The Rio Grande is one of the 15 Tequila based drinks in the Café Royal Cocktail Book, published in 1937. I have written the recipe as it appears in the book, which happens to be in parts, rather than ounces or ml.
1/3 Italian Vermouth
1/3 Gin
1/3 Tequila
Shake
Once again, the recipe calls for the drink to be shaken, but I don’t see the point. I tried stirring the Rio Grande and in my opinion, it produces a superior drink.
If you appreciate a strong, complex drink, you’ll love this one. Don’t be shy to reach for ingredients with “balls” for this one. In my opinion, a gin with a big whack of botanicals, a rich and complex Italian Vermouth and an Agave loaded Reposado Tequila are exactly what you want.
The Rio Grande is great served in a coup and I found a twist of lemon zest to be a nice little touch.
