Cocktail of the Month: A Spirited Crunch-Time Elixir

Could it be the ultimate Super Bowl snack/drink combo? Or the “cheesiest” beverage ever? Whatever you call it, this is nacho average elixir.

As a cocktail writer, I’ve sampled spirits infused with pork belly, cotton candy, marigold, seaweed and even leather. But just when I thought the liquor rainbow couldn’t get any more bizarre, Empirical spirits of Denmark has announced the creation of  Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit. It’s promised to be “a multi-sensorial, delicious beverage experience.”

Now, that’s a mouthful!

Love or loath them …  every true-blooded American knows the flavor of Doritos signature nacho crisps — salty, cheesy, snappy, slightly cringy but full of nostalgia. Whether you were the “cool kid” whose mom packed them in your grade school lunch box or binged on them as a 3 a.m. cram-snack at university, there’s a certain wistfulness about these lusty corn triangles and their nearly neon hue. For many growing up in the 1970s northeast, Doritos were our first introduction to “Mexican-American” food.

The release of this 84-proof clear spirit comes just in time for the Super Bowl this Feb. 11. For years, Doritos and football have been an inseparable combination. And if you’re one of those who only watch the big game for the TV commercials, you’ll recognize Doritos as one of the event’s most prolific and creative advertisers over the years.

“Doritos is all about disrupting culture and bringing our fans unexpected, bold experiences,” said Tina Mahal, senior vice president of marketing for Frito-Lay North America. Empirical’s website describes liquid adult Doritos as, “an unexpected delicious experience that brings a moment of WTF? To anyone who tries it.”

But what do liquid tortilla chips taste like? According to the makers’ tasting notes —  “The real thing.”  To create the notes of flavor in the drink, the many flavor layers of Doritos Nacho Cheese are extracted through Empirical’s innovative production process, using real Doritos chips and retaining their essence through vacuum distillation. Unlike traditional distillation methods, vacuum distillation operates at lower temperatures, preserving the full spectrum of flavors derived from Doritos.

According to Empirical, “The spirit opens with umami and tangy aromas of nacho cheese, moving to the deeper, corn-forward flavors of the chip to finish on a soft salty note.” It even promises to have that distinct aroma that permeates the air when someone rips into a bag. The only things missing are your orange crumb-laden fingers.

As far as cocktails, its creators have supplied recipes for some obvious applications, such as a margarita and bloody Mary. But one tipple they’re promoting seems to have the game-day edge.

The Doritos Bangarang cocktail includes the addition of another Super Bowl advertising darling — Pepsi. Could this be the pinnacle of junk food in a glass?

This paring makes sense from a cross-promotional standpoint since PepsiCo is the parent company of Frito Lay. However, the Bangarang also includes sea salt and fresh grapefruit which make it sound similar to Mexico’s favorite cocktail the Paloma (tequila with grapefruit soda). According to tasting notes, “The salinity of Doritos pairs perfectly with the herbaceous notes of cola, and a zesty touch of grapefruit to brighten it all up.”

Bottles of Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit can be ordered in the U.S.A. from Us.Empirical.Co.

Doritos Bangarang

2 oz. Empirical Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit
1 pinch smoked sea salt
1 squeeze fresh grapefruit (or citrus of choice)
Top with Pepsi

Fill Collins glass with ice. Add Empirical Doritos Nacho Chip Spirit, sea salt, grapefruit and top with Pepsi. Stir 3 – 4 times. Garnish with grapefruit wedge or a Doritos chip.