The Gin & Tonic and Vodka Tonic take up many of the actual property within the “and tonic” class, however this easy drink template is ripe for experimentation. Change up your base spirit, or enlist a novel tonic, and you’ll drastically alter the end result of the cocktail.
In recent times, we’ve witnessed the rise of Tequila Tonics and Rum Tonics, and we’ve seen craft tonics proliferate, giving drinkers a seemingly limitless arsenal relating to mixing spirit with tonic. However such experimentation hasn’t but reached the end line, as evident by the Pechuga Tonic, a refreshing cocktail served at Cabuya, the restaurant and bar that sits atop the newly opened Andaz Mexico Metropolis Condesa.
The lodge is situated in considered one of Mexico Metropolis’s most vibrant neighborhoods, the place good drinks are straightforward to search out. So Cabuya does its half to make sure friends and locals can rating high quality cocktails inside its doorways.
The Pechuga Tonic begins with pechuga mezcal, a kind of mezcal by which a uncooked rooster or turkey breast is hung contained in the nonetheless throughout distillation — pechuga means “breast” in Spanish. From there, it consists of Cointreau, peach liqueur, tangerine juice, and tonic water.
The Pechuga Tonic is impressed by the flavors of Mexico, explains Rocco Luna, the Bar Supervisor at Andaz Mexico Metropolis Condesa. “I feel now we have all kinds of spirits, and I’m very pleased with the flavors we’re capable of finding in Mexico. I imagine this cocktail encapsulates the freshness and flavors of the nation in a easy however flavorful drink.”
Luna acknowledges that it’s comparatively unusual to characteristic pechuga mezcal in cocktails, as many individuals decide to sip the spirit straight. However he likes that its advanced, savory taste units it other than extra frequent mezcal varieties, like espadin. And whereas Luna prefers utilizing tangerine juice to deliver just a little extra sweetness to the drink, he says you may substitute fresh-squeezed orange juice with out altering the flavour an excessive amount of for those who can’t simply discover tangerines the place you reside.
The Pechuga Tonic is vibrant and citrusy, with all the flavour notes you need in a tall drink. The mezcal offers a sturdy base for the opposite elements to face on, and simply when the Cointreau begins to steer you into the path of a Margarita, the peach liqueur and tangerine pull issues again into a brand new path. The bubbly tonic lends a touch of bitterness to spherical out the flavors, and it lengthens the drink for further refreshment.
The Gin & Tonic isn’t going anyplace, however the Pechuga Tonic deserves a spot in your summer season rotation. It walks the right line between attention-grabbing craft cocktail and simple, DIY recipe you can also make at dwelling. You don’t even want shaker tins. When you’ve acquired the elements, you can also make the drink instantly in your glass.
