Siesta

The Siesta is a beautifully balanced cocktail that blends the earthy notes of tequila with the iconic bitterness of Campari. Fresh grapefruit and lime juices add a bright, zesty sourness, while a touch of simple syrup rounds out the flavors. Its striking ruby-pink hue makes it as visually appealing as it is delicious, offering a complex yet highly drinkable experience.
Siesta

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Siesta is a modern classic cocktail. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif due to its refreshing and slightly bitter profile, making it a perfect pre-dinner drink.

Serving

This cocktail is served chilled and straight up in a coupe or Martini glass. It's a spirit-forward but refreshing drink with a moderate alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 18-22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created in 2006 by bartender Katie Stipe at the Flatiron Lounge in New York City. The drink is considered a modern classic and is essentially a tequila-based riff on the Hemingway Daiquiri. Stipe substituted tequila for rum and Campari for the maraschino liqueur, creating a unique and memorable flavor profile that quickly gained popularity.
Origin
New York City, USA, 2006.

Siesta

The drink is primarily known as the Siesta or Siesta Cocktail. It has no widely used alternative names.
Original name
Siesta
Alternative name
Siesta Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Siesta offers a vibrant, bittersweet flavor profile dominated by citrus and Campari's herbal notes, with a crisp, smooth texture. Its refreshing character and bright aroma make it an ideal summer cocktail.
Flavor
bittersweet, citrusy, earthy, herbal, tangy
Aroma
grapefruit, lime, agave, bitter orange
Taste balance
balanced, bitter, sour, slightly sweet
Aftertaste
clean, lingering bitterness, citrus zest
Fizziness
still
Color appearance
pink, ruby, coral, clear
Texture
smooth, crisp, light-bodied
Seasonality
refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, with a prominent bitter-sour balance from Campari and fresh citrus. The sweetness is low, providing just enough to round out the drink, while the tequila base adds a pleasant earthy strength.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for blanco tequila, Campari, fresh grapefruit and lime juices, and simple syrup. Using high-quality, freshly squeezed juices is crucial for the best result.
  • Tequila Blanco60 ml / 2 oz
    A 100% agave tequila is recommended.
  • Campari15 ml / 0.5 oz
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for best flavor.
  • Fresh Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    1:1 sugar to water ratio. Adjust to taste.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You'll need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, jigger, and strainers. A citrus juicer is also essential for the fresh juices.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Strainer (Hawthorne and fine-mesh)
  • Citrus juicer

Instructions

The method is straightforward: chill your glass, shake all ingredients with ice, and double-strain into the glass. Finish with a grapefruit twist garnish.
1. Chill a coupe or Martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add tequila, Campari, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with a grapefruit twist, expressing the oils over the surface of the drink before dropping it in.

Garnishing

A simple grapefruit twist, expressed over the drink to release its oils, is the classic garnish. A small grapefruit wedge on the rim also works well.
  • Grapefruit twist

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, gluten, nuts, and soy. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate number of calories, primarily from the alcohol and simple syrup. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low for a cocktail.
Calories
Approximately 180-210 kcal / 753-879 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 9-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect for warm weather, the Siesta is a great choice for summer parties, happy hours, or as a pre-dinner aperitif. Its bright and refreshing character also makes it suitable for a sophisticated brunch.
  • Summer party
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Happy hour
  • Brunch

Pairing suggestions

The Siesta's bittersweet and citrusy profile pairs wonderfully with spicy and savory foods. It cuts through the richness of appetizers like tacos or quesadillas and complements the fresh flavors of ceviche. Salty snacks also provide a great contrast.
  • Spicy Mexican appetizers
  • Ceviche
  • Salty snacks like olives or almonds
  • Light cheeses

The Siesta: A Modern Classic Awakening

The Siesta is a sophisticated and refreshing modern classic cocktail created by Katie Stipe in 2006. It strikes a perfect balance between the earthy notes of tequila, the iconic bitterness of Campari, and the bright acidity of fresh grapefruit and lime juice. Served straight up in a chilled coupe, its vibrant coral hue and complex flavor make it a memorable and delightful drink for any occasion, especially as a pre-dinner aperitif.

Similar Cocktails

Hemingway Daiquiri

The drink's inspiration. It uses white rum, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit, and lime juice.

You May Also Like

Gin and Tonic

A refreshing and classic highball cocktail made with gin and tonic water, typically garnished with a wedge or slice of lime.

Godmother

A simple and elegant after-dinner cocktail made with vodka and amaretto, served over ice.

Crown and Ginger

A refreshingly simple highball that pairs the smooth character of Crown Royal Canadian whisky with the spicy sweetness of ginger ale.

Elderflower Gimlet

A floral, sweet, and tart twist on the classic Gimlet, featuring the delicate notes of elderflower liqueur.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Phlogiston Cocktail

A smoky, bitter, and herbaceous sour cocktail featuring equal parts mezcal, Cynar, and Green Chartreuse.

Whiskey Crusta

A sophisticated and aromatic 19th-century sour, featuring whiskey balanced by citrus and liqueurs, served in an iconic sugar-crusted glass with a long lemon peel garnish.

Shark

A complex and fruity tiki-style sour combining gin, overproof rum, and applejack with pineapple and lemon juices.

Whiskey Mac

A simple and warming classic cocktail combining Scotch whisky and green ginger wine.