One of the best ways to add a little extra oomph to a blank-slate spirit is to make an infusion — that is, allow fruits, vegetables, roots or flowers to macerate, allowing their flavors to leach into the liquid in which they linger.
Buy the thing about macerating is… it takes time. And today is Friday. Time’s up, people. By 5 p.m. or so, if you’re clamoring for a cocktail, patience will not be at the top of your priority list.
Years ago, “flavored” spirits were a bit catch-as-catch-can as far a quality went. Some were decent; some not so much. But the emergence of a vibrant craft spirits scene, bartenders who treat cocktails like an epicurean extension of the restaurant kitchen and better sourcing of ingredients over the years has created a more vibrant (and competitive) playing field for the infused spirits category. In other words, if it doesn’t taste great? No one’s going to waste their time because there are many other excellent options.
One such player in the arena is 21Seeds, a tequila brand started by three female tequila-loving compatriots: two sisters, Kat Hantas (who’d spent some time infusing her own home-grown tequila versions) and Nicole Hantas-Emanuel, and their friend, Sarika Singh. They launched their idea in 2019; by 2021, it caught the eye of spirits giant Diageo, who acquired the brand for a cool $160 million. If it’s good enough for them…
The thing that makes each of the versions stand out is the use of actual fruit juice in the mix (and no high-fructose corn syrup), so the fresh flavors you get are actually… fresh! It makes for a pretty easy up-the-ante on your favorite tequila cocktails, like their easy-peasy Margarita — three ingredients, some ice, boom. Your Friday cocktail awaits. And you find it locally, too: Hit up Race Lane Liquors for the Valencia Orange used in the recipe below, but feel so very free to kick it up with the Cucumber Jalapeño version found at Park Place Wines & Liquors or Hamptons Wine Shoppe. Cheers, friend!
Seed Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz 21Seeds Valencia Orange Infused Tequila
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 lime or orange slice for garnish
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Use the squeezed out lime rind to dampen the edges of a double rocks glass. Dip the wet rim in sea salt. Add ice to the glass.
- Shake well, for 10 to 15 seconds (the 21Seeds folks opt for 30, but you do you, or them, or us) or until well-chilled and a little frothy.
- Strain into the glass. Garnish with an orange or lime slice. Cheers!
