If you’re still searching for that last minute Christmas gift, don’t forget Liquor is always a good choice. Maybe even a stocking stuffer? If you’re looking for ideas for either of these dilemmas or even planning to attend a holiday party in the next couple weeks, today’s product review might be the perfect option. It’s sweet, festive in color, and completely versatile; We’re talking about Pama Pomegranate liqueur.  We’re in the thick of Pomegranate season and if you’re into seasonal drinking like we are, you’ll want to add this to your liquor cabinet.

First Impression: “Pomegranate Perfected – Pama is the original pomegranate liqueur. Made with all natural pomegranate juice, Pama perfectly captures the fruit’s complex sweet, yet tart, taste and seductively ruby color. Highly mixable, Pama transforms an ordinary martini margarita  or champagne cocktail into a refreshingly unique taste experience. Best Chilled, Pama is also perfect on the rocks.

There it is, straight from the source, written on the bottle to give you a glimpse of exactly what you’re getting yourself into. It’s not uncommon for companies to write an introductory description on the bottle, but that’s practically poetry on a bottle. Pama comes in a beautifully sleek, tall bottle with its logo featured prominently in the top hovering over a appropriately added pomegranate tree. The bottle itself is crystal clear allowing the rich crimson red color of Pama to call your name from the shelf. In our initial attempt to open it,  we spilled a bit on the counter (yes we’ve been drinking) and discovered that like many liqueurs, it’s pretty darn sticky. From the spillage on the counter, we get a heavy dose of it’s rich berry aroma already filling up the room. Passes the nose test with flying colors.

The Taste: We finally managed to get some of this in a glass and sip it both chilled and at room temperature. Whoa… It would be a lie if I said it weren’t sweet, it is, but how quickly the sense of sweet is captured by the tart after is pretty amazing. It’s perfectly balanced, and has just enough of a bite in it to remind you it’s still not safe for the little one. Sipped warm you’ll notice more of the details in the aroma and taste, the berry, the vanilla, the tequila. Try it chilled and it’s a bit more crisp and refreshing like biting into a fresh ripened fruit. There isn’t much NOT to love here. One of my favorite things about Pama is it’s versatility. You can add this to almost any classic cocktail (try a margarita, mojito, or cosmo) or you can sip it all by itself and it gets the job done. If you were once a slave to the mixer known as grenadine, you’ll probably want to consider swapping this as an alternative. Grenadine,  originated from the french word grenade which means pomegranate however in most liquor stores what you’ll find labeled “grenadine” is nothing more then cherry syrup or sugar and corn syrup. Try switching it with Pama, and see what a more authentic tropical drink is suppose to taste like.

Price: 21.99 (750/ML)

Grade: A

Overall: This one had us at hello. From it’s beautiful packaging, to its senses-exciting aroma, to the rich and balanced flavor, Pama is a winner. If you’re deciding on gifts this Christmas, you could do much MUCH worse. At 34 proof, it’s like drinking wine with an edge. If you’re into mixing drinks, it’s the perfect one-size-fits-all liqueur because it’s versatility makes it work well with almost any spirit. By checking out their website you can see exactly what types of recipes you can discover with Pama, so I would suggest stopping by there as well. Stay tuned for later in the week when we feature some Pama cocktail recipes to share this Christmas.

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Pama sample provided courtesy of representatives of the brand. For more information on Pama including recipes and where to purchase it, visit www.pamaliqueur.com

…..Although vodka has been pushing HARD over the past couple summers to gain more control of your drinking habits, Rum and Tequila have always been the dominant summer preference for most drinkers. Who doesn’t love a tropical tiki drink or an ice cold margarita?  But with so many flavored vodkas and rums hitting the market it was only a matter of time before someone in the tequila game decided to make a move. Coconut rum has always been a fan favorite, and then coconut flavored vodka was the big thing over the last two summers, and now 1800 is jumping in with a coconut tequila. That’s right, the battle for Summer supremacy just got a bit juicer. Though flavored tequilas are nothing new, they are relatively unpopular in the U.S.. And considering most of the flavored tequilas you will find are infused with a citrus flavor, something already commonly added to tequila drinks,  it becomes a bit redundant. HOWEVER, if you’ve ever visited Mexico where tequila is more available than water, you will notice DOZENS of flavored tequilas that are both delicious and different. I’ve had pomegranate, coffee, jalapeno, and yes coconut tequila and when done right the infusion can taste amazing. So how does 1800’s Coconut infusion stack up?

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First Impression: If you’ve had 1800 before you know the deal. Pyramid like bottle with the cool trick that allows it to “pour a shot” for you. Labeling is similar  to other blends except where other bottles of 1800 feature a graphic of an agave plant, 1800 coconut has a picture of a Tiki-like skull. Uncork the top and you get an amazing aroma that the first lady of “101” described as “coconut cream cake like”. I have to agree, that distinct aroma of tequila we are all too familiar with combined with a not-too-over-the-top coconut aroma creates a sweet dessert like aroma that is easy on the nostrils. Two thumbs up so far

Taste: All the sweet smells and gimmicky tricks can only get your so far, but does its’ talk match its’ walk?  Judging it simply as a tequila first it’s got a real nice flavor with a bitter start and a sweet ending, a common trait of its’ Blanco tequila. For fans of 1800 Blanco this should come as no surprise, but the after burn feeling commonly associated with tequila is almost non-existent. This will help to push this one as a fan favorite this summer. Now as far as it being a “coconut” tequila, I have to admit its not what I expected. We’ve been programmed to like the heavily dosed coconut flavored rums on the market oozing of artificial flavor (tasty though isn’t it?). 1800 coconut however is infused with fresh coconut water giving it a more subtle coconut flavor that. Not a big problem if you’re simply going to be mixing this to make some crazy coconut-enhanced drinks this summer (see Paradise Island recipe below), but if you’re going to sip this one warm at room temperature like I just did (It’s the best way to appreciate the flavor) it may be a bit disappointing depending on what you were expecting. After drinking this one straight in both warm and chilled formats I went through my mixers inventory and went to work. Mixes great with pineapple and OJ aka the usual suspects. I tried this in a few margarita recipes and it really blends well and lets the coconut shine through without losing the clarity/integrity of the tequila. All in all it’s a winner in my books. Good taste, little after burn, and fun to play with.

Price: $25-28.99 / 750ml (A bit pricier than the Blanco but still a decent value)

Grade: B

Overall: So I ask again, does its’ walk match its’ talk? The answer is yes. It isn’t a premium tequila worthy of fine slow sipping but it is quality. 1800 Blanco is what I like to call a good entry level tequila because it offers 100% Blue Agave tequila at a lower price than others. Their coconut addition is no different, its smooth, well priced, and will make you forget most of your college years just as well as the rest of them (70 proof). It hits on quality is well priced, and unless you were looking for that overly sweet coconut flavor, it hits on taste as well. In the end I predict this one will be the spirit of the Summer. Enjoy some 1800 Coconut Recipes below:

Paradise Island Iced Tea (Intoxicology Original)

• 1 part 1800 Coconut Tequila
• 1 part Malibu Coconut Rum
• 1 part Ciroc Coconut Vodka
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 part Cream of Coconut
• 1/2 oz Sweet N Sour
• 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice. A lot of ingredients in this one, but easy to remember proportions. This one is a Coco-nutty take on the ever popular Long Island Iced tea. It’s a bit sweet, a bit sour, and packs a punch THAT WILL CREEP UP ON YOU. Enjoy !

Coconut Crusher

• 1 part 1800 Coconut Tequila
• 1 part Pineapple Juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Coconut Margarita

• 2 cups ice
• 3/4 cup coconut cream
• 4 1/2 oz 1800 Coconut Tequila
• 1 1/2 oz triple sec (or Grand Marnier)
• 1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut

In a blender combine ice, coconut cream, tequila and triple sec. Blend until desired texture. On a separate plate, sprinkle coconut flakes and wet the rims of your margarita  glasses. Dip the rims of the glasses onto the coconuts. Pour blended margarita into garnished glasses and enjoy.

…..Recipes were provided by representatives of the brand unless otherwise noted. Photos are courtesy of Intoxicology 101. For more information on 1800 and their portfolio visit www.1800tequila.com.

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