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Cocktail History
The Latin Trifecta is a modern cocktail that was created by Jamie Bordreau at Canon Whiskey & Bitters Emporium in Seattle, Washington. He came up with the drink to pay homage to the romance language countries, which is why he added the complexity of bitter Cynar from Italy to its two base spirits: tequila, which is made in Mexico, and sherry, a fortified wine from Spain. He then paired them all with sweet orange flavors for balance.
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. We used Arette Tequila Reposado because it has a light and peppery flavor. For a low-proof version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Reserva Spirit in place of the tequila.
Cynar: This is a liqueur made in Italy with artichokes, herbs, spices, sugar, and alcohol.
Sherry: This is a type of fortified wine made in Spain with palomino grapes. We used Sheffield Cellars Very Dry Sherry because it has a dry and rich wine flavor. For a low-proof version of this drink, try Non-Alcoholic Sherry Flavoring in place of the sherry.
Orange Bitters: This is a spirit made with oranges, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Scrappy’s Bitters Orange Bitters because they offer the classic taste of citrus-flavored bitters. For a low-proof version of this drink, try All The Bitter Non-Alcoholic Orange Bitters in place of the bitters.
Orange Peel: This the peel of an orange that has been cut into a strip.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We 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. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We 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. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. We used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Tasting Notes
The Latin Trifecta features the noticeable aroma of orange from the flamed expression, a fairly muted initial taste with just a quiet hint of the Cynar’s sweetness, followed by an explosion of flavors in the back of the mouth and on the swallow.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: Although a little too bitter for Kendall because she’d never tried Cynar, Alex thought this was a very tasty drink that’s great for slow, contemplative sipping. It also does a good job of representing the three countries of origin in taste and feeling. If you’re a fan of Cynar, it’s definitely worth giving the Latin Trifecta a try.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
Add tequila, Cynar, sherry, orange bitters, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Flame orange peel and add to glass as garnish.
Ingredients
Directions
Add tequila, Cynar, sherry, orange bitters, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Flame orange peel and add to glass as garnish.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Reserva Spirit in place of the tequila, Non-Alcoholic Sherry Flavoring in place of the sherry, and All The Bitter Non-Alcoholic Orange Bitters in place of the bitters to try a low-proof version of this drink.
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More Cynar Cocktails
If you like this cocktail recipe, here are a few others made with Cynar we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Mexican Tricycle: A mezcal cocktail made with Cynar, hard cider, and a lime wheel
Boo Radley: A bourbon cocktail made with Cynar, cherry liqueur, a lemon peel, and an orange peel
Trident: An aquavit and sherry cocktail made with Cynar, peach bitters, and a lemon peel
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