We’re already big fans of Ocho tequila – Mr Tomas Estes puts a lot of love into his quality artisanal product. So when we heard about his new offering, Ocho Curado, we were intrigued to see what he had come up with this time.
The answer is something that’s a simple idea, beautifully created and very, very tasty indeed.
Infused spirits are nothing new. Indeed, Tomas drew his inspiration from the lemon and chilli- flavoured vodkas he had enjoyed at the Russian restaurant Nikita in London back in 1978. He tried experimenting with the same idea using tequila and natural ingredients such as cinnamon, vanilla, coffee beans, dried or fresh chillis and fresh fruit. These he sold in his Amsterdam Cafe Pacifico. But the true simplicity of this product is that it takes the already excellent 100% pure agave tequila and infuses it with 100% cooked agave. Genius.
It has a beautifully fresh and inviting aroma of the great outdoors – a sensation that continues with a subtly earthy taste. It also manages to be slightly sweet and gently firey at the same time. Throw in the fact it has a rich texture and we’re very happy indeed. It’s a delight to sip neat but of course, it cries out for a little mixing and shaking too. We especially liked it in La Cura (The Cure) created by Blake Perrow with Dre Masso, while Can’t Act Responsibly by Brian Silva is in the urgent section of our to-do list.
Recipes
La Cura (The Cure)
50ml Ocho Curado
10ml Mandarin Napoleon
10ml white cacao
2 drops orange bitters
Method
Swirl ingredients in a Boston shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a mandarin segment on a cocktail stick dropped into the glass.
Created by Blake Perrow in collaboration with Dre Masso, La Perla, Covent Garden
Can’t Act Responsibly
40ml Ocho Curado
15ml Dry Martini
15ml Southern Comfort
5ml Mezcal Del Maguey Vida
Juice of a lime squeeze
Method
Swirl ingredients in a Boston shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange peel.
Created by Brian Silva, 5 Hertford Street, Mayfair
40% ABV, £22.95 for a 70cl bottle. Available from masterofmalt.com
