Naked and Famous

The Naked and Famous is modern cocktail culture's introduction to mezcal and proof that contemporary bartenders can create instant classics. Created in 2011 by Joaquín Simó at New York's Death & Co, this equal-parts cocktail combines mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, and fresh lime juice to create a perfectly balanced, smoky-herbal-bitter-citrus masterpiece. Named after a 1990s alternative rock band, the drink is served in a chilled coupe glass. The Naked and Famous represents the mezcal revolution, Death & Co's influence on modern cocktail culture, and the Last Word cocktail template applied to contemporary ingredients. The drink embodies 21st-century cocktail innovation, the equal-parts cocktail trend, and the introduction of mezcal to craft cocktail audiences. The Naked and Famous' smoky mezcal, herbal Chartreuse, bitter-sweet Aperol, and bright lime create complex, balanced flavor that introduces drinkers to mezcal's agave smoke without overwhelming them. The cocktail demands quality ingredients: good mezcal (not overly smoky), yellow Chartreuse (green is too intense), Aperol, and fresh lime juice. The drink represents modern classic creation, the Death & Co legacy, and the mezcal boom. Whether served at Death & Co or a global craft cocktail bar, the Naked and Famous delivers smoky-herbal sophistication.