Café Royal’s Matador! The Dry Tequila Classic

Facts:

Category: Cocktail

Café Royal’s Matador is one of the oldest known cocktails featuring tequila as the main ingredient. It was first published in the Café Royal Cocktail Book in 1937, edited by William J. Tarling – one of the founders of the United Kingdom Bartenders’ Guild. This drink represented a completely new direction for tequila: gone were the sweet tropical flavors, replaced by a dry and elegant balance of tequila, orange curaçao, and dry vermouth.

History:

When Café Royal’s Matador emerged in the 1930s, tequila was still a relatively unknown spirit in Europe. London bars began to experiment with the exotic distillate from Mexico, and Tarling wanted to present a sophisticated version that could compete with classic gin- and vermouth-based aperitifs. The result was Matador – a harmonious and spirit-forward cocktail where the herbal notes of agave meet the dryness of vermouth and the subtle orange tones of curaçao. This drink is a precursor to many modern tequila cocktails that focus on balance rather than fruitiness.

Ingredients:

• 25 ml tequila blanco (100% agave)
• 25 ml orange curaçao
• 25 ml dry vermouth
• Ice cubes

Instructions (mise en place):

1. Chill the coupe glass.
2. Prepare all ingredients and ice.
3. Fill a shaker with ice.
4. Add tequila, orange curaçao, and dry vermouth.
5. Shake thoroughly for about 10–12 seconds until the shaker is cold.
6. Strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe glass.
7. Garnish with a thin twist of orange peel for aroma and elegance.

Flavor Profile:

Dry, elegant, and complex. Refined balance between the herbal and peppery notes of tequila, the light orange sweetness from curaçao, and the wine-like, dry character of vermouth.

Glass Type or Serving Suggestions:

Chilled coupe glass, garnished with a thin twist of orange peel or a discreet lime twist.

Summary:

Café Royal’s Matador is a historic cocktail from 1937 that showcases how tequila could early on be used in sophisticated, dry drinks without tropical notes. With equal parts tequila blanco, orange curaçao, and dry vermouth, it offers a perfect balance of agave, herbs, and citrus. This is a cocktail for those who love the Martini style but want a new twist with a Mexican character. Ideal as an aperitif, and a fascinating introduction to the elegant side of tequila.