Liquid Time Travel: Seasonal Cocktails at The Tuxedo

Step into The Tuxedo, where classic cocktails meet modern innovation. This season’s menu is a journey through time and taste, blending historical recipes with contemporary techniques.

The bar’s philosophy honors tradition while embracing experimentation. Aged spirits meet ultrasonic infusion, buttermilk clarifies bold flavors, and liquid nitrogen locks in freshness.

From the Tuxedo Flight—showcasing five variations of the 19th-century original—to the Aerobic Spumoni—oxygenated for an ethereal foam—each drink tells a story.

Let’s take a look…

Tuxedo Flight

The Tuxedo cocktail has seen many variations throughout history; the original is believed to have been created in 1893 at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Since then, different iterations have emerged—No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4, with No. 2 famously recorded in The Savoy Cocktail Book—making it one of the world’s most adapted cocktails.

Guests can sample all five versions (Original, No. 1–4) as the Tuxedo Flight (RMB228), served in 20ml mini martini glasses, offering a complete exploration of its evolution.

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

The Oaxaca Old Fashioned (RMB138) is a modern classic, invented in the 2000s as a twist on the traditional Old Fashioned.

Instead of whiskey, it features tequila and mezcal, with rich demerara syrup replacing standard sugar.

The Tuxedo’s rendition incorporates aged mezcal, aromatic bitters, and a subtle Mediterranean influence for added depth.

Fish House Milk Punch

The Tuxedo’s Fish House Milk Punch (RMB128) reimagines the historic Fish House Punch, swapping traditional brandy for tea-infused grappa.

Earl Grey tea, peach, citrus, and rum form the base, with a hint of cumin for spice.

The key innovation? Buttermilk washing clarifies the cocktail and mellows the tea’s astringency.

Deepseek Daiquiri

A classic Daiquiri receives a refined treatment at The Tuxedo. Upon consulting DeepSeek for inspiration, the bar crafted the Deepseek Daiquiri (RMB108) using three rums—light, white, and dark—with palm sugar in place of regular sugar.

Fresh lime juice ensures vibrant flavor, while a scented paper infused with homemade eucalyptus perfume and pandan leaves evokes a tropical aroma.

Champs-Élysées

Named after Paris’s iconic avenue, the Champs-Élysées (RMB108) shares similarities with the Sazerac.

The Tuxedo’s take uses Rémy Martin VSOP as the base, substituting green Chartreuse with the French herbal liqueur La Gualoise for a lighter botanical profile.

Fresh lemon juice brightens the drink, while sage and red currant garnish provide an aromatic flourish.

Mosquito

A Pisco-based Mojito riff, the Mosquito (RMB98) is made with daily-fresh grape syrup and lime juice.

Mint is flash-frozen with liquid nitrogen to preserve color and aroma, then shaken with the other ingredients for an intense herbaceousness, resulting in a crisp, refreshing sip.

The green-on-green is completed with a Mexican cucumber garnish.

Salvia & Alaska

Cocktails can be aged in barrels, leather, or clay pots. And at The Tuxedo, also using unconventional methods, including ultrasonic technology.

For the Salvia & Alaska (RMB118), they use white sage wood in their ultrasonic aging—each hour equivalent to a month in a barrel—accelerating the interaction between spirit and wood.

The bar’s interpretation also swaps Chartreuse for La Gualoise, and incorporates an amaro with honey and chrysanthemum notes.

Brooklyn

An amplified take on the classic, The Tuxedo uses Michter’s rye whiskey, homemade pomelo bitters, and pomelo peel for a Brooklyn (RMB128) with a citrusy lift.

Gibson

The Tuxedo’s Gibson (RMB118) deviates from tradition by incorporating umami-rich vermouth, a splash of Manzanilla sherry, and a hint of chili for a savory-dirty martini effect.

The finishing touch? House-smoked pearl onions.

Aerobic Spumoni

Oxygen takes center stage in the Campari-based Aerobic Spumoni (RMB98)—an oxygenation machine purifies and infuses air into the mix, creating an ultra-dense foam, elevating the cocktail’s texture to its peak.

They also incorporate iron ions—a health supplement found in blood—which stabilize the oxygen, further enhancing both texture and presentation.

Bohemian

A modern classic reimagined, the Bohemian (RMB108) blends gin, elderflower, and grapefruit juice, upgraded with ginseng and a rare Czech brandy—nodding to the cocktail’s namesake region.

Fresh Persian red grass adds a final aromatic touch.

Shanghai Cocktail

Born in 1930s Shanghai under French influence, The Tuxedo’s Shanghai Cocktail (RMB108) introduces to the traditional rum base the Gallic ingredients of cognac and French vermouth.

The drink’s red hue is derived from house-made grenadine, crafted from pomegranate juice and rose water, while the cocktail is garnished with a magnolia-like blossom.

Bar SnacksThe Tuxedo’s selection of bar snacks offers a mix of bold flavors and comforting classics.

Highlights include Diced Pig Trotters, braised in aromatic liquor for a rich, gelatinous bite…

… and Hong Kong-Style Indonesian Tossed Noodles, a savory-sweet staple with a satisfying chew.

For spice lovers, the Spicy Explosive Sauce Tofu delivers a punch of heat…

… while the Pork Lard Wontons bring umami depth with their succulent filling.

Pairing SuggestionsTo elevate the experience, try matching cocktails with complementary bites—each pairing designed to enhance both drink and dish.

The Aerobic Spumoni, with its light, frothy texture, contrasts beautifully with the fattiness of the Pork Lard Wontons.

While the Shanghai Cocktail—floral and slightly tart—balances the savory richness of Diced Pig Trotters.

The VibeAt The Tuxedo, every cocktail is a conversation between past and present—a place where history is shaken, stirred, and reimagined.

Crafted with precision, and paired with bold bar snacks, these drinks don’t just taste great—they tell stories.

So take a seat, raise a glass, and let The Tuxedo transport you through time, one reinvented classic at a time.

READ MORE: The Tuxedo: ‘Postmodern Cocktails’ from COA Mixologist

The Tuxedo, 46 Ruijin Er Lu, by Xiangshan Lu, Huangpu District 瑞金二路46号，近香山路

[All images courtesy of The Tuxedo]