The Gin & Tonic and Vodka Tonic take up many of the actual property within the “and tonic” class, however this straightforward drink template is ripe for experimentation. Swap up your base spirit, or enlist a singular tonic, and you’ll drastically alter the 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 with regards 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 positioned in considered one of Mexico Metropolis’s most vibrant neighborhoods, the place good drinks are straightforward to seek out. So Cabuya does its half to make sure company and locals can rating high quality cocktails inside its doorways.
The Pechuga Tonic begins with pechuga mezcal, a sort of mezcal wherein a uncooked hen or turkey breast is hung contained in the nonetheless throughout distillation — pechuga means “breast” in Spanish. From there, it contains 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 we’ve got all kinds of spirits, and I’m very pleased with the flavors we’re capable of finding in Mexico. I consider 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 convey slightly extra sweetness to the drink, he says you’ll be able to substitute fresh-squeezed orange juice with out altering the flavour an excessive amount of should you 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 gives 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 additional refreshment.
The Gin & Tonic isn’t going wherever, however the Pechuga Tonic deserves a spot in your summer time rotation. It walks the right line between attention-grabbing craft cocktail and simple, DIY recipe you may make at residence. You don’t even want shaker tins. When you’ve acquired the elements, you may make the drink straight in your glass.
