Siesta Cocktail

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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published Aug 21, 2024
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angled shot of two siesta cocktails in coupe glasses, garnished with lime wedges
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Sip on tequila, Campari, fresh lime and grapefruit juice.

Makes1 drink

Prep5 minutes

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Jump to Recipe
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angled shot of two siesta cocktails in coupe glasses, garnished with lime wedges
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

I like to end the day with a classic cocktail, and tequila is my spirit of choice. The options in summer for light and refreshing tequila cocktails feel endless, from classic margaritas to ranch water. As summer wanes into fall, I started searching for a new classic that could carry me through every season, and I found that in the siesta cocktail. 

The siesta cocktail is a modern classic first made in 2006 by bartender Katie Stipe at the Flatiron Lounge in New York City, and it’s her bitter take on the Hemingway daiquiri where she swaps tequila for rum and Campari for the maraschino liqueur. It’s an elegant cocktail that is the perfect balance between bittersweet and boozy. Here’s how to make a siesta at home.

Why You’ll Love It

  • It’s refreshing yet sophisticated. This is a cocktail I look forward to making for at-home happy hours all year long. Think of the siesta as a paloma, but slightly more bitter and with less beachy vibes. 
  • It’s so simple to make. All you need is tequila, Campari, simple syrup, lime, and grapefruit to make this simple cocktail.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Key Ingredients in a Siesta Cocktail

  • Tequila: 100% agave blanco or silver tequila is best for this cocktail, as it is unaged and has bright, citrusy flavors.
  • Lime: Remove a slice of lime for garnish before juicing. (This is my favorite citrus juicer.)
  • Grapefruit: Fresh-squeezed grapefruit is best, but a good-quality store-bought 100% grapefruit juice can be substituted.
  • Campari: This Italian aperitif provides bitter orange balance and a vibrant color to the cocktail.
  • Simple syrup: Because granulated sugar won’t completely dissolve in a chilled cocktail, make simple syrup to keep on hand for cocktails.

More Tequila Cocktails to Sip

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Siesta Cocktail Recipe

Sip on tequila, Campari, fresh lime and grapefruit juice.

Prep time 5 minutes

Makes 1 drink

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1

    medium lime

  • 1 wedge

    red or pink grapefruit (about 1/8 medium grapefruit)

  • 1 1/2 ounces

    blanco tequila

  • 1/2 ounce

    Campari

  • 1/2 ounce

    simple syrup

  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Refrigerate or freeze a coupe or old-fashioned glass.

  2. Halve 1 medium lime. Slice 1 round from one half, and reserve for garnish. Juice the lime halves until you have 3/4 ounce, then add to a cocktail shaker. Juice 1 grapefruit wedge until you have 1/2 ounce, then add to the shaker.

  3. Add 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila, 1/2 ounce Campari, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup. Fill the shaker halfway with ice, seal, and shake until the outside of the shaker is very frosty, about 20 seconds.

  4. Pour through a strainer into the glass. Garnish with the lime slice.

Filed in:
Beverages
Cocktails