I found a recipe in a book by Gary Regan called The Martini Companion: A Connoisseur’s Guide which looked tasty, but needed a little work. I just can’t leave well enough alone.

The drink specifically called for Jose Cuervo Gold tequila (icky icky p’tang!), which boggles the mind when you consider the two high-quality ingredients with which it’s mixed. For this drink I’d use a very good quality sipping tequila, but not one of the super-expensive ones that you’d be reticent to add to a cocktail. I used one of my favorites, Cazadores Reposado, but Sauza Hornitos, Herradura, or any good, medium-priced 100% agave tequila would be fine. I also added one more ingredient to help add a little edge and balance to the sweetness of the liqueurs.

In the book the original drink was named the “Tequila Martini”, which didn’t make much sense either — this drink is as far removed from what a Martini really is than just about any cocktail I can think of. So with the help of Babelfish I came up with something else; Spanish speakers will probably roll their eyeballs and giggle, as this is probably as grammatically and idiomatically incorrect as just about everything else that comes out of Babelfish. Please feel free to make fun of me and/or suggest something better.

What matters is that the drink tastes really good.

Anaranjado Tequila

2 ounces good-quality 100% agave sipping tequila
1/2 ounce Cointreau
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
1 healthy dash of orange bitters

Combine all ingredients with cracked ice in a cocktail shaker. Stir until very cold, then strain into a small brandy snifter and serve with a strip of orange peel — wider than a twist, about 1/2″.