History & Heritage
“The Naked & Famous was created in 2011 by bartender Joaquín Simó at the legendary New York City cocktail bar Death & Co. Simó described it as "the bastard love child borne out of an illicit Oaxacan love affair between a classic Last Word and Sam Ross' Paper Plane cocktail." This modern classic follows the equal-parts formula of its predecessors while introducing mezcal as the base spirit and Yellow Chartreuse for herbal sweetness. The name references a lyric from Tricky's 1996 song "Tricky Kid." The IBA canonized it as an official cocktail in 2020, cementing its status as a modern classic that helped popularize mezcal in cocktail culture.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Fill the shaker with ice
Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled and shaker is frosty
Double-strain through a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled glass
Serve immediately without garnish
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a robust, smoky mezcal like Del Maguey Chichicapa for the best results
Fresh lime juice is non-negotiable—bottled will compromise the balance
Yellow Chartreuse is essential—Green Chartreuse will overwhelm the other ingredients
Shake vigorously to achieve proper chilling and dilution
Serve ice-cold to maintain the delicate balance of flavors
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Naked & Famous.
Campari Variation
Uses Campari instead of Aperol for a more bitter and intense version.
Changes
Bacanora Version
Uses Bacanora for a drier, more herbaceous profile with desert terroir.
Changes
Portrait of Fame
London's Scarfes Bar variation with Buddha's Hand citrus and rhubarb notes.
Changes
Tropical Naked & Famous
Incorporates pineapple amaro and Bénédictine for a more tropical feel.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Equal Parts Smoke
A modern conceptual cocktail embodying the elegant simplicity of equal-parts recipes with the dramatic flair of smoked cocktails. Built on the foundation of the Naked & Famous, it harmoniously balances smoky mezcal with herbal Chartreuse, bittersweet Aperol, and bright lime.
Naked and Famous
A quintessential modern classic created by Joaquín Simó at Death & Co. in 2011. This audacious equal-parts cocktail combines smoky mezcal, honeyed Yellow Chartreuse, bittersweet Aperol, and fresh lime juice in perfect harmony.
Bacanora Naked and Famous
A Sonoran variation of the Naked and Famous using Bacanora instead of mezcal—drier, more herbaceous, and mineral-driven with desert terroir.