south of the border martinez

2 oz Reposado Tequila (Cimarron)
1 oz Sweet Vermouth (Martini Gran Lusso)
1/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino
2 dash Chocolate Bitters (Bittermens)

Stir with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and garnish with an orange twist.
For the cocktail hour two Sunday nights ago, I reached for Frank Caiafa's 2016 The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book and spotted the South of the Border Martinez. This agave riff was true to the classic Martinez recipe save for the reposado tequila and chocolate bitters substitions; similar agave riffs such as the Stockyards and Pipe Dream took more liberties. Once mixed, the South of the Border Martinez offered up orange, grape, and agave aromas with a hint of nutty cherry. Next, grape and a touch of cherry on the sip led into tequila and herbal grape on the swallow with a chocolate and nutty cherry finish.