(Editor’s note: This story was initially published on May 4 and has been updated for Mexican Independence Day on September 16.)
I’ll make this short and sweet, like the drink you should consume during Hispanic Heritage Month.
I am primarily a whiskey drinker. Sometimes it’s bourbon, sometimes it’s scotch. Sometimes it’s rye, sometimes it’s wheated. From Tennessee, Japan, France and California … doesn’t matter, I’m choosing whiskey.
So on this day, of all days, you'd think I’d deviate. Right? Not a chance.
Do me a favor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Canelo Alvarez is fighting on the 30th, the weather on the east and west coast is hovering in the 70s-80s and you deserve a sweet and stiff co*cktail, preferably one with just a few ingredients all from Mexico and the ability to DIY.
Recipe: Mexican Old Fashioned a.k.a Corn on the Cob
Serve:An old fashioned or rocks glass
Garnish:Lemon or orange twist
Ingredients:
2.0 oz — Abasolo El Whisky de Mèxico (Balcones Blue Corn Whiskey will work here too)
0.5 oz — Nixta Licor de Elote (corn liqueur — can go to 0.75 if you want a bolder taste)
3 dashes of bitters
Make:Place the corn whiskey, Nixta and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice and stir. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon or orange twist.
A few things here.
This tastes like spiked sweet cornbread, and it’s dangerous to drink because the Abasolo is low-ish on ABV (86%) and the Nixta is basically alcoholic corn syrup. That’s not a negative, it’s delicious.
Again, I love DIY co*cktails. Any corn whiskey should run no more than $35. Nixta isn’t a common liqueur, so go to an actual liquor store or specialty spirit shop. And I know you have bitters, I have faith in you.
I wouldn’t classify this as a “Mexican” drink, but it’s elevating a classic co*cktail by using items of Mexico. It’s a fun drink, and it’s good that I can consume this compared to Cadillac margaritas with salt on the rim. (Okay, that does sound delicious…might have to make one)
By the way, there is a non-whiskey drink I’d recommend that still works in the lane of this co*cktail. How about a Mezcal Old Fashioned a.k.a. Our House co*cktail?
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