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Dead Man's Handle

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (292)
Dead Man's Handle image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Blanco tequila
1⁄2 fl oz Bittersweet orange-red aperitivo
1⁄2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄2 fl oz Monin Almond (Orgeat) Syrup

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Libbey Hurricane 13.25oz

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a POCO GRANDE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of Tajín seasoning.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into glass filled with crushed ice.

Garnish

  1. Dust with Tajín seasoning.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Dead Man's Handle contains 185 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.1 standard drinks
  • 16.05% alc./vol. (32.11° proof)
  • 15.5 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

  • Orgeat (almond) sugar syrup (2:1) — Nuts

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Adapted from a recipe created in 2019 by Tiffany Kirk at Miss Carousel bar in Houston, USA. Perhaps named after the dead man's switch designed to activate or deactivate if a human operator becomes incapacitated due to loss of consciousness or being physically removed from control. Also known as a dead man's handle, such switches were originally used on trains, other vehicles and machines, but the term is now used to describe other fail-safe devices or computer software.

Review

Tequila-charged, delicately bittersweet undertones sit with rich almond syrup.

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$3.82 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

James Kittock Premium Member
This is a weird one. I used Espolón Reposado, Luxardo Apertivo, and Liber Orgeat. The Liber is just too dominant. It gives the drink a cloudy pink look which is neither good nor bad for me. I can taste all the flavors but they don’t work together. I couldn’t salvage this one. It was a rare time when I dumped a drink.
score: 1
Oscar Lind
Used 60ml of Reposado instead of the blanco, worked wonderfully. Didn't have the Tajin around for the seasoning but I can that being a great addition. Lovely summer aperitif!
score: 1
Loz Horner
Very drinkable but we agree with Florian. May not need the full dose of orgeat. Nice either way though!
score: 1
Gerald Stover
One of my new favorite cocktails! Super tasty.
score: 2
Florian Ruf Premium Member
I tried it straight up with a Tajin rim, which works good. But the Monin Orgeat is too dominant, using this I will reduce it next time and possibly use more the lime juice.
score: 1
Leon Camfield
Tasty, but definitely could be sharper
score: 1
Max Pelui
Tweaked it slightly as no Aperol and as usual subbed a smaller does of Campari (10 ml) but would have actually been better with 15 ml to balance the Orgeat. Upped lime to 20 ml. A simple Tajin is very easy to replicate if again like mine you are missing this; Grate/zest 1 lime onto kitchen paper, transfer to small piece of foil and dry in a very low oven for 20 mins. Then add 1/2 tsp chilli flakes, 1/4 paprika and 1/4 salt. Grind all ingredients together in a pestle and mortar et voila!
score: 4
Graeme McPherson
Oh yeah! Great summer afternoon cocktail. Sipping now while on a coastal vacation and it is really hitting the spot. Also a good way to finish off the Aperol after the Prosecco for spritzes runs out.
score: 3
István GT
Oh boy this is great, these Aperol-Campari cocktails are really sweet spots for me. I saw this cocktail at Lui Fernandez and checked if it was listed here too, of course it was. Aperol is a bit less than in his recipe, I think it's the perfect ratio.
score: 4
Shannon Brown
A very interesting drink. All the ingredients come through in layers. Has a long lingering bitter aftertaste, not unpleasant. I do like tajin, but it confuses the palette here. Maybe my dusting was too generous? I think a better way to include it would be to rim half the glass to separate the flavours, just like you wouldn’t put salt in a margarita, but it’s an essential ingredient. I think that would help clear up the confusion to the taste buds. Still, a nice drink. Worth playing with.
score: 1

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.82 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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