21st Century

Tequila and absinthe (or anise liqueur) is an inspired combination, and the inspiration for this fine quaff came from two celebrated cocktailians: Jim Meehan of PDT and Audrey Sanders of Pegu Club.
This is an odd combination, but when it’s in perfect balance, it’s a beautiful drink. It’s a clever twist on the much-older Twentieth Century cocktail, with tequila and absinthe taking the place of gin and white wine apéritif.
Be careful not to leave too much absinthe in the glass after the rinse, or the flavor could overpower the more delicate notes of chocolate. You could also use an absinthe liqueur like pastis in place of the absinthe; there’s such a small amount used that the extra sweetness won’t be noticed.

Ingredients
- 2 parts Blanco tequila
- ¾ part Light Crème de cacao
- ¾ part Lemon juice
- ¼ part Absinthe or Anise liqueur
Instructions
Start by “rinsing” a chilled cocktail glass with absinthe (or anise liqueur): pour the absinthe into the glass, swirl it around, and discard. Then shake the remaining ingredients with ice, and strain into the rinsed glass.


Get the App
The Cocktail Party app puts this drink – and hundreds more – in your pocket, and tells you what you can make from the ingredients you have at home. It's the best $3.99 you'll ever spend on a drink.

Read more
- The PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan
- Watch mixologist Robert Hess make the 21st Century cocktail on his wonderfully educational Small Screen Network site.
