Spaghetti Western

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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 blue agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged from two to twelve months. I used Arette Tequila Reposado.

Mezcal: This is a spirit made in Mexico with agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged in an underground pit lined with wood. I used Ilegal Mezcal Joven.

Amaro Nonino Quintessentia: This is a bitter liqueur made in Italy with grappa, fruits, herbs, botanicals, and alcohol.

Orange Bitters: This is a food product made with oranges, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Angostura Orange Bitters.

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.

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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 Rating: ⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “Woof, I had one sip of this recipe and knew it was much too boozy and serious for me. The alcoholic ingredients are harsh as is and aren’t really muted by any others like they have been in other mezcal recipes I’ve tried. I definitely winced and shivered as I swallowed, so my palate just isn’t develop enough to enjoy a drink like this yet. Maybe in another year or two I’ll enjoy another Spaghetti Western!”

Recipe

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

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 2024-10-14.