La Perla
A balanced tequila and sherry cocktail with pear liqueur that drinks dry, nutty, and quietly elegant.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Reposado tequila
- 1 1/2 oz Manzanilla sherry
- 3/4 oz Mathilde Poire pear liqueur
Story
After asking for an up tequila cocktail, you got a range of styles instead of just Margarita riffs. This was the drink I suggested when the conversation moved toward something more elegant and nuanced. I specifically referenced Audrey Saunders’ original as a benchmark because the combination of reposado tequila, manzanilla sherry, and pear liqueur creates a profile that feels layered without becoming heavy or overly sweet.
Method
- Chill a coupe thoroughly.
- Add tequila, sherry, and pear liqueur to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until chilled and lightly diluted.
- Strain into the chilled coupe.
- Express a lemon twist over the surface and garnish.
Notes
- “Mathilde Poire pear liqueur” was explicitly named in the original recommendation and preserved in spirits for catalog completeness.