El Jefe means “the boss” in Spanish, and after trying a cocktail by this name at Anejo this week, I have to say it’s an apt moniker. El Jefe is basically a tequila Manhattan whose commanding, spirit-forward flavour is softened somewhat with a touch of sweet agave nectar. The cherry on top of this delectable drink is, literally, a tequila-soaked cherry. Oh, El Jefe, you had me at “hola.”
El Jefe is a commanding cocktail from Anejo that will have you under its spell in no time.
El Jefe
- 1-1/2 oz Cazadores Reposado
- 1/2 oz Cinzanno Rosso
- 1 tsp agave nectar
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Flamed orange peel and tequila cherry garnish
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with a swath of orange peel. Add ice and stir until volume has nearly doubled. Strain into an old fashioned glass over fresh ice, and garnish.
Note: If you’re a bit of a cocktail nerd you can try barrel aging your own combo of tequila and vermouth. Here’s how: Prime a cask with cherry whiskey for 90 days. Pour out the whiskey and pour in three parts tequila and one part red vermouth and age for another 90 days. Then, just add agave nectar and bitters.
— Recipe courtesy Jeff Hines, Anejo
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