We may not have a crystal ball to see into the future of cocktails and tequila for 2022, but we have something better— Brand Ambassadors! We reached out to our crew to find out what they predict as they look out into the vast horizon of all things cocktails and Patrón.

We’ve jam-packed this Proof Read with delicious cocktail recipes, drink trends, and what our BAs are keeping their eyes on as the season unfolds.

Notice how, since our Patrón Brand Ambassadors reside in cities across the US, regional and seasonal influences impact their responses to questions about drink trends and the recipes they share.


Cheers to a year of creative Patrón cocktails ahead.

What drink trends would you like to see more of in 2022?

I would love to see more menus diversify which spirit goes into their classic cocktails. For example, a Patrón Añejo Sidecar or a Patrón Silver Espresso Martini would be great additions I’d love to see more of.

What’s a simple recipe you recommend for those just getting into tequila? Why?

Ranch Water: Just Patrón Silver, sparkling water, and lime juice. Even though a classic Margarita is a great start into the world of tequila — Ranch Water can give you that freshness you seek with less sweetness and more opportunity to taste the baked agave.

What do you wish people knew about tequila that they might not know?

In a time where we are really paying attention to the items we put in our systems, it would be a great day when people started to pay attention to additives. Tequila is such a rich spirit and the pureness of baked agave deserves to be appreciated. At Patrón, we offer an additive-free training!

What drink trends would you like to see more of in 2022?

Martinis! But in a re-worked sense and not just cocktails in a martini glass. I would love to see more inventive riffs on this iconic classic cocktail that still stays true to its DNA. For instance, a stirred 2:1 Martini with Patrón Silver or Reposado works extremely well and pairs with a myriad of different foods and catches people by surprise. Or, as an alternative, using a different savory component such as tamari or maggi in place of the olive juice in a dirty Martini. The martini is a cocktail with endless variations, so it’s a fun one to get creative with.

What’s a simple recipe you recommend for those just getting into tequila? Why?
The Paloma is one of the more approachable cocktails if you’re just getting into tequila. All you need is tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice and a grapefruit soda such as Squirt or Jarritos. It doesn’t involve any shaking or challenging new techniques to execute and is incredibly refreshing.

Here’s my recommended Paloma recipe:

2 oz Patrón Silver Tequila

0.5 oz Fresh lime juice

4 oz Grapefruit soda

Measure the ingredients over ice in a salt rimmed collins glass.

Give brief stir to incorporate and enjoy.

Try with a Tajin rim on the glass for a different take.

What do you wish people knew about tequila that they might not know?

I wish more people knew about the use of additives in the tequila industry. There hasn’t been transparency on this topic and brands are legally permitted to use up to 1% by volume of additives without mentioning this application on the label. However, in 2020, Tequila Matchmaker started their ​“certified additive-free” program and that has certainly helped spur conversation around the topic a lot more. We at Patrón also have an interactive Additive Masterclass as well as plenty of information on additives at Academiapatron.com in chapter 6 of the ​“Making Tequila” section. I find it important for consumers to know what they are buying so they can make an informed decision rather than it being hidden from them.

What drink trends would you like to see more of in 2022?

There are a few things that come to mind, including:

• Build-your-own cocktail menus, similar to build-your-own pizza, where guests pick the base, mixer, add-ins, syrups, and garnish from a list where all the options are listed.
• Interactive cocktails where the guest gets to be a part of the experience, like pouring a pea flower color into your drink or smoking your own old fashioned.
• Mini cocktail flights. I love this idea! Customers get to try several cocktails without having to order them all full size. For instance, a mini Patrón Margarita flight or a flight of different cocktails like a tequila sour, guava margarita, and a kiwi paloma.

What’s a simple recipe you recommend for those just getting into tequila? Why?

Tequila infusions: people think the process is hard but it is quite simple. All you need is a mason jar, tequila, your infusion of choice, and a fine strainer. For example, you could add muddled coffee beans to a Patrón Reposado and let sit for 24 hours (coffee specifically can get bitter after 36 but other infusions like orange peels can sit longer). Strain, serve, and everyone will love it and think you are an at home cocktail genius!

What do you wish people knew about tequila that they might not know?

I am ALL about this additive free education. I love to see the word getting out. So many tequilas have additives that take away from the traditional taste and traditions of tequila. It trains consumers that tequila should have that taste. We will soon get to bring this additive free education about tequilas to a bar near you!

What drink trends would you like to see more of in 2022?

I would love to see more tea in cocktails, tea can offer a wide range in complexity and it’s fairly inexpensive to use. It would also be great to see additional hot cocktails on menus, and with the use of an immersion circulator it can be very easy to batch and it’s a great way to expand a menu. (You can see TJ’s Patrón Perfectionist cocktail from 2018 here which incorporates tea!)

What’s a simple recipe you recommend for those just getting into tequila? Why?

Tequila Old Fashioned. It’s extraordinarily simple to make and it is extremely versatile. It allows those entering the category the chance to understand the spirit more, whether it be a Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, or Extra Añejo in the cocktail. It’s a spirit-forward cocktail that still allows the agave to shine but makes it more approachable. If you adjust the sweetness and bitters you can guide yourself into appreciating tequila on it’s own.


One of my favorite Patrón Old Fashioned recipes is:

2 oz Patrón Reposado

¼ oz 2:1 Cane Syrup

2 Dash Angostura

2 Dash Peychauds

Lemon and Orange Peel garnish

What do you wish people knew about tequila that they might not know?

Additives are a thing! A lot of brands are utilizing additives to adjust their product. It may seem like a more approachable product but in reality tequila shouldn’t taste like the additives used.

What drink trends would you like to see more of in 2022?
I would like to tequila cocktails being more spirit forward. Highlighting the beauty and intricacies of our tequilas by combining with complimenting liqueurs. I’ve been doing a Patrón Anejo Vieux Carre, Patrón Sherry Cask Aged Añejo Manhattans, or a Patrón Reposado Negroni.

What’s a simple recipe you recommend for those just getting into tequila? Why?
I’m in love with the Paloma. It’s light, refreshing, and highlights the tequila well by still adding nice flavor for those who aren’t quite ready to dive in head first.

Here’s a Paloma recipe I recommend:

2 oz Patrón Silver

¼ oz Lime juice

¼ oz Agave nectar

Build in glass over ice

Top with equal parts sparkling water and Grapefruit juice (ratio can vary depending on whether you want more or less citrus)

Roland’s Tip: A a personal touch I like to split the difference with sparkling water and tonic water to add a nice boost.

What do you wish people knew about tequila that they might not know?
I wish people knew more about how versatile and unique tequila is. It’s such a complex flavored spirit, which occurs naturally from the agave. It’s light but holds up well in so many cocktails because of its vast range of flavor profiles from Silver to Añejo. I think learning more from Academia Patrón on the website, or by following on Instagram would help people to see just how amazing this spirit is. Heres to drinking more Patrón!

What drink trends would you like to see more of in 2022?
I’d love to see more options​around the quantity of spirit in cocktails. Low ABV options have gained popularity, but low ABV shouldn’t be limited to spirits that are by nature lower ABV. For example, pouring a smaller quantity of Tequila by volume (i.e. 1oz instead of 2oz) could equate to a low ABV cocktail, and a delicious one at that.

What’s a simple recipe you recommend for those just getting into tequila? Why?
I personally love Margaritas. A classic Tommy’s Margarita is not only delicious but is very easy to construct (just three simple ingredients). Most importantly, it focuses predominantly on the tequila rather than having the other ingredients overpower the spirit.

What do you wish people knew about tequila that they might not know?
I wish more people knew about the​prevalence of additives in many popular tequila brands. At Patrón, we’re 100% additive free, we produce an ultra-premium brand that doesn’t need to be altered by artificial components.

What drink trends would you like to see more of in 2022?
To me, understanding cocktails and drinks means understanding your surroundings and audience. I would like to see more cocktails inspired by what you can make with at-home ingredients from pantries, gardens, etc. I am also on a big kick for low ABV drinks. Enjoyment is key.

What’s a simple recipe you recommend for those just getting into tequila? Why?
The first step to a great cocktail is simplicity. Growing up in Southern California we have access to a lot of fresh ingredients. Taking inspiration from that, I encourage folks to use locally grown ingredients that are also cost effective. My go to is a jalapeño or cucumber margarita.

Michael’s tip: You can also combine the jalapeño and cucumber for a spicy cool flavor.

CULICHI MARGARITA

Recipe:

2oz Patrón Silver

.75oz Fresh lime juice

.75oz Agave nectar

2 slices of cucumber

1 slice jalapeño

Muddle cucumber & jalapeño in shaker. Add rest of ingredients with ice. Shake, and strain over ice in an Old Fashioned glass rimmed with Tajin. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.

What do you wish people knew about tequila that they might not know?
I wish people knew how long it takes for one blue weber agave plant to grow, and why the growth of the tequila category is making it a very precious commodity. Check out an article on how long it takes an agave plant to grow, and what role agave plays in crafting Patron Tequila here.

What do you think, do our Brand Ambassadors have the gift of foresight? A big thank you to this group for sharing their knowledge and insights as we look ahead to another awesome year of cocktails and tequila!

Make sure you follow along on Instagram @Academia_Patron as we share the latest in trends, cocktails, and tequila education.