Several months ago we took a look at the Tanteo Tequila lineup of jalepeno, tropical and chocolate infused blanco tequilas. Since then we’ve been wondering about the potential of the product line in cocktails.

With notes of agave and sweetness on the nose and just the right amount of hints of spice, black pepper and cilantro embodied in each sip, it’s one of those products that can add life and a bit of kick to cocktails. While it has notes of spice and a significant kick, the Tanteo Jalepeno tequila works differently in cocktails than muddling actual jalepeno in cocktails. In small amounts such as 3/4 of an ounce it gives cocktails a nice spicy flavor that lies within each sip without overpowering the cocktail.

Without any further ado, here a few cocktails utilzing Tanteo Jalepeno Tequila as a component.

“The Blackberry Bliss”-

½ oz Tanteo Jalapeno
2oz Bombay Gin
¼ Lime Juice
Bar spoon Agave Nectar
¼ Acai Veev
Muddled Blackberries

“The Smokey Pom”-

Rinse a chilled Coupe Cocktail Glass with Tanteo Jalepeno Tequila

2oz Metaxa 5 Year
1/2 oz St. Germains Elderflower
1/2 oz Mezcal(Scorpion was used)
Muddled Cucumber
1/2 oz Pom Juice

“Outside Rangoon”-
2 oz Rangpur Gin
3-5 Mint Leaves
1oz Simple Syrup
A small amount of Tanteo Jalapeno Infused Tequila(Less than a ¼ oz)
¼ Fresh Lime Juice
Muddle Mint Leaves and Simple Syrup
Add rest of ingredients, shake with ice.
Serve in chilled martini glass.

Combier-Years Past

As we’re always continuously exploring the spirits world, we’re always on the look out for a new or in this case old spirit to work with. In this edition of A Muddled Thought’s Cocktail Spirit Highlight we’re going to take a step back about a 175 years to France and the little village of Saumur, where Combier has it’s origins. A baker by the name of Jean-Baptiste Combier wanted to create a new flavor that hadn’t been tried before. After several years of experimenting with various spices, sweet and bitter West Indies Orange peels and an alcohol base he perfected what would become known as Combier Liqueur D’Orange. Using a triple distillation process, Combier had created the original triple sec. Using the same recipe as Jean-Baptiste had created in 1834, Combier continues to make a great citrus spirit to be used in all types of cocktails.

The Modern Version of Combier. Welcome Back.

With such a versatile ingredient that incorporates flavors of orange, spice and hints of vanilla we wanted to see what cocktails we could create with it.
Sunrise in Athens

1 oz Metaxa 5 Year
1/2 oz Combier Orange Liquor
1 1/2 oz Mount Gay Rum Silver Eclipse White Rum
Shake with Ice

Serve in Champagne Flute, Top off with Champagne

Sunrise in Athens. A Combination of Metaxa 5 Year, Combier Orange Liquor, Mount Gay Silver Eclipse Rum, Topped with Champagne.

We also tried Combier in a modified margarita along with some other ingredients to create a drink with a slightly different flavor profile than your run of mill margarita.

2 oz Corzo Anejo Tequila
¼ oz St. Germain Elderflower
¼ oz Combier
¼ Scorpion Mezcal
1/2 oz Agave Nectar
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
2-3 Dashes Grapefruit Bitters