Pacific Standard cocktail recipe
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass. Stir for 30 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe. Flame an orange peel over the drink, drop it in as garnish, and serve immediately.
When winter evenings call for something warm and contemplative, the Pacific Standard cocktail answers with sophistication and depth. This stirred tequila drink captures the essence of a California sunset, offering the perfect companion for those relaxed moments before dinner.
Created as a tequila riff on the classic Negroni, the Pacific Standard drink combines the clean agave notes of tequila Olmeca Altos Plata with the bittersweet complexity of Aperol, the rich herbaceous character of Carpano Antica vermouth, and a touch of Green Chartreuse for an intriguing finish.
This cocktail proves that tequila shines just as brightly in stirred cocktails as it does in shaken drinks, making it an ideal choice for those cooler months when you want something contemplative and warming.
Key ingredients for a Pacific Standard drink
The beauty of this Pacific Standard recipe lies in its carefully balanced combination of premium ingredients that work together to create layers of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to craft this exceptional winter cocktail:
- 45 ml / 1 1/2 parts of tequila Olmeca Altos Plata
- 30 ml / 1 part of Aperol
- 23 ml / 3/4 parts of Carpano Antica
- 1 barspoon of Green Chartreuse
- Orange peel for garnish
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the cocktail’s complex profile. The tequila Olmeca Altos Plata provides a smooth agave foundation with its traditional tahona-milled character, while Aperol brings bright citrus and gentle bitterness.
Carpano Antica adds rich vanilla and spice notes, and the Green Chartreuse contributes an herbal mystique that ties everything together beautifully.
How to make a Pacific Standard cocktail
Crafting this stirred cocktail requires patience and proper technique, but the results are absolutely worth the effort. Follow these steps to create your perfect Pacific Standard drink:
Pour in your mixing glass the tequila Olmeca Altos Plata, followed by the Aperol and Carpano Antica. Add the barspoon of Green Chartreuse last. Using a bar spoon, stir the mixture gently for about 30 seconds until the outside of the mixing glass feels cold to the touch. This stirring method ensures proper dilution while maintaining the cocktail’s silky texture.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass. To prepare your garnish, take a wide piece of orange peel and express the oils over the drink by holding it over a flame for just a moment before squeezing. This flaming technique releases aromatic oils that add an extra dimension to your Pacific Standard cocktail. Drop the flamed peel into the glass and serve immediately.
Tips for your Pacific Standard recipe
Getting the proportions right is essential for this cocktail’s success. The tequila should remain the star while the modifiers complement rather than overpower it. If you find the drink too bitter, reduce the Aperol slightly. If it feels too sweet, add an extra dash of Green Chartreuse to bring more herbal complexity.
Temperature is also critical—make sure your coupe glass is properly chilled before straining, as this cocktail should be served ice-cold. Finally, don’t rush the stirring process. Proper dilution through patient stirring creates the smooth, velvety texture that makes this drink special.
Consider the season when serving this cocktail. As a winter drink, the Pacific Standard shines during those cooler months when stirred, spirit-forward cocktails feel most appropriate. The combination of warming alcohol and bitter-herbal notes makes it perfect for sipping slowly during intimate gatherings or quiet evenings at home.
If you want to continue researching other drinks to practice these tips, check out our best cocktail recipes and get inspired.
Food pairings for your winter cocktail
The Pacific Standard cocktail’s bitter-sweet profile and herbal complexity make it an outstanding aperitif. Serve it before dinner with light appetizers that won’t overwhelm its nuanced flavors. Aged cheeses like manchego or aged cheddar pair beautifully with the drink’s richness. Charcuterie boards featuring prosciutto, salami, and olives complement the cocktail’s savory-bitter notes perfectly.
For more substantial pairings, consider roasted nuts with sea salt, smoked almonds, or marinated vegetables. The cocktail’s citrus elements also work well with seafood appetizers like ceviche or oysters. If you’re planning a winter dinner party, serve the Pacific Standard alongside bruschetta topped with roasted red peppers or mushroom crostini.
Why Olmeca Altos is the suitable tequila for your cocktails
Tequila Olmeca Altos Plata stands out as the ideal choice for the Pacific Standard cocktail due to its exceptional quality and traditional production methods. Made in Los Altos, the highlands of Jalisco, this tequila is crafted using time-honored techniques including tahona stone milling, which extracts deeper, more complex agave flavors than modern industrial processes.
The Plata expression offers a remarkably smooth profile with pronounced cooked agave notes, subtle citrus, and a hint of minerality that plays perfectly with the cocktail’s other ingredients. Its clean finish doesn’t compete with the Aperol, vermouth, and Chartreuse but instead provides a sturdy foundation that allows those flavors to shine.
The Pacific Standard cocktail is more than just a winter drink—it’s an experience that transforms any quiet evening into something memorable. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day, hosting an intimate dinner party, or simply exploring the versatility of tequila in stirred cocktails, this recipe delivers sophistication and warmth in every sip.
