by Al Butler
The first time I read the name of this tequila based drink my simple little mind immediately focused on the "Charro" portion. You see, for me, the name Charo has always been associated with the vivacious, fun, and sexy Spanish singer/entertainer of the 1960's and 70's. As a boy I loved watching her flit across the screen speaking very broken English, and wearing the most outlandish and revealing costumes. Her trade mark move of raising her hands over her head, and shaking her hips while shouting "Cuchi, Cuchi" brings a smile to my lips even today. However I found out rather quickly, that the cocktail we are looking at today was not named for her, but for something much more dark and seemingly sinister.
El Charro Negro is a legend, from Mexico which speaks of a dark rider and his nocturnal wanderings.
Dressed all in black this apparition appears on a stallion of the same color to lonely travelers in the dead of the night. Many have seen this spirit, all of whom tell the same story. He glides out of the night riding on a tall dark horse. Silent as a whisper on the wind, he is never heard approaching. The Black Charro merely sits as still as a statue and watches the humans before him. None have ever heard him speak, nor do they know what it is he wants. They simply feel terror as his eyes, masked in the shadows of the night, watch them intently.
One such tale tells of a peasant being startled by El Charro Negro on a very dark country road. At the peasant's feet appeared a pouch full of coins. The peasant knew not what to do, should he take the money, or was this a trap of some sort set by the black rider before him? Eventually the poor hapless man was overwhelmed with fear and ran away as fast as he could, leaving the money in the dust and the searching gaze of the ghost behind him. To date it seems El Charro Negro has never harmed anyone, he obviously just exists to scare the Christ out of tired poor dirt farmers on their way home from the Cantina.
Thankfully, the cocktail that bears this ghost's name is not nearly as lame as the legend which inspired it.
Ingredients:
1.5-2.0 oz. Tequila
.5-.75 oz. Lemon Juice (fresh)
Cola to top off
Lemon wheel for garnish.
Method:
Fill a rocks glass with clean ice, add Tequila and Lemon Juice and top off with the Cola. Stir gently as to not flatten the carbonation from the cola. Add a lemon wheel as a garnish either on the rim of the glass or simply dropped inside the drink itself. *Note: You can also chose to "rim" the glass with salt by running your lemon peel around the rim and placing the glass (top down) onto a plate of salt. You have to mix your drink in a separate glass and pour it into the rimmed glass if you chose to do this*
I found that the lemon juice really helped to cut back on the sweetness of the tequila and cola, making the whole experience a rather smooth and calming one. You can use any type of tequila you like or have on hand, but I personally prefer Reposado or Anejo as the aging in charred barrels gives the spirit a smooth, smoky, flavor which elevates this simple drink. Some people make the El Charro Negro with lime juice and garnish instead of lemon, and it seems to work fine. I suggest trying both versions, what can it hurt? if you prefer lime over lemon go for it.
This quick and easy to mix drink is simple enough that one doesn't have to think to much when putting it together however, the flavors are unique enough that you'll be making more than just one.
Cuchi, Cuchi!
AL
 |
| A Black Charro Cocktail |
The first time I read the name of this tequila based drink my simple little mind immediately focused on the "Charro" portion. You see, for me, the name Charo has always been associated with the vivacious, fun, and sexy Spanish singer/entertainer of the 1960's and 70's. As a boy I loved watching her flit across the screen speaking very broken English, and wearing the most outlandish and revealing costumes. Her trade mark move of raising her hands over her head, and shaking her hips while shouting "Cuchi, Cuchi" brings a smile to my lips even today. However I found out rather quickly, that the cocktail we are looking at today was not named for her, but for something much more dark and seemingly sinister.
 |
| "Cuchi, Cuchi!" |
El Charro Negro is a legend, from Mexico which speaks of a dark rider and his nocturnal wanderings.
Dressed all in black this apparition appears on a stallion of the same color to lonely travelers in the dead of the night. Many have seen this spirit, all of whom tell the same story. He glides out of the night riding on a tall dark horse. Silent as a whisper on the wind, he is never heard approaching. The Black Charro merely sits as still as a statue and watches the humans before him. None have ever heard him speak, nor do they know what it is he wants. They simply feel terror as his eyes, masked in the shadows of the night, watch them intently.
 |
| Stop staring at me! |
Thankfully, the cocktail that bears this ghost's name is not nearly as lame as the legend which inspired it.
Ingredients:
1.5-2.0 oz. Tequila
.5-.75 oz. Lemon Juice (fresh)
Cola to top off
Lemon wheel for garnish.
Method:
Fill a rocks glass with clean ice, add Tequila and Lemon Juice and top off with the Cola. Stir gently as to not flatten the carbonation from the cola. Add a lemon wheel as a garnish either on the rim of the glass or simply dropped inside the drink itself. *Note: You can also chose to "rim" the glass with salt by running your lemon peel around the rim and placing the glass (top down) onto a plate of salt. You have to mix your drink in a separate glass and pour it into the rimmed glass if you chose to do this*
I found that the lemon juice really helped to cut back on the sweetness of the tequila and cola, making the whole experience a rather smooth and calming one. You can use any type of tequila you like or have on hand, but I personally prefer Reposado or Anejo as the aging in charred barrels gives the spirit a smooth, smoky, flavor which elevates this simple drink. Some people make the El Charro Negro with lime juice and garnish instead of lemon, and it seems to work fine. I suggest trying both versions, what can it hurt? if you prefer lime over lemon go for it.
This quick and easy to mix drink is simple enough that one doesn't have to think to much when putting it together however, the flavors are unique enough that you'll be making more than just one.
Cuchi, Cuchi!
AL
No comments:
Post a Comment
We always appreciate comments and feed back so feel free to make your opinion heard here. Please remember to try and stay on topic and not to be too awfully abusive in your critics.