Yeyo Tequila and the Executive Sunrise

January 13, 2011/ Craft Cocktails

Executive Sunrise:

1.5 oz tequila (Yeyo)
4 oz orange juice (blood oranges)
2 tsp creme de cassis (Mathilde)

Almost fill collins glass with ice cubes. Add tequila and orange juice and stir well. Add cassis.

The number of new high quality tequilas currently available is simply amazing. One of the first new entrants to the field that we had the opportunity to experiment with was Yeyo Tequila imported from a 4th generation master distiller in Jalisco, (relatively) locally through Beaverton, OR. The styling and branding reminded us of something a young-executive would enjoy, hence the Executive Sunrise from Gary Regan's Bartenders Bible. The recipe calls for regular orange juice, but all we had on hand was blood oranges (moros) so a darker sunrise (in true Portland fashion) was in order. The blood oranges have a bit more tartness than traditional oranges that went very well with the slightly sweet and tangy Mathilde Creme de Cassis. The tequila is very mixable, with a very smooth sip and pleasant briny peppery finish. Yeyo tequila is also quite drinkable neat, with little burn (especially for a silver) and full agave flavor.

The Ringer- 1.5 oz Herradura Silver tequila, 1 oz. Cocchi Americano, .75 oz lemon juice, .25 oz cinnamon spiced agave syrup

November 18, 2010/ Craft Cocktails

The Ringer:

1.5 oz. Tequila (Herradura Silver)
1 oz. Cocchi Americano
.75 oz lemon juice
.25 oz cinnamon spiced agave simple syrup *(recipe below)
Lemon zest

Shake all ingredients over ice. Double strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon zest.

While the bottles and branding may have changed (the topmost picture is the old bottle design), Herradura Silver remains a top choice for mixing when it comes to tequila cocktails. The Silver is aged 45 days, and results in a mild agave vegetal spirit, that is not overly grassy or oily. The slightly woody flavors imparted from the brief aging are heightened with the addition of the spiced raw agave syrup. The lemon juice provided contrast and assisted in pulling out smokier notes not first apparent. The Cocchi stretched an excellent canvas for the other ingredients, and contributed its own handful of botanicals . Dry vermouth can be substituted for the Cocchi for those not lucky enough to have access to it, though it adds some sweetness so you may have to adjust the spiced agave syrup accordingly (Recipe assumes 1:1 water:agave ratio). This cocktail is a good showcase for a solid Joven (Silver) tequila that demonstrates its mixability and accesibility.

*Cinnamon Spiced Agave Syrup

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup raw agave syrup

Warm mixture in microwave. Steep 1 broken ceylon stick for 2-5 minutes. Strain. Bottle. Store in fridge. Lasts 7-10 days.