Naked and Famous
Smoky mezcal, bittersweet Aperol, herbal Yellow Chartreuse and fresh lime come together in equal parts. Bright, complex and beautifully balanced, the Naked and Famous is one of the best-known modern mezcal cocktails.
Recept na Naked and Famous
- Mezcal 22.5 ml
- Yellow Chartreuse 22.5 ml
- Aperol 22.5 ml
- Lime juice 22.5 ml
- Ice, for shaking 150 g
Make it properly
- Chill a coupe glass.
- Add the mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
- Add 150 g ice.
- Shake firmly for around 10–12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Fine strain into the chilled coupe.
- Serve immediately without ice or garnish.
WHAT MAKES A NAKED AND FAMOUS?
The Naked and Famous sits somewhere between a sour, an aperitivo cocktail and an herbal agave drink. Despite containing two liqueurs, it shouldn't taste excessively sweet.
Its structure was inspired by two other equal-parts cocktails: the Last Word and Paper Plane. Creator Joaquín Simó has described it as a combination of those two ideas, replacing gin with mezcal and bringing together Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and lime.
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NAKED AND FAMOUS RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
The Naked and Famous follows an unusually simple formula: four ingredients in exactly equal proportions. What makes it interesting is how different those four ingredients are. Mezcal provides smoke and roasted agave, Yellow Chartreuse contributes sweet herbal complexity, Aperol brings orange and gentle bitterness, and fresh lime supplies the acidity that pulls everything together. There is no syrup, garnish or additional mixer to hide behind, so accurate measuring and proper dilution make a noticeable difference.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A NAKED AND FAMOUS
Choose a mezcal with enough roasted agave and smoky character to remain noticeable beside the two liqueurs. Del Maguey VIDA Mezcal Clásico is a practical choice for mixing and gives the cocktail a clearly defined mezcal base.
Yellow Chartreuse is essential here. It is softer and sweeter than Green Chartreuse, with the herbal character needed for the recipe without overwhelming the mezcal.
Aperol contributes bittersweet orange and a lighter bitter profile than Campari. Finish with freshly squeezed lime juice for the acidity and freshness that balances the drink.
HOW TO BALANCE A NAKED AND FAMOUS
Keep the proportions equal. Increasing the mezcal can make the drink overly smoky, while too much Chartreuse quickly pushes it towards herbal sweetness.
Fresh lime is particularly important. Its acidity has to balance both the Yellow Chartreuse and Aperol, so bottled or overly mild lime juice can leave the cocktail tasting flat.
Dilution is the final part of the balance. Shake firmly with plenty of cold ice and strain as soon as the cocktail is properly chilled.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAKED AND FAMOUS
Bartender Joaquín Simó created the Naked and Famous at Death & Co. in New York City in 2011. The drink takes inspiration from the equal-parts structure of the Last Word and Sam Ross's Paper Plane. Liquor.com
The original version used Del Maguey Chichicapa, chosen because Simó wanted a strongly flavoured mezcal capable of standing up to the other ingredients. He paired it with the gentler Yellow Chartreuse and Aperol rather than the more intense Green Chartreuse and Campari.
The cocktail has since become established as a modern classic and is now included on the IBA's official cocktail list.
HOW TO MAKE IT
This is a straightforward shaken cocktail, but don't under-shake it. The drink needs enough dilution to integrate the mezcal and liqueurs with the sharp fresh lime.
Shake with 150 g ice for around 10–12 seconds, then fine strain. There is no need for serving ice.
SERVE IT PROPERLY
Serve the Naked and Famous straight up in a chilled coupe glass.
No garnish is necessary. The current IBA specification also lists no garnish, keeping the presentation deliberately clean.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
- Del Maguey VIDA Mezcal Clásico 42% Vol. 0.7 L
- Chartreuse Yellow 40% Vol. 0.7 L
- Aperol
- Fresh Lime Juice
TIPS & VARIATIONS
Use fresh lime. With only four ingredients, the quality of the citrus is immediately noticeable.
Don't substitute Green Chartreuse directly. It is more intense and changes the balance considerably.
Try a smokier mezcal. A more assertive mezcal moves the drink closer to the character of Simó's original version, which used Del Maguey Chichicapa. Liquor.com
Keep it equal. The simple 1:1:1:1 ratio is part of what defines the cocktail.
Questions about the Naked and Famous
What is in a Naked and Famous cocktail?
A Naked and Famous contains equal parts mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and fresh lime juice.
Is the Naked and Famous very smoky?
It has a noticeable smoky agave character, but Aperol, Yellow Chartreuse and lime balance the mezcal. The exact intensity depends heavily on the mezcal used.
Can I use Green Chartreuse instead of Yellow Chartreuse?
You can make a variation with it, but it won't have the same balance as a classic Naked and Famous. Green Chartreuse is considerably more assertive, while the original recipe specifically uses Yellow Chartreuse.
Does the Naked and Famous need a garnish?
No. It is traditionally served without a garnish, and the current IBA specification also lists no garnish.
How much do I need for a group?
Choose 6, 12, 24 or 48 cocktails and the quantities can be calculated from the recipe. Each cocktail requires 22.5 ml each of mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and fresh lime juice.
Is the Naked and Famous an official IBA cocktail?
Yes. The Naked and Famous is currently included in the International Bartenders Association's official list as a New Era cocktail. See the IBA's official Naked and Famous recipe for the official specification.