Tuaca Liqueur
| Darcy O'Neil :: May 16, 2006 7:13 PM |
The word on the street is that Tuaca is a super premium, brandy based, Italian liqueur. Now, anytime I hear or read the words “super premium” I become a bit skeptical. What is super premium anyway? Premium should be enough of a description, but I digress. Tuaca is a fruit, citrus and spiced brandy which is probably meant to be sipped neat. So that’s the way I approached this product, as a brandy. For me brandy goes into a glass sans the ice cubes and mix, it is enjoyed for what it is.
When you pour a dram of Tuaca you can see that it is viscous, which means there is going to be a good amount of sweetness, but when you read the bottle you will also see that Tuaca has a 35% alcohol kick. The colour is a deep gold, similar to a well aged brandy. On the nose you will get a whiff of vanilla and citrus. It is reminiscent of Navan vanilla cognac, but definitely not as strong, and there are the other fruit and citrus notes that make Tuaca distinct.
When you take a sip of Tuaca the first impress is sweetness followed by some vanilla and citrus, with some brandy and wood notes that provide a subtle spiciness. The finish is fairly nice, with a bit of brandy warmth and the oak wood notes hanging around for a while. Tuaca is a well crafted liqueur that is well balanced in the sweetness, and the alcohol is contained at a comfortable 35%. As a straight liqueur I really like this product, but then again I have that little issue with vanilla that makes me like a spirit more if you put vanilla in it. Aside from that, this is still a good liqueur.
There was a recipe book that was included with the Tuaca and it kind of perplexes me, but when I think about it a bit, it’s not so confusing. You see, in the recipe book it provides recipes like Tuaca, Lime and Coke which when you think about it would not make a very good drink. Tuaca is sweet and adding it to a sugar laced Coke would be really sweet, which throws the balance right out the door. As you go through the booklet the only recipes included are unoriginal copycat drinks like the following:
Tuaca Lemon Drop
Tuaca Blaster (add Red Bull)
Tuaca Sour
Tuaca-Rita
Tuaca-Colada
Tuaca & Coke
And the list goes on. These copycat recipes don’t do anything to highlight the flavours in the liqueur, they are just riding the coat tails of drinks that already exist. From a marketing point this may seem like a smart move, but from my point of view it marginalizes the product. There is no doubt that this is a good product, but covering up the flavours with Red Bull or making a sudo pina colada out of it? What they should do is hire some mixologists and come up with three outstanding new creations and put their marketing efforts into that. Then they may be able to create the next Cosmopolitan, Pina Colada or Margarita. A popular, well crafted drink will create a self sustaining market to promote their product. Anyway, my point is that too many companies are creating and releasing great products, but then they spend 10 minutes to create a list of has-been recipes to promote mixing their product.
My overall opinion is that Tuaca is a good sipping brandy liqueur. I like it straight and warm because I don’t want to dull down the flavours, but feel free to take the manufacturers recommendation of drinking Tuaca on ice. It will also make a great mixer in some custom cocktails. In the future I will mix a few Tuaca base cocktails that highlight the quality of the product.
When you take a sip of Tuaca the first impress is sweetness followed by some vanilla and citrus, with some brandy and wood notes that provide a subtle spiciness. The finish is fairly nice, with a bit of brandy warmth and the oak wood notes hanging around for a while. Tuaca is a well crafted liqueur that is well balanced in the sweetness, and the alcohol is contained at a comfortable 35%. As a straight liqueur I really like this product, but then again I have that little issue with vanilla that makes me like a spirit more if you put vanilla in it. Aside from that, this is still a good liqueur.
There was a recipe book that was included with the Tuaca and it kind of perplexes me, but when I think about it a bit, it’s not so confusing. You see, in the recipe book it provides recipes like Tuaca, Lime and Coke which when you think about it would not make a very good drink. Tuaca is sweet and adding it to a sugar laced Coke would be really sweet, which throws the balance right out the door. As you go through the booklet the only recipes included are unoriginal copycat drinks like the following:
Tuaca Lemon Drop
Tuaca Blaster (add Red Bull)
Tuaca Sour
Tuaca-Rita
Tuaca-Colada
Tuaca & Coke
And the list goes on. These copycat recipes don’t do anything to highlight the flavours in the liqueur, they are just riding the coat tails of drinks that already exist. From a marketing point this may seem like a smart move, but from my point of view it marginalizes the product. There is no doubt that this is a good product, but covering up the flavours with Red Bull or making a sudo pina colada out of it? What they should do is hire some mixologists and come up with three outstanding new creations and put their marketing efforts into that. Then they may be able to create the next Cosmopolitan, Pina Colada or Margarita. A popular, well crafted drink will create a self sustaining market to promote their product. Anyway, my point is that too many companies are creating and releasing great products, but then they spend 10 minutes to create a list of has-been recipes to promote mixing their product.
My overall opinion is that Tuaca is a good sipping brandy liqueur. I like it straight and warm because I don’t want to dull down the flavours, but feel free to take the manufacturers recommendation of drinking Tuaca on ice. It will also make a great mixer in some custom cocktails. In the future I will mix a few Tuaca base cocktails that highlight the quality of the product.
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19 Comments on Tuaca Liqueur
Leave a comment on Tuaca Liqueur
I like Tuaca as well, but I'll be darned if I can remember what cocktail I used it in. I thought I got one from the web site, but none of them ring a bell. I did try it as a substitute in a "Macaroon", but it didn't work very well. Please post if/when you come up with a new recipe.
Your Tuaca review was a fair assessment of the product. While some people prefer to enjoy Tuaca warm, it is best and most often enjoyed cold as a shot. This is obviously different than sipping it warm like brandy. Serving Tuaca cold enhances the product's bold taste (that's the 35% alcohol kick) and smooth finish, which for most people we've come across is a better experience.
We agree with your comments regarding our suggested cocktails and we've heard similar comments from others. Tuaca is sweet and some of the mixers we suggest highlight too much sweetness. We are working with bartenders to develop original recipes because this brand has and continues to be built by bartenders. They deserve to teach us what cocktails Tuaca works best in to bring out the best qualities. Hopefully a bartender will create the next great cocktail with Tuaca.
Thanks for the dialogue and please continue to make any comments or suggestions. Below are a couple of recent recipe suggestions from bartenders and our team.
Taormino
• 1 oz. Tuaca
• ½ oz. Chambord
• 1 oz. Finlandia Vodka
• 2 oz. Lemon Lime Soda
Shake first three ingredients on ice.
Pour into glass. Add Lemon Lime Soda.
Glassware: Highball
Garnish: Wedge of lime
Café Gatto
(Gatto is Italian for CAT=Cointreau+Amarula+Tuaca)
• ½ oz. Tuaca
• ½ oz. Amarula
• ½ oz. Orange Liqueur (Cointreau)
Blend, serve on ice accompanying a coffee.
Glassware: Dessert/up
Garnish: Dust w/cinnamon or nutmeg
Tuaca Pineapple
• ½ oz. Tuaca
• 4 oz. Pineapple Juice
Shake ingredients on ice. Pour into glass.
Glassware: Highball
Perhpas it's not a Tuaca original, but I do like the so-called Hot Apple Pie -- Tuaca with hot apple cider.
My sweetie and I enjoy Tuaca with hot chocolate and eggnog and milk. Chocolate and orange has always been a favorite combination of mine. Try three parts cocoa, two parts milk, one part egg nog and about one part Tuaca. It's great for desert or a special holiday breakfast treat.
Olive Garden serves a drink called FROZEN TIRAMISU
Tuaca Vanilla liqueur
Kahlua
Amaretto
Ice Cream
A gal friend of mine were out for dinner one night and 2 girls came around with free shots. I am hooked. I start with a shot, clean and neat then put it on ice and when I can't see anymore, I mix it with coke. Despite what it sounds like, I am a responsible drinker, but now I celebrate with Tuaca!!!!!!!!
Try....
Tuaca
Gingerale
Twist of Lime
YUM....
Looking for recipe for Tuacatini or maybe it was Valentini-
the recipe was in a small booklet of recipes w/tauaca, came with the Tuaca bottle last Christmas..
Thanks,
Janice
I just wanted to throw out there that Tuaca is not a brandy. It is modeled after a brandy but none the less it not one.
I have used tuaca in a few recipes. I was originally introduced to it in "Hot apple pie"
tuaca
apple juice
apple pie spice
whip cream
cinnamon sticks
combine apple juice, and spice to taste. Put into a crock and heat to just warm for drinking (110-130 degrees)
Put 1/2 to 1 shot of tuaca in a margaritta glass. Fill with hot apple juice. Garnish with whip cream and cinnamon stick. Sprinkle with spice.
I invented a drink called an "Angry Wife". It is modeled on a rusty nail and is fantastic. Two parts single malt scotch and one part Tuaca. Is it a waste of single malt you ask? Maybe. But it is delicious. Drink four on a worknight and discover where the name comes from.
I didnt quite know how to get a hold of somone from the compan but i was out the other nite at starlight in killeen,texas an your company had girls promotg the drink.One of them offered to take m picture i guess you guys are hiring tuaca girls.Well,I was just wondering if that offer was stil good an who would i talk to.I would appreciate it if you could get back to me thank you for your time
we were introduced to tuaca by an american friend, we drink it in the style of tequila but with sugar.Sugar/tuaca/lemon..we've had some wild nights on it, beware it makes you do strange things!
please tell me (if you can) how many calories are in a "shot glass" of tuaca. Thank you very much.
I first tried Tuaca over 30 years ago and I've only ever had it "on the rocks."
As far as I'm concerned that's the drink you'll be greeted with at the Pearly Gates.
Now, if we could only find Tuaca in Canada !!!
The best recipe I use it in is my pumpkin-roll. You talking about adding flavor!! Just add a 1\4 cup to the cream filling and see how fast that roll disappears.
My favorite tuaca recipe is the carmel apple: three equal parts tuaca, pinnapple juice, and apple pucker, one splash of sprite, shaken with ice and strained. Serve as a shot, in a rocks glass(with rocks), or martini. Popular with both genders.
OK I have seen a few versions of the Tuaca Lemon Drop the way we've always made it in the bar is Fresh squeezed lemon and tuaca. about 3/4 tuaca the rest lemon. Rim the shot glass with sugar. Enjoy!!!
my personal favorite is the Tuaca Tea, which is nothing more than 50% Tuaca and 50% iced tea (usually served in a pint glass). the tea does a great job of balancing out the sweetness of the Tuaca.