La Rosita recipe
This refined tequila cocktail balances reposado warmth with bittersweet herbal aperitif complexity.
Method: Stir and strain ·
Glass: Chilled rocks glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Reposado tequila (High 100% agave)
- 0.5 oz Sweet vermouth (Quality red vermouth)
- 0.5 oz Dry vermouth (Chilled dry white vermouth)
- 0.5 oz Campari (Italian bitter aperitivo)
- 1 dash Angostura bitters (Aromatic bitters)
How to make a La Rosita
- Add reposado tequila, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, Campari, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir briskly for thirty seconds to thoroughly chill and dilute the mixture.
- Strain the liquid into a chilled rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
- Express the oils from an orange peel over the surface of the drink.
- Garnish the glass with the twisted orange peel.
Garnish
Express an orange peel over the glass and drop it in.
Pro tip
Using equal parts sweet and dry vermouth tempers the heavy sweetness of standard Negroni riffs. Keep your vermouth refrigerated to preserve the delicate botanical notes.
History of the La Rosita
Created in the 1970s by bartender Mario Cabo at Mexico City's La Cueva de los Duendes, La Rosita remained largely obscure until cocktail historian Gary Regan championed the recipe in the mid-2000s. While frequently credited as a direct Mexican spin on the classic Negroni, some cocktail historians suggest earlier informal iterations existed in borderland bars. By substituting gin with reposado tequila and splitting the vermouth base between sweet and dry styles, the drink achieves an intricate botanical depth that bridges classic European aperitivo traditions with Mexican agave heritage.
Flavour profile
Bitter, Herbal, Agave, Complex
Variations
- Mezcal Rosita — Substitute reposado tequila with artisanal espadin mezcal for a smoky, earthy profile.
- Extra Añejo Rosita — Use extra añejo tequila and add an extra dash of orange bitters for deeper oak richness.
Practise making the La Rosita in the free Virtual Bar game.