How to make a Feliz Martini cocktail

Feliz Martini cocktail: a warming winter delight

The Feliz Martini is a standout winter serve that offers comfort without feeling heavy on the palate. This drink was specifically developed to highlight the warming qualities of Olmeca Altos Plata through a clean, minimalist presentation. The name itself (Feliz, meaning “happy” in Spanish) perfectly mirrors the joyful simplicity of this cocktail recipe.

Originally created at the award-winning Happiness Forgets bar in London, this straightforward recipe demonstrates how beautifully tequila performs in a sophisticated martini-style serve. Shifting away from traditional vodka or gin bases, the Feliz Martini highlights the delicate floral undertones and cooked agave character of premium tequila, balanced with a measured touch of Cocchi Americano and Amontillado sherry.

Whether you are a seasoned mixologist or just beginning your journey into home cocktails, this recipe delivers a refined result with minimal fuss, making it the perfect choice for those cooler evenings when you crave something both warming and elegant.

The craft of building a Feliz Martini

The Feliz Martini is crafted using a building technique that sets it apart from typical shaken serves, making it incredibly accessible for the home bartender. To “build” a cocktail involves adding ingredients directly into the mixing glass in a specific order, allowing for a more controlled and gentle marriage of flavours.

Add each component sequentially: start with the tequila, follow with the Cocchi Americano, and finish with those three essential dashes of Amontillado sherry. The subsequent stirring process is where the drink truly comes together. Using a bar spoon, maintain a smooth, circular motion against the inside of the glass for about 30 seconds. Once the mixing glass feels cold to the touch, you will know that the ideal dilution and temperature have been achieved.

The final step of straining the liquid into a coupette without ice is a deliberate choice: it ensures the cooked agave aromatics of Olmeca Altos Plata can fully engage your senses with every sip. This “naked” serve ensures that nothing distracts from the pure expression of the tequila’s character.

Looking to expand your repertoire? Browse our best cocktail recipes to discover more creative serves featuring Olmeca Altos Plata throughout the year.

Glassware and presentation: why details matter

Selecting the appropriate glassware transforms the Feliz Martini from a simple serve into a truly memorable experience. The coupette, that iconic broad-bowled stemmed glass, is the quintessential vessel for this recipe. Its wide surface area encourages the aromatic compounds of the tequila to reach the nose before each sip, significantly enhancing the tasting experience.

To elevate the serve, chill your coupette in the freezer for 15 minutes beforehand, or fill it with ice water while you mix the drink. A properly chilled glass maintains the martini at its optimum temperature for longer, which is vital when serving a drink without ice.

The presentation here is intentionally understated: no garnish, no ice, just the crystal-clear liquid in an elegant glass. This minimalist approach focuses all attention on the quality of the ingredients, especially the tequila. The clarity and pale golden hue of the drink showcase the purity of Olmeca Altos Plata, whilst the absence of garnish ensures every aroma stems directly from the spirit.

When hosting, this clean presentation conveys a sense of sophistication and mastery of the craft. If you enjoy experimenting with tequila-based martini variations, you might also find the Mexican Chocolate Martini a rewarding choice, offering a richer and more indulgent take on the category.

Why Olmeca Altos Plata makes this cocktail exceptional

The success of a Feliz Martini rests entirely on the quality of its base spirit, which makes Olmeca Altos Plata the definitive choice for this serve. Produced in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico, this tequila follows a traditional production method that employs Tahona stone wheels to crush the cooked agave.

This artisanal approach extracts the most nuanced floral notes and retains the agave’s natural sweetness, resulting in a tequila of exceptional smoothness and depth. In a cocktail featuring only three ingredients and no garnish to hide behind, every facet of the spirit is on display. The clean finish of this tequila ensures the drink remains perfectly balanced from the first sip to the last.

The Feliz Martini proves that world-class cocktails do not require complex techniques or exhaustive ingredient lists. With just three premium components, a mixing glass, and a few moments of care, you can create a sophisticated winter serve that celebrates the true essence of Olmeca Altos Plata.

Whether you are mixing this for a quiet night in or serving friends who want to explore tequila beyond the usual classics, the Feliz Martini delivers a touch of happiness in every glass.