Chimayo Cocktail Recipe With Tequila

Name: Chimayó Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces tequila; 1/4 ounce crème de cassis; 1 ounce apple cider (unfiltered); 1/2 ounce lemon juice (fresh); Garnish: apple slices

Prep: 3 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Total: 3 mins

Serving: 1 serving

Yield: 1 cocktail

10 ratings

Write a Review

Add a comment

The Chimayó cocktail is a great autumn cocktail that is a signature New Mexico drink. It pairs tequila with the full-flavored taste of unfiltered apple cider, adding a hint of sweetness via crème de cassis.

The story goes that Arutro Jaramillo created this drink in the 1960s to use up an abundance of apples. It was a popular drink of the Chimayó, New Mexico area and the drink to order at Rancho de Chimayó, the restaurant Jaramillo started there in his family's 19th-century hacienda.

Chris Milligan, the Santa Fe Barman, says that the Chimayó remains a favorite cocktail of northern New Mexico and that Rancho de Chimayó is definitely a place you want to eat if you're in the area. He also notes that many bartenders in the Santa Fe area know the recipe and will make it for you if the cider is available at the time.

It is a great tequila cocktail with a great story and, if you get the chance, be sure to taste one from the source and compare it to your own.

1 1/2 ounces tequila
1/4 ounce crème de cassis liqueur
1 ounce unfiltered apple cider
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Apple slices, for garnish

Gather the ingredients.
In an old-fashioned glass filled with ice, pour the tequila, crème de cassis, apple cider, and lemon juice.
Stir well.
Garnish with apple slices. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

Typically, silver tequila is poured into the Chimayó, but this drink is also an excellent use for reposado tequilas. The hint of barrel aging will only enhance the cider.
Unfiltered apple cider is essential for an authentic Chimayó experience because it offers a raw taste of the fruit. It's often only found in the fall around apple harvest. Look for it in the grocer's produce section and check with your local orchards to see if they offer it. If you cannot find it, any apple cider will do.
One of the easiest ways to make your own apple cider is to wash, core, and slice a number of apples. Place these in a food processor and puree. Then press the puree through a cheesecloth to extract the juice. This can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week.
Cut apples yellow very quickly once exposed to oxygen and do not look the best as a garnish. To stop the oxidation process, quickly dip the slices into a little lemon juice and shake off any excess.

Recipe Variation

Give the Chimayó an extra kick by using hard apple cider.

How Strong Is a Chimayó Cocktail?

Neither too strong nor too light, the Chimayó is a perfectly balanced cocktail in terms of its alcohol content. It should mix up to a pleasant 17 percent ABV (34 proof), making it just slightly stronger than a glass of wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
188	Calories
0g	Fat
22g	Carbs
0g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	188
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 22g	8%
Dietary Fiber 3g	10%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 19mg	96%
Calcium 11mg	1%
Iron 0mg	1%
Potassium 166mg	4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.