Locomotion Recipe

Chill a rocks or coupe glass by filling it with ice water or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with fresh ice.

Measure and pour 2 oz añejo or reposado tequila into the shaker. The older, slightly oaky profile of añejo or the lighter but still complex reposado pairs well with the citrus and sweet elements.

Add 0.5 oz orange curaçao (or triple sec) to contribute orange warmth and body.

Add 0.75 oz fresh lime juice and 0.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice (preferably ruby grapefruit) to provide bright acidity and a slightly bitter-sweet citrus note. Always squeeze fresh for best flavor.

Add 0.5 oz agave syrup (or honey syrup made 1:1 honey and warm water) to balance the citrus. Adjust later to taste if you prefer sweeter or drier.

Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well chilled (this both chills and dilutes to the correct level).

Empty the chilled serving glass of ice water if you used that to chill it.

Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass over fresh large ice (rocks glass) or neat into a coupe if you prefer it without extra dilution. Use a fine mesh strainer in addition to the shaker strainer to catch small pulp or ice chips.

If using bitters: add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters on top of the drink and lightly stir once to integrate. The bitters add aromatic depth and a faint spice note.

If you prefer a lighter, spritzed cocktail: top the drink with about 1 oz sparkling water or club soda and stir gently once to combine. This creates a longer, more sessionable serve.

Garnish with a grapefruit wheel or a lime twist. For a lime twist: express the oils by holding the twist over the drink and giving it a quick pinch, then rim the glass and drop it in. For a grapefruit wheel: float it on top or thread it on the glass rim.

Serve immediately. The Locomotion is balanced between tequila's warmth, orange liqueur body, and citrus brightness—adjust agave and soda to personal taste for variation.