Restaurants›Vaca DTLA›Spanish Armada Recipe

Spanish Armada Recipe

Name: Vaca DTLAs SPANISH ARMADA Recipe
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 2 oz Gin Mare (or other Spanish/Herb-forward gin); 4 oz Q Spectacular Tonic (or high-quality Mediterranean tonic); 1 piece Fresh grapefruit peel (long strip); 1 piece Green olive (Spanish or manzanilla); 1 sprig Fresh oregano sprig; 6 pieces Ice (large cubes or sphere); 1 piece Extra grapefruit peel (twist for aroma); 1 sprig Extra fresh oregano (small sprig)

Inspired by Vaca DTLA

Time8m

Serves1

Gin Mare (Spain), Q Spectacular Tonic, Grapefruit Peel, Olive, Oregano

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

2 oz Gin Mare (or other Spanish/Herb-forward gin)4 oz Q Spectacular Tonic (or high-quality Mediterranean tonic)1 piece Fresh grapefruit peel (long strip)1 piece Green olive (Spanish or manzanilla)1 sprig Fresh oregano sprig6 pieces Ice (large cubes or sphere)

Optional / For Serving

1 piece Extra grapefruit peel (twist for aroma)1 sprig Extra fresh oregano (small sprig)

Method

Cocktail

Chill glass

Place a large copa or balloon glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice and water to chill while you prepare ingredients.

Prepare aromatics

Using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, cut a long, wide strip of grapefruit peel (about 2–3 inches). Lightly bruise the oregano sprig between your palms to release aroma and set both aside.

Add gin and ice

Discard the chilling ice/water from the glass if you used it. Add 2 oz Gin Mare to the chilled glass, then add large ice cubes (enough to fill the glass about 3/4 full; roughly 4–6 large cubes). Large ice melts slower and keeps the drink balanced.

Top with tonic

Slowly pour 4 oz Q Spectacular Tonic over the back of a bar spoon (or down the side of the glass) to preserve carbonation and maintain an elegant layering of flavors.

Express oils and garnish

Hold the grapefruit peel over the drink skin-side down and give it a firm twist to express the oils onto the surface. Run the peel around the rim of the glass for extra aroma and drop it into the drink. Spear one green olive on a cocktail pick and rest it on/in the glass. Gently slap the oregano sprig once more and tuck it into the drink so its aroma sits above the cocktail without being overwhelmed.

Final check and serve

Give the drink one very gentle stir (1–2 turns) to integrate gin and tonic without losing effervescence. Serve immediately with a small napkin or coaster.

Optional / For Serving

For a stronger grapefruit presence, add an extra twist of grapefruit peel just before serving. For more herbal aroma, float an extra small oregano sprig on top.