The Matador

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 22,5 ml Reposado Tequila
- 22,5 ml Blanc Vermouth
- 22,5 ml Orange Curaçao
- 30 ml Pineapple Juice
- 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 Dash Angostura Bitters

GARNISH:
- Pineapple Spears
- Lime Twist

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with some pineapple spears and a lime twist.

Cocktail author: this take on The Matador has been created by Anders Erickson.

There are quite a few Matador recipes from different eras and bartenders floating around, but in the end, I have settled on this particular take by Anders Erickson. It seemed to blend tequila and tropical tiki traditions quite well together with these intriguing specs.

I’m not sure I can call this a tequila-based cocktail when tequila, vermouth and curaçao are mixed in equal parts, but it is by far the most noticeable of the three with the notes of agave and oak. Subtle herbal tones are then blended in by the blanc vermouth, while orange curaçao adds a layer of aged cognac and orange elevating complexity of the cocktail. Pineapple juice and Angostura bitters are the staples of classic tiki cocktails working wonders with reposado tequila and curaçao taking cocktail in the tropical direction. Final addition of the lime juice helps with the balance by providing some delicious tartness so familiar in the tropical drinks.

The Matador is an interesting and delicious cocktail: sweet yet full of complexity and brightness. In other words, a perfect cocktail to enjoy when spring is about to fully take off.

Source material:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aV3DzDfW_A