Common Cocktails Recipe

Prepare the glass

Run a lime wedge around the rim of a chilled coupe or rocks glass. Spread the coarse sea salt on a small plate and press the wet rim into the salt to coat. Set the glass aside.

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add 1.5 oz silver tequila, 0.75 oz orange liqueur, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, 2 tbs dry sherry, and 0.5 tsp agave syrup. The sherry provides the wine element and adds nuttiness and depth.

Shake

Fill the shaker with ice (about 1 cup) and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty and the mixture is well-chilled and slightly diluted.

Strain and serve

Double-strain (optional) into the prepared glass over fresh ice if serving on the rocks, or strain neat into the chilled glass if serving straight up. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge on the rim.

Tasting notes & adjust

Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity: add 1/4 tsp agave if too tart, or 1/4 oz extra sherry if you want a stronger wine character. Stir gently if adjusted.

Chill and prepare

Chill a coupe or rocks glass. No salted rim is required for this variation, but you may salt half the rim if desired.

Build the cocktail

In a shaker, combine 1 oz amontillado sherry, 1 oz reposado tequila, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz orange curaçao, and 0.25 tsp maple syrup.

Shake with ice

Add about 1 cup of ice to the shaker and shake for 10–15 seconds until well-chilled and diluted.

Strain and garnish

Fine-strain into the chilled glass over a large ice cube (for rocks) or neat for coupe service. Express a lime twist over the top and drop as garnish.

Serve

Serve immediately. The sherry provides a savory, nutty backbone that complements the tequila and citrus; adjust sweetness with a small additional dash of maple or agave if needed.