Skurnik Spirits 101: Mexican Distillates- The Connectivity of Cocktails

Mexican Distillates- The Connectivity of Cocktails

From the valleys of Oaxaca to the Jalisco highlands, the deserts of Chihuahua to the vibrant verandas of Mexico City, the spirits of Mexico are growing more and more robust in reception, reputation, and available variety. Cocktails offer a bridge between these artisanal spirits and some of our other favorite ingredients from around the world.

Paloma

• 1.5 oz Casco Viejo Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz Giffard Pamplemousse
• .5 oz Lime Juice
• Pinch of salt
• 3 oz Fever Tree Tonic

In a highball combine first four ingredients.

Add ice and tonic and stir lightly to incorporate. 

Garnish with a lime wedge.

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

• 1.5 oz Casco Viejo Reposado
• .5 oz Nuestra Soledad San Luis del Rio Mezcal
• 1 tsp J.M Sirop de Canne
• 2 dash Angostura Bitters

In a rocks glass, combine ingredients over a large ice sphere. (This drink can also be mixed in a stirring glass with regular ice.)

Garnish with an orange twist, expressing the twist over the glass and a lit match to singe the oils.

THE SPIRITS:

Crème de Pamplemousse Rose (Pink Grapefruit), Giffard

• A highlight of Giffard’s Specialty range of classic liqueurs and Crème de fruits which aim to achieve the uncompromised taste of whole, natural fruits

• Fresh, pink grapefruit peels are steam distilled at Giffard’s Loire Valley distillery to extract the bright, aromatic essential oils contained within

• Aromas of freshly zested peel and a hint of spicy black pepper prime the palate for a full range of pink grapefruit–from fresh juice to candied peel, naturally balanced by the grapefruit’s inherent acidity

• 16% ABV

 

Truly a bartender’s dream, Giffard’s Crème de Pamplemousse Rose is the perfect liqueur to bolster fresh grapefruit juice–or to replace it all together!

Tequila Blanco, Casco Viejo

• Maestra Tequilera Elena Camarena
• Produced in Arandas, Jalisco
• Single estate-grown at over 7,000 ft elevation
• 100% Blue Weber (Agave tequilana)
• Practicing sustainable agriculture & water renewal
• First net zero carbon impact distillery in Mexico
• Cooked in brick ovens, crushed with roller mill, fermented in open air wooden tanks
• Distilled twice using traditional copper pot stills
• Pink peppercorn, grapefruit, white flowers, pepper, tropical fruit
• 40% ABV

‘San Luis’, Mezcal, Nuestra Soledad

• Produced in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca; distilled by Maestro Mezcalero Rafael Mendez Cruz

• 100% Espadín (Agave angustifolia) grown at over 7,000 ft elevation

• Practicing sustainable agriculture

• The agave is cooked in conical earthen oven, milled by stone tahona, and fermented in wooden tanks

• Distilled twice using traditional copper pot stills

• Aromas of poblano pepper, black pepper, and mesquite precede a palate which echoes the nose with bold mesquite, black pepper, and umami-rich green vegetation.

• 47% ABV (alcohol will vary from batch to batch)