Naked and Famous

The Naked and Famous is a modern “New Era” masterpiece and an equal-parts classic composed of Mezcal (Espadín), Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, and Fresh Lime Juice. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful riffs on the Last Word template, celebrated for its brilliant orange-pink hue and its flawless integration of smoke, bitterness, and botanical honey.

Key Takeaways

• Formula: Equal parts (1:1:1:1 ratio).
• Core Concept: Mexican Mezcal meets French and Italian Liqueurs.
• Flavor Profile: Smoky, bittersweet, and citrusy.
• Glassware: Chilled Cocktail (Coupe) glass.

History: Joaquín Simó and Death & Co.

The Naked and Famous was created in 2011 by Joaquín Simó during his tenure at the legendary New York bar Death & Co..

The Hybrid Riff

Simó described the drink as “the bastard child of the Last Word and the Paper Plane, born of a three-way with a Mezcal Last Word.” It takes the equal-parts structure of the Last Word, replaces the Gin with Mezcal, and used the softer Yellow Chartreuse and Aperol to balance the agave smoke.

The Name

The name is a reference to a lyric from the song “Tricky, Tricky” by the English post-punk band The Fall, emphasizing the cocktail’s modern, slightly edgy identity.

Ingredient Analysis

Mezcal (Espadín)

A quality Joven (white) Espadín Mezcal is required. The smoke from the agave acts as the drink’s foundation, preventing the heavy sweetness of the liqueurs from becoming cloying.

Yellow vs. Green Chartreuse

Unlike the Last Word, which uses the aggressive 110-proof Green Chartreuse, the Naked and Famous uses Yellow Chartreuse (80-proof). Yellow Chartreuse is sweeter, softer, and features notes of honey, saffron, and anise, which pair much more harmoniously with the bittersweet Aperol and smoky mezcal.

Aperol: The Citrus Modifier

Aperol provides the drink’s vibrant color and its gentle gentian bitterness, which acts as a bridge between the lime acidity and the herbal liqueur.

Preparation Mechanics

1. Precision Ratio: The 1:1:1:1 ratio is absolute (22.5ml each). Any deviation will cause the smoke of the mezcal or the sweetness of the Chartreuse to dominate.
2. The Shake: Shake vigorously with large ice cubes for 12-15 seconds. High-intensity chilling is required to tighten the flavors of the heavy liqueurs.
3. Double Straining: Strain into a chilled coupe. The drink should be translucent and feature a beautiful, sunrise-like sunset color.
4. Garnish: Typically served without a garnish to keep the focus on the drink’s striking natural color and complex aroma.

Tasting Profile

The Naked and Famous is a masterclass in modern balance. The entry is a bright, tart burst of lime. This is immediately followed by a wave of honeyed herbal sweetness from the Chartreuse and the orange-rhubarb notes of the Aperol. The finish is remarkably dry and persistent, with the smoky “afterburn” of the mezcal lingering on the tongue long after the sip is gone. It is the definitive modern “Equal Parts” classic.