Siesta
When a Daiquiri meets a Margarita only good things can happen. This is the Siesta.
Prep time : 2 minutes
Serves : 2
Strength : Moderate
The Siesta is a vibrant tequila cocktail that sits somewhere between a Margarita and a Hemingway Daiquiri. Created by bartender Katie Stipe in 2006 at New York City's Flatiron Lounge, it combines blanco tequila with grapefruit, lime and Campari for a drink that's simultaneously citrusy, tart, lightly sweet and pleasantly bitter.
Flavour Profile
The blanco tequila provides the clean, distinctive agave foundation, while fresh grapefruit and lime bring a sharp citrus acidity. The simple syrup softens those tart flavours and gives the drink a smooth sweetness, while Campari contributes a subtle bitter note and its characteristic red-orange colour.
The result is considerably more complex than a straightforward Margarita, with the bitterness of Campari appearing towards the finish rather than overpowering the drink.
The Story Behind the Siesta
Katie Stipe created the Siesta as a riff on the Hemingway Daiquiri, replacing its white rum with blanco tequila and its maraschino liqueur with Campari. The addition of lime and the tequila's agave character also gives the cocktail a natural connection to the Margarita.
Since its creation, the Siesta has become a modern tequila cocktail and is often used as an introduction to more bitter flavours for drinkers who want to venture beyond the classic Margarita.
Final Thoughts
The Siesta is a fantastic choice when you want something fresh, tart and refreshing with a little extra complexity. It's approachable enough for a summer afternoon but interesting enough to hold its own alongside more sophisticated cocktails.
Serve it chilled in a coupe with a grapefruit twist and you've got a beautifully vibrant drink that's just as enjoyable to photograph as it is to drink.
Tip: If you prefer a more bitter and Campari-forward Siesta, the creator suggests reducing the simple syrup to ½ oz (15ml) and increasing the Campari to ½ oz (15ml).
Siesta Ingredients
1½ oz (45ml) Blanco Tequila
½ oz (15ml) Fresh Grapefruit Juice
¾ oz (22.5ml) Fresh Lime Juice
¾ oz (22.5ml) Simple Syrup
¼ oz (7.5ml) Campari
Grapefruit peel, to garnish
Preparation
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and Campari.
Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.
Fine-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Express a piece of grapefruit peel over the surface of the drink to release its oils, then use it as the garnish.
Comments