Mexican Firing Squad Special

Review:

Tequila dominates this lightly citrusy fairly dry classic. The bitters play a key role in both balance and flavour.

It's worth noting that this drink is a sour served in a highball glass but it is not a Highball and should not be topped with soda. A highball glass should be a max capacity of 10oz / 296ml. Use such a glass filled with ice and this recipe will fill to a good washline without need, or room, for a soda top.

Variant:

Nautilus

History:

Adapted from a recipe in Charles H Baker's 1939 The Gentleman's Companion.

MEXICAN 'FIRING SQUAD' SPECIAL, which is a creation we almost became wrecked upon in – of all sorts – LA CUCURACHA BAR, in Mexico City, in 1937.
Now and again we found ourselves just a little fed up with rather casual Mexican mixers, and the guidance of 2 young Mexican caballeros whose parents mattered in official circles in that city of Mexico. We were herded into fancy, rather dull places, served too warm drinks. And finally, on 1 occasion we broke off by ourself, sought out this bar, – where an aristocrat native oughtn't to be seen! ¬– ordered things in our own way.
This drink is based on tequila, top-flight distillation of the Maguey plant. Use a tall collins glass and snap fingers at the consequences. . . . Take 2 jiggers of tequila, being sure to purchase a good brand, for there are many raw distillations. Add the juice of 2 small limes, 1½ to 2 tsp of grenadine, or plain gomme syrup. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Chill the glass, pack with finely cracked ice, turn in the mixture and garnish with slice of orange, 1 of pineapple and a red cherry.

Charles H Baker, 1939

Nutrition:

One serving of Mexican Firing Squad Special contains 171 calories