Drinks with a little Latin flavor were the game of the night, so La Rosita was next in line. Not only beautiful but tasty as well, this is a tequila-and-Campari twist on a Perfect Manhattan, a combination which made me raise an eyebrow. I mean, really…it doesn’t sound good on paper, so why would you want to ingest it?

Fortunately, I am still relatively inexperienced in the world of cocktails and still find myself surprised by some unusual combinations. This was one such exception, a lovely and smooth mixture of the classic and the inspired.

1 1/2 oz reposado tequila
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz Campari

Fill highball glass two-thirds full with ice. Add all ingredients, stir until completely chilled and strain into a cocktail glass. Serve.

Though I didn’t care for this as much as my boyfriend (the Campari junkie), La Rosita was a lovely color, had excellent body and a distinct and well-rounded flavor. Perhaps not a drink I will make consistently, but certainly one to remember when ‘memorable’ (in a positive sense) is your intent.