tango #2

1/5 Rum (1/2 oz Smith & Cross)
1/5 Dry Vermouth (1/2 oz Noilly Prat)
1/5 Sweet Vermouth (1/2 oz Cocchi Vermouth di Torino)
1/5 Bénédictine (1/2 oz)
1/5 Orange Juice (1/2 oz)

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. I added an orange twist.

After having the Supreme Cocktail last week and noting the similarities to the Tango #2, we decided to revisit this classic from Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book. Our introduction to the drink was Wayne Curtis' variation at Tales of the Cocktail 2009 where he substituted Cynar and Angostura Bitters for Bénédictine.The Tango #2 offered an orange oil aroma; while I also got a funky note from the Smith & Cross, Andrea perceived something a bit more savory from perhaps the Bénédictine or vermouths instead. Next, the sip was grape and orange, and the swallow ended with the Jamaican rum and Bénédictine's herbal notes. Indeed, the Smith & Cross' strong flavor profile caused that equal part to play a much larger role in the drink than most other rums would, but the recipe seemed adaptable enough to handle that shift.