Salubrious Syrup Cocktails

Jose Cuervo, as you may know, the Mexican tequila company that has been quietly producing tequila for nearly 250 years, sent me a sampling of their wares the other day. I’ve been drinking mostly rum lately. I know, why drink rum in the freeze of winter? But in a hot toddy, rum can be rather enticing. At any rate, the samples arrived and I was stunned how delicious these products taste.

The Reserve de la Familia is stunning. This is not like your “lick the salt, shoot the tequila, bite the lime, lose your mind” kind of drink. The final product is the result of long, careful aging in oak. The reserve is a contemplative drink, meant to be enjoyed slowly with reverence in a brandy snifter. Key word here is slowly.

Drinking the reserve reminds me of drinking the finest cognac. At more than $100 dollars per bottle, I wouldn’t want to suck it down without at least thinking about what I am drinking!

These following cocktails tell a story of time, attention and quality. Enjoy!

The Spaghetti Western Cocktail

• 2 shots Jose Cuervo Tradicional Tequila (Reposado)
• 1 scant splash Coffee de Oh Yeah syrup
• Club soda
• Bitter End Mexican Mole Bitters

1. Add tequila and syrup to a mixing glass.
2. Top with club soda and mix, add two drops of Bitter End Mexican Mole Bitters to finish.
3. Serve straight, no ice, although you may chill the tequila slightly before straining into a shot glass to be drunk quickly.

Red Dust Cocktail

• 2 shots Jose Cuervo Platino Tequila
• 1 scant splash Jo Snow Cardamom Rose Water syrup
• Bittercube Blackstrap Bitters

1. Mix tequila and syrup in cocktail shaker.
2. Add exactly 3 drops of bitters.
3. Add a few cubes of ice and slurp.

Forest of Infamy Cocktail

• 2 shots Jose Cuervo Reserve De La Familia Tequila
• 1 scant splash Jo Snow Ginger Passion Fruit syrup

1. Pour tequila and syrup over ice.
2. Stir and strain into a brandy snifter.

Dark and Bright Cocktail

• 2 shots Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
• 1 scant drop Hibiscus Basil orange blossom syrup
• 4 drops Bittercube Bolivar Bitters
• 4 drops Bittercube Orange Bitters

1. Add tequila and syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add a drop or two of the syrup, then bitters.
3. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass with 3 ice cubes.

Candy Says Cocktail (influenced by the Velvet Underground)

• 2 shots Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila
• Splash Jo Snow tangerine lavender honey syrup
• 4 drops Bittercube Bolivar Bitters
• Q-Tonic water

1. Add tequila, syrup and bitters to a cocktail shaker with some ice.
2. Shake, strain into a tall glass, top with tonic water.