What We're Drinking: Mexican Firing Squad Special

One of my favorite tequila cocktails is the Mexican Firing Squad Special. This Charles H. Baker cocktail was allegedly created by traveling bon vivant after an evening in Mexico City being "herded into fancy, dull places, served too warm drinks. And finally on 1 occasion we broke off by ourself, sought out this bar, (and) ordered things our own way."

Partida Blanco is smooth 80 proof 100% agave tequila with a crisp and dry finish. It's bouquet has a delicate hint of citrus and slight floral aroma. Partida's tequilas are "estate-grown premium tequila" from the village of Amatitan in the heart of the Tequila distilling region. The Blanco is unaged and thus blends well in mixed cocktails such as the Mexican Firing Squad Special. Partida also produces excellent Reposado (aged 6 months), the Anejo (aged 18 months), and Extra Anejo Elegante (aged 36 months) types of tequila. The Reposado would also work in this cocktail.


Mexican Firing Squad Special
3 oz Partida Blanco tequila
1 oz lime juice
3/4 oz grenadine
2 dashes Angostura bitters

I "improved" this recipe by substituting Al Wadi Pomegranate molasses (1/2 oz) for the grenadine and Bitter Truth Bittermans Xocolatl Mole bitters for the Angostura.

Combine the ingredients and dry shake, then add cracked ice and shake until ice cold. Then strain into the Collins glass packed with cracked ice. Garnish with lime wedge or if you are Charles H. Baker bored of warm drinks in Mexico City - pineapple, orange slice, and a cherry! What a nightcap!

Optional: Top with seltzer water and you get the fizz version of the cocktail.

You may obtain Al Wadi pomegranate molasses at Sahadi Importing Company in Brooklyn or Kalustyan's who sell this product at their online shop. The Bitter Truth Bittermans Xocolatl Mole bitters is available at Cocktail Kingdom and the Boston Shaker.

Where to get it: The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company, Philadelphia, Freemans, NYC, Mayahuel, NYC, The Varnish, Los Angeles, and the Zig Zag Cafe, Seattle.

(Bottom Photo courtesy of Seven Red, taken at the Franklin)