2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Sotol / Sotol / is a distilled alcoholic beverage that originates from Mexico and the southern United States. The drink is made from the plant Dasylirion wheeleri, which is known as sotol and desert spoon. Dasylirion wheeleri grows in Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and others. It is considered a traditional drink in the states of Chihuahua, Durango and Coahuila de Zaragoza.
This plant is an evergreen shrub that grows relatively slowly. Dasylirion wheeleri has a stable trunk that can grow to more than 40 centimeters. The leaves of the plant are gray-green, strongly elongated, xiphoid, spread in all directions, provided with thorns. They can grow from 35 to 100 centimeters. The color of the flowers of the plant indicates its sex. Females are most often colored in pink to purple, and males - in white. The fruit is an oval dry capsule, 5 to 8 millimeters long, containing one seed.
Dasylirion wheeleri is usually grown as an ornamental plant. It prefers warm climates and therefore prolonged cold spells do not affect it very well. It grows most successfully in greenhouses. The leaves of the plant are used by local peoples for decoration, and baskets are also woven from them. They also served as food. Recently, however, the plant is mostly used for the production of spirits Sotol.
History of Sotol
Plant from which it is produced Sotol, has been highly revered by locals thousands of years ago. This is evidenced by drawings on the walls where it is depicted. In addition, excavations revealed baskets, ropes, bedding and other items proving that the plant was an important resource for the population of modern Mexico.
Otherwise, Sotol alcohol itself has a long history. Even the Chihuahua Indians produced a drink from the juice of the plant Dasylirion wheeleri about 800 years ago. It could be compared to beer. The type of Sotol was completed in the sixteenth century, when the Spanish colonizers began to demonstrate the European method of distillation. So finally there is the drink we know today. In the beginning, it was viewed with distrust by Europeans, but today it has worldwide recognition just like tequila and mezcal.
Production of Sotol
The production of Sotol it is not an easy task. At least because it takes about 15 years for Dasylirion wheeleri to mature into an alcoholic beverage. In addition, one plant can produce as much alcohol as just one bottle. Unlike the agave plant, which blooms only once in its life, Dasylirion wheeleri blooms once every few years.
When the plant matures, it is treated like an agave, when tequila will be extracted from it. The leaves are removed so that the middle part can grow. The core is cut and subjected to heat treatment.
The resulting liquid is then mixed with water so that fermentation can take place. It's time for distillation. It is performed 2 or three times, depending on the product. The alcohol can then be left to mature or bottled in special glass bottles resembling cups.
Types of Sotol
Depending on the age of alcohol, it is divided into three main categories:
- Plata (plata) - that is Sotol, which is prepared very soon. It has light smoky notes. Its taste is soft and pleasant, reminiscent of menthol and vanilla;
- Reposado (Reposado) - this is Sotol, which has matured for several months or at most a year. It has a clearer profile than Sotol Plata. Its scent is reminiscent of vanilla and eucalyptus. Its taste is associated with the same ingredients as boiled agave and cream;
- Añejo - this is it Sotol, which must have matured between one and seven years. It has the most distinct aroma compared to the other two varieties. Its fragrance is floral, reminiscent of aromatic herbs and white pepper. Its taste is associated with rosemary, citrus, mint and apricot. During long aging, the color of the alcohol changes and it acquires a golden color.
Serving Sotol
Sotol can be served chilled to 16-18 degrees, as this temperature is determined by the age of the drink and can vary. Pour into small glass cups. When served, it can be diluted with ice if desired.
Cocktails with Sotol
Sotol is consumed alone, but can be mixed with other drinks such as tequila, white rum, gin and vodka. It goes well with juices of lime, orange, lemon, cactus, kiwi, pear and melon. He is a participant with a number of cocktails, which would instantly soften a person's legs.
See an idea for a cocktail with Sotol, with which you could break the atmosphere during a party.
Necessary products: 1 part Sotol, 3 parts grapefruit juice, 3 parts carbonated water, a few ice cubes, a few pieces of orange
Method of preparation: Put Sotola, grapefruit juice and sparkling water in a blender. Beat the mixture and pour it into tall glass cups in which ice has been placed beforehand. Decorate the cups with orange slices.
