We here at Wingtip strive to do things in a certain traditional way. We make Manhattans the way they have always been made. We make Old Fashioneds the old fashioned way. We drink beer from mugs and whisky from Glencairn glasses.

So when I was tasked with putting the Tuxedo Cocktail #2 on the menu I dug deep into my brain to recall the recipe of this great Martini variation. Somehow, in my years of learning and imbibing I got it stuck in my head that the Tuxedo Cocktail #2 is gin, dry vermouth, maraschino, and Angostura bitters. When we put this in the mixing glass, stirred it all up, poured it into a beautiful cocktail glass, and expressed the lemon garnish on it, we immediately fell in love. This is truly an elegant drink, from an elegant time.

There is one problem, it doesn’t call for Angostura bitters. After serving it to one of our fine members they pointed out that the color was a touch too dark, but the flavors were still well integrated. After a few minutes of debate and banter between the two of us he whips out his iPhone (aka the wonder killer, aka the bar-debate killer) and showed me multiple recipes from multiple websites that state the drink actually calls for orange bitters. I am a big enough man to admit when I am wrong, and boy was I wrong on this one. With one wee exception: A Tuxedo Cocktail #2 with Angostura is amazing!