The Official Eclipse Cocktail: Inside the Cherry and Aperol-Twisted Tequila Classic
(Photo: Julianna Arjes/Pexels)
When you imagine an “Eclipse” cocktail, the first concept that may pop to mind is a combination of midnight black and sunshine yellow — maybe banana liqueur and coffee, or limoncello and fernet. Perhaps, it could also be a cocktail so potent that it practically blacks out the sun. Think Long Island Iced Tea, Jungle Juice or a straight shot of absinthe.
The best-known Eclipse cocktail, invented by Leo Robitzchek of New York’s NoMad Bar, takes the concept in a different direction. Bearing a deep crimson hue, the drink pays homage to the moon’s bloodied color during particularly cloudy lunar eclipses.
Just like the eclipse itself, the cocktail is a collision of unlikely forces.
A combination of aged tequila and mezcal defines this within the realm of classic agave spirits cocktails, drinks that are typically paired with zesty flavors of lime, orange or grapefruit. While the Eclipse is certainly tart and citrus-forward, it exchanges those tried-and-true influences for darkened flavors of cherry liqueur and Aperol.
The end result doesn’t lend itself well to comparisons. Admittedly, there are plenty of Aperol and agave cocktails on the market; modern classics like the Sierra Madre, Aperol Margarita and El Chipilo come to mind.
Tequila and cherry, however, is a virtually unheard-of pairing. Splashed up with smoky mezcal and a healthy dose of lemon juice, the recipe veers away from its potentially medicinal vibe in favor of big bittersweet punches of flavor. If you’re looking to celebrate the 2024 solar eclipse in style, look no further than this elegant concoction:
The Eclipse
Ingredients
- 1 oz Añejo Tequila
- 3/4 oz Aperol
- 3/4 oz Lemon Juice
- 3/4 oz Cherry Liqueur
- 1/4 oz Mezcal
Directions
- Add tequila, Aperol, lemon juice and cherry liqueur into a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, 20-30 seconds.
- Double strain into a glass over ice.
- Gently pouring from the side, float mezcal on top.
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