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Mezcal · Shaken
The Naked and Famous consists of four equal parts: mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, and lime juice. It tastes smoky, bitter, and fresh all at once. Little liquid ends up in the glass, but there's a whole lot of flavor.
As of: · Modern bars, 2011
Smoke is the first thing you notice. It comes from the mezcal and evokes a campfire. Right after that comes the lime with clear acidity. Aperol brings a bittersweet orange note, while the yellow Chartreuse contributes herbs and sweetness. Because all four parts are equal in size, none pushes to the front. The drink is short and potent: three of the four parts are alcohol. Still, it feels fresh, since the lime keeps everything lively. In the finish, smoke and bitterness remain.
The Naked and Famous isn't for beginners. Smoke and bitterness are bold, and you'll need to get used to them first. If you already like mezcal or bitter aperitifs, you'll love this one. Everyone else should try a small amount first. It suits before a meal or as a short, invigorating drink in the evening. For casual sipping, it's too intense.
What matters
Use yellow Chartreuse, not green. The green is stronger and noticeably more herbal; it would overpower the other three parts, even though all are dosed equally. Measure precisely, since with the four-parts principle, every error stands out. Shake hard with plenty of ice and strain without the shaken ice into the pre-chilled coupe.
Joaquín Simó created the Naked and Famous in 2011. The drink became known through the modern international bar scene, especially via Death & Co in New York. Its build follows an old pattern: four equal parts, just like older classics. What's new is the direction that mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, and Aperol take it in: smoky and bittersweet at once. The name is a nod to pop music. The four-parts principle makes the recipe easy to remember and easy to recreate.
In the same direction
A smoky sour: mezcal meets strong Jamaican rum, joined by lime, sugar, and the spiced liqueur falernum. If you like, shake in a little egg white for a fine foam cap.
Zum RezeptGin and lemon form the backbone, while Maraschino and a bar spoon of Crème de Violette add fragrance on top. The Aviation is a clear, sour cocktail with a pale, faintly bluish color.
Zum RezeptGin, honey and citrus: in the Bee's Knees, honey syrup does most of the sweetening; the orange juice also brings natural sugar along. This version adds orange juice alongside lemon, tasting softer and fruitier as a result.
Zum Rezept