The Devil and I go way back. Growing up, we ran into each other off and on at elementary school, mostly at the principal’s office. It wasn’t until my junior year in high school when I got a car and a girlfriend that we became BFFs, though. Since then, we’ve had many adventures together. The latest came when Chamuco’s Tequila CEO Mark Howard gave me a bottle of the company’s reposado to review. From the snazzy box to the handmade artisan bottle and all the way to the taste, my old buddy’s touch is definitely evident.
Chamuco’s (Spanish for “devil”) is what happens when a caricaturist, a movie director, and a young businessman create their own tequila. At first it was just a novelty to share with friends but in the last ten years or so it’s grown into a full-blown brand. It’s made from 100% blue agave, aged in white oak barrels, and produced in a town named San Francisco de Asis in Jalisco, Mexico.
That’s where it’s poured into hand-blown vintage-style bottles but while all of the artistry that goes into containing the stuff is devilishly cool, we all know the real test is sipping it. Let me tell you, Chamuco’s did not disappoint. Not only was it smooth and sweet, it also bore flavors of fruit, smoke, and a tiny touch of burning. Even the tequila haters among my barbecue crew were pleasantly surprised by the smoothness.
With Cinqo de Mayo coming up in less than a week, I also thought it’d be a good idea to hunt down some margarita recipes to get the best use out of the Devil’s firewater. If you’re interested in trying this smooth sexy beast for yourself, you can buy it here.
- 1 1/2 ounce tequila
- 3/4 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce blue agave nectar and water (mixed)
- Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into the cocktail glass of your choice.
- 1 1/4 ounce tequila
- 1/4 ounce triple sec
- 1 1/2 ounce coconut milk
- 1/2 ounce mango puree or mango juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- Combine the ingredients in an ice-filled shaker.
- Shake well
- Strain it into a glass over ice.
- 1 ounce Grand Marnier liqueur
- 1½ ounce tequila
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker full of ice.
- Shake well.
- Strain it into a glass on the rocks.
- 3 1/2 cups strawberries
- 2 1/2 cups crushed ice
- 1/2 cup tequila
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons Cointreau
- Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the finished margaritas into four large glasses, garnish with lime, and serve ASAP.
- 1/2 ounce tequila
- 1/2 ounce sambuca
- hot sauce (to taste)
- Pour the sambuca into a shot glass.
- Carefully add a layer of the hot sauce using a spoon.
- Layer the tequila on top and serve.
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Comments
Thank you for this article, Mark. I went to the website and the “contact” section was non-functional. I would love to know where I can buy Chamuco in my area (central Massachusetts). If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Steve
I’m really happy you liked it, Stephen. I ran into that problem too. The best I could come up with was this link, which is pretty comprehensive and I think it had some listings for your neck of the woods: http://1000corks.com/wine/Chamucos-Tequila
Hope that helps!
Mark
You’ve painted a great picture in my mind of this tequila drinking experience, I was practically drooling while reading. I have got to try that coconut mango margarita, what an interesting combo! And that flatliner shot appears to be pretty aptly named, thanks for the mixology inspiration.