The Naked & Famous: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Few modern cocktails achieve instant-classic status, but the Naked & Famous did exactly that—bursting onto the global bar scene with a neon flare of equal parts mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, and lime. It’s smoky, herbal, citrusy, and bitter-sweet all at once: a drink that shouldn’t work on paper, yet works brilliantly in the glass.

Sip it and the experience is cinematic—first a bright pop of citrus, then a swelling chorus of herbs from Chartreuse, a glowing ribbon of Aperol sweetness, and finally the cool, smoldering mezcal finish. It is a cocktail that feels simultaneously tropical and alpine, modern yet timeless, brash yet beautifully balanced.

Created in 2011 by Joaquín Simó at Death & Co in NYC, the Naked & Famous is widely regarded as a crown jewel of early 21st-century cocktail innovation—standing proudly alongside the Paper Plane, Oaxaca Old Fashioned, and Kingston Negroni as one of the definitive modern classics.

This is the complete history and technical deep dive into the Naked & Famous—why it works, how it rose to fame, and how to make the perfect version today.

I. Origins

A Death & Co Creation (2011)

The Naked & Famous was born at Death & Co, one of the most influential bars of the modern cocktail renaissance. Bartender Joaquín Simó crafted the drink during a period of intense flavor experimentation—when amari, herbal liqueurs, and mezcal were entering global cocktail consciousness.

Simó has famously described it as:

“The bastard love child of the Last Word and the Paper Plane.”

This captures its DNA perfectly—equal parts, brightly colored, balancing bitter, sweet, sour, and strong.

The Equal-Parts Template

The drink draws from the Last Word (gin, Chartreuse, maraschino, lime) with its equal-parts structure and high-intensity flavor profile.But Simó swapped:

• Mezcal for gin

• Aperol for maraschino

• Yellow Chartreuse for green Chartreuse (for softness)

The result:Balanced. Bold. Modern.

Mezcal’s Big Moment

In 2011, mezcal was just entering the mainstream craft sphere. The Naked & Famous became one of the first cocktails to showcase mezcal’s potential not as a novelty, but as a foundational base spirit.

II. Historical Evolution

From Industry Favorite to Global Classic

The Naked & Famous initially circulated among bartenders—a “shift drink” darling. Its appeal quickly spread due to:

• Its eye-catching coral-orange color

• Its smoky-smoky-sweet-sour structure

• Its resemblance to the Last Word family

• Its equal-parts memorability

By the mid-2010s, it was a staple in:

• Agave-forward bars

• Modern cocktail programs

• Bartender education

• Cocktail competitions

Chartreuse Supply Issues

With global shortages of green and yellow Chartreuse in the 2020s, bartenders explored substitutions:

• Strega

• Dolin Génépy

• Italian herbal liqueurs

But purists—and most recipes—maintain yellow Chartreuse as the definitive version.

Contemporary Status

Today, the Naked & Famous sits firmly among modern classics and is recognized worldwide for its perfect balance and striking profile.

III. Ingredients & Technique

This cocktail is a study in balance—each ingredient adds a specific dimension.

Mezcal

Use mezcal espadín, joven, and moderately smoky. Avoid:

• Overly peaty or phenolic mezcals

• Overly fruity tropical mezcals (they obscure balance)

Look for profiles with:

• Light smoke

• Citrus lift

• Herbal clarity

• Clean finish

Aperol

Provides:

• Gentle bitterness

• Sweet orange tones

• Vibrant color

• A soft counterweight to mezcal

Yellow Chartreuse

Essential for its:

• Floral elegance

• Honeyed spice

• Herbaceous complexity

• Smooth finish

Its lower proof (vs green) keeps the drink balanced.

Lime Juice

Adds acid structure.Use fresh only.

Texture

Shake hard to aerate and blend intense flavors.Fine strain to maintain clarity.

IV. Cultural Significance

Mezcal’s Breakthrough Cocktail

The Naked & Famous helped establish mezcal as a cocktail-worthy spirit—not just a smoky sipper.

A Modern Icon

It represents the 2010s era of craft cocktails characterized by:

• Amaro & aperitivo fascination

• Equal-parts structures

• Hybrid flavor architecture

• Bold coloration

• Flavor maximalism

A Bartender’s Bartender Drink

Its structure makes it a training tool for:

• Understanding balance

• Working with bitter liqueurs

• Calibrating citrus

• Recognizing modern templates

The Last Word Family Tree

It stands proudly beside:

• The Last Word

• Paper Plane

• Division Bell

• Naked & Famous

All equal-parts, brightly colored, deeply flavorful.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Naked & Famous

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) mezcal (espadín, joven)

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) Aperol

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) yellow Chartreuse

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) fresh lime juice

• Lime peel or dehydrated lime wheel, for garnish (optional)

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker.

2. Fill with ice and shake hard for 10–12 seconds.

3. Fine strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora.

4. Garnish with a lime wheel or express a peel lightly.

Specs

• Glass: Coupe / Nick & Nora

• Ice: None

• Garnish: Minimal—lime wheel or none

• Style: Equal-parts mezcal sour with herbal-bitter accents

Technique Notes

• Use a measured, balanced mezcal—not too smoky.

• Shake aggressively to integrate herbal and citrus components.

• Avoid sweetening—balance is built into the equal parts.

• Keep the drink cold and serve immediately.

Variations & Lineage

• Division Bell: Mezcal + Aperol + maraschino + lime

• Last Word: The ancestor; gin + green Chartreuse

• Paper Plane: The cousin; bourbon + Aperol + Amaro Nonino

• Green & Famous: Swap yellow Chartreuse for green (more intense)

• Naked & Fearless: Add grapefruit bitters or switch Aperol for Cappelletti

• Clarified Naked & Famous: Milk-wash the whole build for silky depth

Service & Pairing TipPerfect with:

• Tacos al pastor

• Citrus-marinated seafood

• Guacamole with chile oil

• Grilled vegetables

• Charred chicken

• Salty fried snacks

Ideal for evening service, agave nights, or cocktail flights.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

A Template for Mezcal Sour Hybrids

The Naked & Famous inspired a generation of mezcal cocktails built on:

• Bitter-orange foundations

• Herbal liqueurs

• Split aperitivo structures

• Neon coloration

• Bright acidity

Long-Term Impact

Its legacy lies in its perfection of:

• Equal parts

• Cross-genre ingredient pairing

• Mezcal’s role in contemporary mixology

• Aperitivo use in sour templates

Enduring Appeal

It remains beloved because it is:

• Balanced

• Vibrant

• Surprising

• Universally appealing

• Iconically modern

The Naked & Famous is more than a drink—it’s a milestone in mezcal cocktail history.