los muertos

1 1/2 oz Blanco Tequila (Espolón)
1 oz Sweet Vermouth (Vya)
1 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Grapefruit Marmalade (Mediterranean Organic Pink)

Shake with ice and double strain into a Double Old Fashioned glass full of fresh ice. Garnish with a grapefruit zest.

Two weekends ago, I finally spotted and purchased a jar of grapefruit marmalade at Harvest Co-op in Central Square so I could make a recipe that appeared in the TastingTable Best Cocktails of 2011 list. The Los Muertos was created by Alex Smith of Gitane's in San Francisco. Beside the marmalade, there was the pairing of sweet vermouth and lime which reminded me of the Fig Leaf Cocktail, but instead of rum, this drink was tequila based. Or perhaps with the dual citrus components and the sweet vermouth, it later reminded me a little of the whiskey-based Oriental.
The Los Muertos began with a grapefruit aroma that was punctuated by the tequila's agave notes. The sip showcased the citrus elements with a pleasing grapefruit and lime flavor, and the swallow went more vegetal with tequila and vermouth notes. When I first saw the recipe, it looked like it needed more sugar especially with our grapefruit marmalade; while the drink was indeed on the tart side, it was refreshingly so. Andrea commented that the Los Muertos was "smooth... all the flavors are very rounded" which I attribute in part to the effect of the marmalade's pectin.