BajaNomad

Flavored Tequilas ??

CaboRon - 4-11-2009 at 05:41 AM

We Get Tempted By Tanteo Infused Tequilas
By Chantal Martineau in Drink Up, FeaturedThursday, Apr. 9 2009 @ 2:16PM

We finally got a chance to try the recently launched Tanteo brand of infused tequilas. Now, I know what you're thinking: flavored tequila? Isn't that just a sneeze away from Bacardi Limon? And the answer is: not at all. Or at least not in this case.

Tanteo, which is made of 100% Weber blue agave and comes in japaleņo, chocolate and tropical fruit flavors, is redolent of real ingredients. The jalapeņo has a nose filled with grass and green pepper, while the chocolate is more mole than milk dud--although there is some malt there--with its silky mouthfeel and piquant finish. The tropical fruit is all flowers on the nose, but is also hinted with jalapeņo heat, which makes it reminiscent of the fresh-cut mango sprinkled in salt and pepper you get on the street in Mexico. In all cases, but especially with the jalapeņo, which is the most popular of the three, the heat from the pepper fuses with the heat from the alcohol, causing your brain to process the two simultaneously so you don't end up overwhelmed by either.

Tanteo is only allowed to exist because the Consejo Regular de Tequila, a government body in Mexico that regulates tequila the way the French regulate wine, ruled in 2006 that tequilas could be infused. It makes for a decent sipping tequila but is designed to be mixed into c-cktails, like this margarita:

Margarita Tanteo

1.75 oz Tanteo Jalapeņo
0.75 oz Grand Marnier
1.5 oz fresh lime juice
0.5 oz agave nectar
4 lime wedges

In a shaker, muddle lime wedges and agave nectar. Add remaining ingredients and ice. Shake and finely strain. Serve in a chilled margarita glass or over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Cypress - 4-11-2009 at 06:06 AM

Why not? Had some banana flavored moonshine recently.:biggrin:

Marie-Rose - 4-11-2009 at 11:58 AM

What is agave nectar:?::?:

Bajahowodd - 4-11-2009 at 12:10 PM

I suppose I shouldn't comment until I taste it, but it just seems wrong. Flavoring vodka makes sense because vodka is almost devoid of taste. But to flavor 100% blue agave tequila? I don't even use 100% if I'm making maragritas because I feel it's a waste of good sipping tequila.

Kell-Baja - 4-11-2009 at 03:58 PM

YUM!!

Gaucho - 4-11-2009 at 04:01 PM

Sounds good to me! Is it imported or do I get to plan a trip south?

Japaleņo Tequila?

Dave - 4-11-2009 at 04:37 PM

Why am I not surprised? Mexicans put chiles in every friggin thing. It's why I love the cuisine... So diverse. :rolleyes:

jodiego - 4-11-2009 at 06:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marie-Rose
What is agave nectar:?::?:


Agave Nectar is an all natural organic liquid sweetener that comes from the Blue Agave plants in Mexico. It's very similar to a cactus. It mellows the "bite" from pure lime juice. I have purchased it in bulk at People's in OB and Henry's market has it in a squeeze bottle. Costs a little more than honey. A friend of mine shared his almond flavored tequila with me several months ago. I didn't get the brand but I will be sharing with him again this weekend and will make a note of it. Salud.

[Edited on 4-12-2009 by jodiego]

BajaNomad - 4-11-2009 at 11:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jodiego
Quote:
Originally posted by Marie-Rose
What is agave nectar:?::?:


Agave Nectar is an all natural organic liquid sweetener that comes from the Blue Agave plants in Mexico. It's very similar to a cactus. It mellows the "bite" from pure lime juice. I have purchased it in bulk at People's in OB and Henry's market has it in a squeeze bottle. Costs a little more than honey. A friend of mine shared his almond flavored tequila with me several months ago. I didn't get the brand but I will be sharing with him again this weekend and will make a note of it. Salud.

[Edited on 4-12-2009 by jodiego]


There are different brands that label themselves either Agave Sweetener or Agave Nectar. My understanding is there are fewer than a handful producers currently.

We've purchased the Trader Joe's house brand frequently. Right around the cost of honey (and somewhat similar in taste/sweetness/etc). I saw a brand that was of interest to me today at Eli's market in San Diego:
http://www.madhavahoney.com/agave.htm

I think the TJ's house brand is from this supplier - as one week they had this on the shelf instead of the house brand:
http://www.wholesomesweeteners.com/brands/Wholesome_Sweetene...

-
Doug

Udo - 4-12-2009 at 12:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
Why not? Had some banana flavored moonshine recently.:biggrin:


I'm in...where do I find it?

Cypress - 4-12-2009 at 03:02 PM

udowinkler, Down on the bayou.:)

Bajahowodd - 4-12-2009 at 03:45 PM

The chile thing, only recently have Takis been available widespread in SOCAL. Always bothered me that so many of the munchies we enjoyed down South, even those made by the big guys like Frito-Lay, were not to be found stateside.

Almond

bajaguy - 4-12-2009 at 04:21 PM

I have a great almond flavored tequila.....smooth and delicious. made for sipping........however I can't remember the name........bought it in Winnemucca, NV.

Ford - 4-12-2009 at 04:58 PM

La Pinta Pommegrante Tequila is Awsome! Put over ice with a squeeze of lime!

Bajahowodd - 4-12-2009 at 05:09 PM

Peach flavored Cutty Sark, anyone?:P

Cypress - 4-13-2009 at 12:49 PM

Bajahowodd! Good point!!!:bounce::bounce:

rcbajito - 4-14-2009 at 06:56 PM

Hola a todos Los Nomadas. Long time lurker and this convertation about flavored tequilas
finaly gave me the courage to come out. And help bajaguy with the name of the almond flavor tequila is "Crema de Almendrado" and is made by Orendain just like bajaguy said is for sipping. Keep up the good work that all you nomadas do
so well helping all your fellow nomada. And remenber " No matter where you go
when you get there. There you are"

bajaguy - 4-14-2009 at 07:20 PM

Thank you, rcbajito!!!!! and welcome. Please do not lurk anymore. Jump in with both feet!!!