Tag Archives: Pomegranate

901 Tequila: It’s Low Calorie Tea-quila Time

901 Tequila Neat - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Pageantry, spectacle and flickers of cameras surround celebrities pushing them further into the limelight, but when celebrities hype liquor brands the character of the spirit becomes a little unclear.  The question arises as to whether the spirit’s quality stands solid or if the value is so lacking that it must have the backing of celebrity to push sales through the market.  Such is the case with 901 Tequila.  Celebrity publicizes it, tradition crafts it.  Just like any celebrity, every day Joe on the street or spirit in a bottle, getting to know it is familiarizing oneself with it personally.

901 Tequila Bottle - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin901 Tequila comes off grassy, light with some spice, yet unoriginal and ordinary.  There is slight sharpness in the lingering finish.  This leaves the chest with an immediate warming sensation.  A small amount of vanilla disappears a split second after the initial trace of its existence is detected.  Tattle tale tequila bite is very evident with every sip.  Sweetness at the start, but it does not stay consistent with the follow through.  Thin, without much body.  Some roundness in character, but not a huge amount of depth.  901 would most likely make good generic tequila cocktails, but add nothing to premium signature cocktails as namesake. 

What I do like about non-descript silver tequilas is the versatility.  Vodkas have ruled the cocktail scene for quite a while for good reason.  Vodka fades into the background allowing the consumer to combine any number of mixers into a cocktail glass and drink freely without tasting the base spirit.  Silver tequilas change things a bit by adding a hint of vanilla and kick without bringing too much alcohol burn to the nose. 

901 Tea-quila Time – created by Cheri Loughlin

901 Tea-quila Time - created by Cheri Loughlin - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin1-1/2 ounce 901 Tequila

4 ounces POM Light Pomegranate Hibiscus Green Tea

Build over ice in a highball glass. 

While this is virtually unremarkable as far as layering of a cocktail, it is light and refreshing.  The slight flavor of agave tequila comes through under the tea.  Of course bumping the tequila up a notch to 2 ounces would bring the flavor up just a wee bit more, but not very much since the character of the tequila runs faint as it is.  The purpose here isn’t strong tequila flavor.  901 Silver’s use seems to be that of mixer.    The real gem in this cocktail is the low calorie content.  The four ounces of POM Light Green Tea contains only 18 calories.  On average tequila comes in at around 96 calories for 1.5 ounces.  Total calories for the 901 Tea-quila Time cocktail: 114

As is the case of this 901 Tequila or any other celebrity status spirit, sample it for yourself.  See if you like it, but don’t just follow the crowd because some celebrity says so or reviewer says so for that matter.  It does not make a difference who says something tastes good or what the price is on a bottle.  The deciding factor should be if you like what flows from the bottle into your glass.

901 Tequila sample for review courtesy representatives of 901 Tequila. 

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Fall in Love with The Spirit of Thailand this Valentine’s Day

Whether you dine in or dine out, spice up the occasion with exotic richness with the amazing new Thai spirit created from sugar cane, rice and infused with a special blend of herbs and spices indigenous to Thailand.  The secretive formula of Mekhong delivers a distinctive rounded texture, delightful aroma and smooth, balanced finish.  This golden spirit is idea for fascinating and flavorful cocktails. 

Mekhong is golden, dark amber and reddish copper in appearance with flavors and aromas that lean toward both spicy and sweet.  The underlying flavors hint at ginger, honey, toffee, vanilla, floral, herbs and a tinge of citrus.  The trendiest restaurants, bars and night clubs have already picked up on the seductive flavor of Mekhong.  The popular SoHo restaurant, Elizabeth, serves up the signature Redrum cocktail which is topped off with a red rose petal; the perfect touch for Valentine’s Day. 

Redrum

Created by John Freeman

2-1/2 measures Mekhong

1/2 cap Rose Syrup

6 Brandied Cherries

1 measure Egg Whites

1/2 measure Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 measure Simple Syrup

Grated Nutmeg

Rose Petal

Coat martini glass with rose syrup. Discard excess. Muddle brandy cherries and add egg whites. Add fresh lime juice, simple syrup and shake without ice. Add ice and Mekhong. Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into martini glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg and rose petal.

My Funny Valentine

2 measures Mekhong

1/4 Fresh Lemon – juiced

1/2 packet Sugar

Splash Hazelnut Liqueur

Sugar

Rim martini glass with lemon and dip into sugar. Set aside. Squeeze lemon and remaining ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared glass.

Cupid’s Seeds of Love Martini

2 measures Mekhong

1 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 Pomegranate Fruit

3/4 measure Simple Syrup

Pomegranate Seeds Garnish

Muddle pomegranate flesh and simple syrup in mixing glass. Add remaining liquids with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Be Mine Martini

3 measures Mekhong

1 measure Sweet Vermouth

3/4 measure Benedictine

Orange Twist & Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake or stir according to preference until liquids are chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange twist and maraschino cherry.

Cupid’s Indulgence

1-1/2 measures Vanilla Vodka

1/2 measure Mekhong

1/2 measure Irish Cream

1/2 teaspoon Chocolate Syrup

Drizzle chocolate syrup in chilled cocktail glass. Set aside. Place remaining liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared cocktail glass.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.