Tequila is typically not my drink of choice. I can't take the inevitable burn without flashbacks of college chants of "1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila ..." In addition, the main tequila concoction, margaritas, mostly come with too much sweet and too much sour for that pucker-face drink to quench my palete.
Coffee, on the other hand, is a daily imperative. That dark steaming liquid in my tightly gripped travel mug helps me meander through morning emails and slowly lets the day heat up as the liquid cools. Naturally, this old faithful cup of joe would be the perfect way to reintroduce me to the tequila loving fold on a whole new level.
In order to really appreciate the flavors, I felt I needed to do some research; so I read the label on the smoky bottle. There I learned that the blend allows for versatility in consumption. Not only can you drink Patron XO Cafe straight up, on the rocks, or blended in a cocktail, but there are endless possibilities when it comes to delectable desserts and gourmet cooking.
I further perused the website (PatronSpirits.com) as suggested and now know that the tequila is produced and blended based on the recipe from a small family owned distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. With no room for anything less than perfection, they are known for producing the highest quality agave tequila of its type. Finally, I had the knowledge to call myself a connoisseur and it was off to tasting.
At first sniff I was introduced to the pure coffee essence and a mellow balance of the tequila that wasn't overbearing. Although the concept was to create an entirely new, dry taste rather than the overly sweet flavor generally associated with a coffee liqueur, it did seem rather sweet to me; but came with the warm hint of coffee beans and is much less syrupy than other coffee liqueurs. It went down smooth, and while the warm tequila rush was present, there was no uncontrollable shudder and the urgent grasping for my "training wheels." Still, I needed to experiment more to really appreciate its versatility.
There were recipes on the bottle that looked really good, but I wanted to start small. I simply poured a shot of Patron XO Cafe over ice and filled the rest of the tumbler with cola. This is where I can truly say I found my draw to this blend. The coffee essence I love so much pushed through the bubbles and as if pausing for a dramatic entrance, a subtle hint of tequila greeted my taste buds. This was no quick shot to force the night into full throttle, this was a sophisticated jazz club cocktail where the lights are dimmed and the warm rush feels cool.
Here are some of my favorite new sipping opportunities:
Cafe Royal
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz. Patron XO Cafe
- Strong Brewed Coffee
- Freshly Whipped Cream
- Cocoa Powder
Preparation:
1. In a heated coffee mug add Patron XO Cafe.
2. Fill within one inch with coffee.
3. Top with freshly whipped cream.
4. Garnish with cocoa powder.
XO Prediction
Ingredients: - 2 Scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 1/2 oz. Patron XO Cafe
- Coca-Cola
- Whipped cream
- Cherry
Preparation:
1. Scoop ice cream into glass.
2. Fill up with Coke.
3. Add whipping cream.
4. Garnish with a cherry and chocolate syrup.
For more cocktail recipes from Patron visit, PatronTequila.com.
Try another Tequila recipe from Nobu
