America’s favourite spirit is fast becoming one of Ireland’s favourites and the perfect partner for seasonal cocktails. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is perfect for a stylish Espresso Martini, Cranberry Mule or Holiday Thyme, unique in its smooth depth of flavour produced from traditional corn-based distillation.
Bert (Bertito, to his family and friends) Beveridge founded Tito’s Handmade Vodka in Austin Texas 25 years ago. A unique story that began back in the 1990s, Tito was known as “the vodka guy”. Short on funds, he would create vodka infusions to give a,ifts to friends and family. Taking a mason jar, Tito would add fresh ingredients such as fruits, chillies and even coffee then add the cheapest vodka he could find and present his gift after a couple of weeks of infusion.
On a 12-acre plot outside Austin, Tito went on to build the first legal distillery in Texas. Using old-fashioned pot stills, Tito’s Vodka continues to be distilled in small batches, with each one taste-tested. It is distilled six times, a process similar to that used to make the finest single malt whiskeys. Tito’s goal was to produce a vodka so smooth you could drink it neat, a goal he has achieved.
While distilling in a batch-process, pot still is more expensive and time-consuming; the careful attention and craftsmanship delivers a great tasting vodka. Each batch is taste-tested at the end of production to ensure consistency.
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This traditional method, along with corn-based distillation and copper-based stills, yields a more flavourful, well-balanced, distinct spirit that is full of body. Distilling from corn also makes Tito’s Handmade Vodka naturally gluten-free.
Now celebrating 25 years in business Tito’s Handmade Vodka is on the menu in restaurants and bars across Ireland. It is also available in off-licences nationwide. So why not create some of these seasonal cocktails at home?
Ingredients
- 50ml Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- 100ml sparkling water
- 50ml cranberry juice
- 2tsp lime juice
- 2 thyme sprigs
Tito’s Holiday Thyme
1. Add Tito’s Handmade Vodka, juices and thyme to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake and pour into a glass.
3. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a thyme sprig.
Ingredients
- 50ml Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- 1 egg white
- 20ml nutmeg syrup*
- 15ml white grape juice
- 7ml lemon juice
Tito’s Winter Spirit
1. Add all ingredients to a shaker and dry shake for 10 seconds.
2. Add ice and shake again for 5 seconds, or until the shaker becomes cold.
3. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon slice and star anise.
* To make nutmeg syrup, add together 200g sugar, 200g water and 1tsp nutmeg and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer until the sugar has dissolved, stirring often. Double strain through a cheesecloth to remove excess nutmeg. Let cool and store in the fridge. Keeps for up to 4 weeks.
Ingredients
- 50ml Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- 150ml ginger beer
- 15ml cranberry juice
- 7ml lime juice
- 2 dashes of orange bitters
Tito’s Merry Mule
1. Add all the ingredient to a Tito’s Copper Mug or similar with ice.
2. Stir and garnish with a lime slice.
