X.Y.Z. Cocktail
The X.Y.Z. Cocktail is a Prohibition-era classic known for its simple yet elegant formula. It combines light rum, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice to create a perfectly balanced sour-style drink. Its crispness and refreshing citrus profile make it a delightful and often overlooked gem. The name itself is a bit of a mystery, possibly alluding to it being the "end of the line" or the last word in cocktails, a fine choice for any occasion.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The X.Y.Z. is classified as a classic cocktail. It belongs to the sour family of drinks, characterized by a base spirit, a sweet element, and a sour citrus element. Its straightforward composition makes it a quintessential example of Prohibition-era mixology.
Serving
Served 'straight up' in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass, the X.Y.Z. is a crisp, cold drink with a moderate but noticeable alcoholic strength.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The X.Y.Z. Cocktail first appeared in print in Harry McElhone's 1926 book, "Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails." The origin of its intriguing name is uncertain, with speculation ranging from it being a simple code to a playful suggestion that it's the "last word" in cocktails. It is widely considered a direct variation of the Sidecar, simply substituting light rum for brandy or Cognac.
Origin
The recipe was first published in Paris, France, in the mid-1920s during Prohibition in the United States, an era when American bartenders and drinkers flocked to Europe.
X.Y.Z. Cocktail
The cocktail's name is often written as X.Y.Z. or simply XYZ. The origin of the name is unknown, but it's humorously speculated to suggest that this drink is the "last word" in cocktails, playing on the final letters of the alphabet.
Original name
X.Y.Z. Cocktail
Alternative name
XYZ Cocktail
Characteristics overview
This is a highly refreshing and crisp cocktail with a dominant tart lemon flavor, elegantly balanced by the sweetness of rum and orange liqueur. It has a smooth texture and a remarkably clean, short finish.
Flavor
Citrusy, tart, lightly sweet, rum-forward, orange
Aroma
Lemon zest, orange peel, light rum
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, short, crisp
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale yellow, hazy, translucent
Texture
Smooth, light-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, suitable year-round
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor profile is intense and straightforward, led by a pronounced sourness from the lemon. This is balanced by a moderate sweetness and fruitiness, with a noticeable but not overpowering alcohol presence.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This drink requires only three simple ingredients: a light rum as the base, triple sec for sweetness and orange flavor, and freshly squeezed lemon juice for a tart finish.
- Light Rum45 ml / 1.5 ozA Spanish-style or other clean, light-bodied rum works best.
- Triple Sec22.5 ml / 0.75 ozA quality triple sec like Cointreau or a similar orange liqueur is recommended.
- Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ozMust be freshly squeezed for best results.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and both a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer for a perfectly smooth pour.
- Cocktail shaker to chill and dilute the ingredients
- Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions
- Strainer (Hawthorne and fine mesh) to pour without ice shards
Instructions
The preparation is simple: shake all three ingredients vigorously with ice, then double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist to finish.
1. Prepare your garnish and chill a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice and water.
2. Combine the light rum, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is well-frosted.
5. Empty the chilling ice from your glass, if necessary.
6. Double strain the contents of the shaker through a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer into the chilled glass.
7. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the surface of the drink, then drop it in or place it on the rim.
Garnishing
A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish, providing an aromatic citrus oil that complements the drink's flavors.
- Lemon twist to express oils over the drink and add aroma
Dietary Information
This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, provided the spirits used are certified as such.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the triple sec. Its carbohydrate and sugar content are relatively low for a sour-style cocktail.
Calories
Averagely 170-190 kcal / 711-795 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9-11 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This cocktail is perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif to awaken the palate. Its light and refreshing character also makes it especially suitable for social gatherings and warm-weather sipping.
- Aperitif
- Summer party
- Cocktail hour
- Casual gathering
Pairing suggestions
The cocktail's tart and citrus-forward profile pairs exceptionally well with light seafood dishes like ceviche or grilled shrimp. It can also cut through the richness of fried appetizers or complement the saltiness of olives and nuts.
- Ceviche
- Grilled shrimp
- Light salads with vinaigrette
- Salty snacks like olives or marcona almonds
The Enigmatic Elegance of the X.Y.Z. Cocktail
The X.Y.Z. Cocktail is a delightful and zesty Prohibition-era classic. A simple concoction of light rum, triple sec, and lemon juice, it is essentially a Sidecar with a Caribbean spirit. Its profile is crisp, clean, and refreshingly tart, making it an excellent aperitif or a perfect sipper for a warm evening. Despite its mysterious name, its appeal is straightforward and timeless, a testament to the beauty of a well-balanced sour.
Similar Cocktails
Sidecar
Uses Cognac or brandy as the base spirit instead of rum.
White Lady
Uses gin as the base spirit instead of rum.
Margarita
Uses tequila as the base spirit and lime juice instead of lemon juice.
Kamikaze
Uses vodka as the base spirit and often lime juice instead of lemon.
Between the Sheets
Adds a measure of Cognac to the rum base, creating a split-base sour.
Daiquiri
A simpler rum sour that omits the orange liqueur, using simple syrup for sweetness and lime juice.
Corpse Reviver No. 2
Shares the gin, lemon, and orange liqueur DNA but adds Lillet Blanc and an absinthe rinse for complexity.
Variations
You May Also Like
Oaxacan Last Word
A smoky, herbaceous, and tart variation of the classic Last Word cocktail, substituting gin with artisanal mezcal.
Breakfast Martini
A sophisticated and tangy gin sour perfectly balanced by the sweet and bitter notes of fine orange marmalade.
Caipirinha
The Caipirinha is a refreshing and potent Brazilian cocktail made with cachaça, sugar, and lime.
Appletini
A crisp and vibrant vodka-based cocktail that balances the sweet and tart flavors of green apple.
Have You Tried These Yet?
Carabinieri Cocktail
A bracing and intensely herbal Italian-style cocktail featuring an equal-parts combination of gin, Fernet-Branca, and Galliano.
Rum Rickey
A crisp, tart, and effervescent highball featuring rum, fresh lime juice, and soda water.
Macuá Cocktail
A refreshing tropical cocktail from Nicaragua, featuring white rum and sweet guava juice balanced with a touch of citrus.
Gin Fix
A refreshing and simple 19th-century classic that balances gin with the sweetness of pineapple and the tartness of lemon.