Espresso Agave Coupe in a coupe with three coffee beans

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Comisario Añejo: Espresso Agave Coupe.

A vigorous shake gives espresso its inviting texture, while a restrained amount of sweetness keeps the agave perceptible.

Ingredients

Serves

2 ozComisario Añejo Tequilathe bottle we pour
1 ozFresh espresso, cooled30 ml
½ ozCoffee liqueur15 ml
1 tspSimple syrup5 ml
Three coffee beansfor garnish
Fresh iceas needed

Method

Prepare the espresso first and let it cool before mixing. Do not pour hot coffee into a sealed shaker. Fresh espresso generally gives a more pronounced foam than cold brew. For simple syrup, dissolve equal volumes of white sugar and hot water, then cool fully before measuring. A small batch made with ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water is plenty for several serves.
before you mix
Prepare the garnish: three coffee beans. Chill a coupe while you measure the ingredients.
the garnish and the glass
Add the measured base and all still liquid ingredients to a shaker. Keep any soda, tonic or ginger beer separate for the finish.
the build
Fill the shaker with fresh ice, seal and shake firmly for 10–15 seconds until the outside feels cold.
the shake
Double-strain through a cocktail strainer and a fine sieve into the chilled empty glass.
the strain
Add the prepared garnish and serve promptly. Express any citrus twist gently over the glass before adding it.
the serve

"A vigorous shake gives espresso its inviting texture, while a restrained amount of sweetness keeps the agave perceptible."Flight notes · Creenagh Flynn

From the bar

A small ritual for the evening

The few minutes spent making a drink can become part of the occasion itself. Set out the glass, cut the garnish and arrange the ingredients in the order you will use them. There is no need to hurry once everything is ready. This recipe rewards that simple preparation with a drink that feels joined together, from its first aroma to the finish. Serve it when there is time to appreciate those small details.

A vigorous shake gives espresso its inviting texture, while a restrained amount of sweetness keeps the agave perceptible. For this version, Comisario Añejo Tequila provides the base. The recipe below keeps the preparation clear so you can concentrate on the aroma, the texture and the way the ingredients meet. Serve it in a coupe and let three coffee beans introduce its character before the first sip.

The bottle behind the recipe

Comisario Añejo is the centre of this recipe, with the other ingredients chosen to create contrast and room around it. An añejo cocktail can be polished and expressive without requiring an elaborate bar setup. A well-chilled glass, accurately measured sweetness and a restrained garnish will do much of the work. Keep the first sip small enough to notice how the fruit or aromatic accent meets the base, then consider the finish as well as the first impression.

Finding the balance

Fresh juice, fruit puree and bottled mixers vary in sweetness and acidity. Prepare the first drink using the quantities below, then taste the completed mixture. If it needs more brightness, add a teaspoon of the listed citrus. If it feels too sharp and the recipe includes a sweetener, add that in teaspoon increments. Keep the base measure fixed. This gives you a repeatable starting point while allowing for the real ingredients on your counter.

The technique that makes the difference

Shaking creates both chill and dilution, so the ice is part of the recipe even though it is not counted as an ingredient measure. Use firm, fresh cubes and leave enough room in the shaker for the liquid to move. A fine strainer is particularly useful when working with fruit puree, because it removes small pieces that can make the drink feel uneven. Once strained, serve promptly. A cocktail served up has no fresh ice to maintain its temperature, so the chilled glass matters as much as the shake.

Bring it to the table

Serve this cocktail with a small chocolate truffle. A vigorous shake gives espresso its inviting texture, while a restrained amount of sweetness keeps the agave perceptible. Keep the food in small, easy-to-share portions so that the glass and the plate can be enjoyed together. Put a little of the garnish ingredient on the table where it also belongs in the food, but avoid making every element taste identical. The most useful pairing is one that gives the drink a new detail after a bite, with the food and the cocktail retaining their own character.

Make it your house recipe

To make the recipe again, begin with the same Comisario Añejo Tequila and the same ingredient measures, then change one small detail at a time. That makes the result easier to learn from and repeat. Keep a note of the fruit or syrup you used if it made a particular difference. Once the balance feels right, the drink becomes a useful addition to your own table, whether you are preparing one glass or setting out ingredients for a few guests.

Make it tonight

Made it?

Fifty Casa Stellar points, and the bar remembers it.