Our Favourite Sotol Cocktails That You Seriously Need To Try

TLDR

Sotol cocktails are made using sotol, one of Mexico's signature liquors from agave. This article talks of the history of sotol, the different cocktails you can choose from and how to prep them effortlessly.

Introduction

If you love tequila, then chances are that you are not new to mezcal and sotol. Sotol is newer but is quickly gaining acceptance among many bartenders. It is a unique spirit with earthy qualities that make it prove so versatile as a cocktail ingredient.

What’s The Story Behind Sotol?

Sotol dates back to the time that Northern Mexicans created made a crude, weak beer out of a wild desert shrub nearly a thousand years ago.

While most Mexican spirits such as tequila and raicilla are agave extracts, sotol is majorly made from fermented juice of the Dasylirion Wheeleri plant, also known as sotol or Desert Spoon. 

The production process is however very similar to tequila where agave hearts are cleaned and roasted, shredded and then combined with water to start the fermentation process. Also, the production of sotol is more sustainable than other spirits as the plant grows back after harvesting the piña.

Our Favourite Sotol Cocktail Recipes

Like other spirits that are easily mixed into cocktails, sotol is used in many cocktails by expert mixologists. Bartenders love to experiment with different sotol cocktails to bring new experiences to customers. But, you don't have to be an expert to create a sotol cocktail. Our beautiful cocktail shaker set and unique barware allows you to create professional cocktails from home.

Similar to tequila and mezcal, the traditional sotol is drunk unaged or minimally aged. Sotol blends beautifully with fruit juices and can be comfortably used in cocktails. Let’s look at some of the top sotol cocktails. 

Sotol So Good

This is sotol cocktail kitchen was created by Gilbert of AZ. 

Gilbert's Recipe is below. Simply combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well and strain over more ice in a glass. To add a touch of flare to this cocktail, why not use one of our hand-blown glasses.

Ingredients 

• 1½ oz Sotol por Siempre
• ¾ oz Coconut rum,
• ¾ oz Pineapple juice
• ¾ oz Fresh lime
• ½ oz orgeat syrup (if unavailable sub with simple syrup)

Beatriz

The earthy nature of sotol perfectly complements the floral elderflower liqueur and soft, sweet Cocchi Americano in this elegant sotol cocktail, created by James Simpson in Washington DC. Once properly mixed, stir the ingredients with ice to chill, then strain into a chilled glass.

Ingredients

• 1½ oz. sotol (Espita uses Sotol Por Siempre)
• 1 oz. Cocchi American
• ¼ oz. elderflower liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters

The Dog Fighter

This cocktail was created by the Little Water Cantina in Seatle, Washington. The ingredients are mixed and ice added. The mixture is then shaken until very cold, strained over fresh ice and garnished with lemon wedge and Luxardo maraschino cherry.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Sotol
• 1 oz Tequila,
• ½ oz maraschino,
• ½ oz lemon juice,
• ½ oz Cointreau
• 2-3 dashes peach bitters

La Lechedora

This milk punch is a holiday staple. This was created by Alex Gregg whilst he was in Curadero, San Diego. He gave the drink a Mexican twist by adding a base of sotol. The dry curacao and orange bitters pair very well with the tasting notes of sotol. This is very similar to pairing vanilla with bourbon and brandy in classic milk punches.

To prepare La Lechedora, add all the ingredients to a mixing tin, add ice, shake and strain into a Collins glass and garnish. If you're looking for the right tools for this cocktail, we've got you covered. Take a look at our online shop to find premium barware, glassware and garnishes. 

Ingredients

• 1½ oz. sotol
• ½ oz. dry curaçao
• 2 oz. milk
• ½ oz. simple syrup (1:1)
• 2 dashes orange bitters

Naked In The Desert

This fun and delicious cocktail benefits from the bright orange colour of the Aperol, citrus from the lime and the earthy flavour of the sotol. Created by Diego Valencia, this is a cocktail you will not want to miss.

When preparing the cocktail, all the ingredients are added to a shaker with ice, shaken well and strained into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnished.

Ingredients 

• ¾ oz. sotol
• ¾ oz. Aperol
• ¾ oz. Yellow Chartreuse
• ¾ oz. fresh lime juice

Presidio Old Fashioned

This is an Old Fashioned, but not as you know it. Created by Shailee Weber, the Presidio Old Fashioned combines sotol and tamarind to give a unique and adventurous flavour. Mixing sotol with rye whisky works surprisingly well, and the bitters adds a needed boost of sharpness.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. sotol (Presidio uses Sotol Por Siempre)
• 1 oz. rye whiskey
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes chocolate or Mole bitters
• ¼ oz. tamarind syrup

Alex Bachman’s Round Two Mezcal Cocktail

This cocktail is a better mix of sotol and mezcal from imbibe 75 person to watch Alex Bachman.

As one of Imbibe Magazine's people to watch, Alex Bachman is a true cocktail expert. Alex uses both mezcal and sotol in this cocktail, along with barley bitters. The result is a complex and endlessly drinkable cocktail. To make it, all ingrediants are stirred with ice in a mixing glass before being strained into a chilled glass. We love using a margarita glass for this particular cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1½ oz. mezcal (Bachman uses Siete Misterios DobaYej)
• ¼ oz. reposado sotol
• ½ oz. sweet vermouth
• ½ oz. Gran Classico
• 1 dash black walnut bitters

Sotold Ya So

Here, the two types of sotol – aged and unaged - are both used to create a complex base in the Sotold recipe from Rules & Regs in Austin.

This recipe hails from Rules & Regs in Austin. It is unique in that it uses both aged and unaged sotol. This creates an interesting base for a fruity and sweet cocktail. This sweetness is cut through by the acidity of the lime, making the whole drink perfectly balanced.

To prepare, add all the ingredients to a shaker, fill with ice and shake vigorously. You then fill the mix into a rocks glass, add ice and garnish.

Ingredients 

• ¾ oz. unaged sotol
• ¾ oz. añejo sotol
• ½ oz. yellow Chartreuse
• 1 oz. cantaloupe juice
• ½ oz. fresh lime juice

• ¼ oz. agave nectar

What Is So Great About Sotol Cocktails?

The clean, balanced taste with hints of sweet fruit makes sotol one of the best new spirits that can be sipped neat, on the rock, as a shot, or in a cocktail. Sotol cocktails are likable because:

• They are made in several smooth flavors 
• They are crafted with care, making them unique and enjoyable
• They have a balanced nose of fresh fruity notes 

Sotol cocktails are not available to persons under the age of 21, and responsible consumption is also encouraged among the people who enjoy this fantastic spirit.

Once you've tried sotol, you would definitely be interested in pulque too. There's no better way to enjoy your Mexican liquors than in a special authentic ceramic mug or stylish glass. Get your garnishes and barware today; be the envy of your friends by serving your favorite cocktail in style today!