vibrant orange gold hue
• Aroma: Strong grapefruit with notes of agave’s earthiness
• Taste: Strong, dry taste of tequila followed by a unique combination of citrus and smoky mezcal
• Finish: Herbal twinge with amaro bitterness
Kendall’s Take
“The Spaghetti Western is a cocktail that fully embraces a bold, spirits-forward style. Mezcal takes center stage, supported by other strong ingredients that give the drink its distinctive character. It’s the kind of recipe that showcases the depth and intensity mezcal can bring to a cocktail. For anyone who enjoys robust, smoky drinks, I can just about guarantee this one will make a memorable impression.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was found in the book Mezcal + Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave by Robert Simonson.
