The Naked and Famous is a modern, vibrant, and beautifully balanced cocktail that brings together smoky mezcal, the honeyed herbal character of yellow Chartreuse, the bittersweet orange notes of Aperol, and fresh lemon juice. Its striking color and distinctive flavor profile have quickly made it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts. Although it is a relatively new creation and relies on fairly premium ingredients, it has already earned a place on the International Bartenders Association’s list. So, even if it has not yet become a household name everywhere, it has clearly proven itself as an outstanding cocktail.
Story
The Naked and Famous cocktail was created by Joaquín Simó in 2011 at Death & Co. in New York. He based the recipe on the modern classic Paper Plane, but swapped the bourbon for mezcal and replaced the Amaro Nonino with yellow Chartreuse. As a result, he created a vibrant, distinctive, and perfectly balanced drink that soon took craft cocktail bars around the world by storm.
Ingredients
¾ oz (22.5 ml) mezcal
¾ oz (22.5 ml) yellow Chartreuse
¾ oz (22.5 ml) Aperol
¾ oz (22.5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
How to Make a Naked and Famous Cocktail
Combine all the ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds to chill the drink properly and bring the flavors together. Then strain into a well-chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
Serving and Garnish
The Naked and Famous cocktail is usually served without garnish in a coupe glass to highlight its vivid color and clean appearance. However, if you would like to add a subtle visual touch, a thin lime wedge pairs nicely with the drink.
Calorie Content
One serving of a Naked and Famous cocktail contains approximately 180 calories, mostly from the alcohol and sugar content of the liqueurs. Still, thanks to its bold yet balanced flavor profile, every sip feels worth it.