Je Gin & Tonic and Vodka Tonic take up most of the real estate in the “and tonic” category, but this simple drink model is ripe for experimentation. Change up your base spirit or call on a unique tonic and you can drastically alter the outcome of the cocktail.
In recent years we’ve seen the rise of tequila and rum tonics, and we’ve seen the proliferation of craft tonics, giving drinkers a seemingly limitless arsenal when it comes to mixing alcohol with rum. tonic. But such experimentation has yet to reach the finish line, as evidenced by the Tonic Pechugaa refreshing cocktail served at Cabuya, the restaurant and bar that sits at the top of the new Andaz Mexico Condesa.
The hotel is located in one of Mexico City’s liveliest areas, where good drinks are easy to find. Cabuya is therefore doing its part to ensure that customers and locals alike can score quality cocktails inside its doors.
The Pechuga Tonic begins with pechuga mezcal, a type of mezcal in which a raw chicken or turkey breast is suspended inside the still during distillation – pechuga means “breast” in Spanish. From there it includes Cointreau, peach liqueur, tangerine juice and tonic water.
The Pechuga Tonic is inspired by the flavors of Mexico, says Rocco Luna, the bar supervisor at Andaz Mexico City Condesa. “I think we have a wide variety of spirits and I’m very proud of the flavors we can find in Mexico. I believe this cocktail sums up the freshness and flavors of the country in a simple yet tasty drink.
Luna acknowledges that it’s relatively rare to use pechuga mezcal in cocktails, as many people choose to sip the spirit straight. But he likes that its complex, savory flavor sets it apart from more common mezcal varieties, like espadin. And while Luna prefers using tangerine juice to add a bit more sweetness to the drink, he says you can substitute freshly squeezed orange juice without changing the flavor too much if you can’t easily find tangerines where you live. live.
Get the recipe for Pechuga Tonic
The Pechuga Tonic is bright and citrusy, with all the flavor notes you want in a tall glass. The mezcal provides a solid foundation for the other ingredients to stand on, and just when the Cointreau starts to lead you in the direction of a margarita, peach liqueur and tangerine take things in a new direction. The sparkling tonic brings a touch of bitterness to round out the flavors and lengthens the drink for extra refreshment.
THE Gin and tonic isn’t going anywhere, but the Pechuga Tonic deserves a spot in your summer rotation. It’s the perfect line between an interesting craft cocktail and an easy DIY recipe you can make at home. You don’t even need shaker boxes. Once you have acquired the ingredients, you can prepare the drink directly in your glass.
