Por Mi Amante

Spicy Strawberry & Lemon

A refreshingly spicy classic libation!

“Strawberries are red, lemons aren’t blue, but the Por Mi Amante is sweet and spicy, just like you.”

Mexico is synonymous with 2 things: Tequila and a damn good time. We know what you are saying… “There is more to Mexico than partying.” Keep reading, LOL!

Though Mexico has copious endearing qualities like the people, the food, the culture, and the landscape, for this deep dive, we are focusing on Tequila and well a damn good time.

Little-known fact: Mexico is the third-largest producer of strawberries worldwide, producing an average of 640 tons of strawberries per year. That’s an average of 17+ million strawberries per year. In other words, that a metric sh*t ton of strawberries, brother!

Though a worldwide strawberry producing powerhouse, the modern cultivated strawberry is not endemic to Mexico and in fact was brought over by the French in the mid-1800s. Though there are wild strawberry species that do grow in North and South America, the modern cultivar species is the one that truly took off.

Ok, enough strawberry history…back to Tequila and good times, LOL!

Since strawberry production in Mexico ramped up at the turn of the 1900s, farmers, producers, and everyday casual imbibers started experimenting with utilizing strawberries in their bevvies, crafting unique flavors and profiles based round, you guessed it, Tequila and strawberries.

Now this is where the story gets interesting. Throughout the early 1900s, the study of world-imbibing habits was taking off. Scientists, researchers, journalists, and everyday enthusiasts were traveling abroad sampling, tasting, and most importantly documenting the beverages, elixirs, and concoctions along their way.

The most notable for the Por Mi Amante’s sake was none other than the salesman turned, globe-trotting author, cocktail researcher, culinary epicurean, Charles H. Baker Jr.. Charlie B, for lack of a better word, lived the life. He was a traveler, writer, journalist, turn-of-the-century influencer, creative, and most importantly, did what he wanted, when he wanted, and had a damn good time doing it. On a scholarly note, Charlie B documented every aspect of his adventures in a way that has educated, endured, and in a lot of ways mystified those who study him.

In his 1939 book, “The Gentleman’s Companion”, Baker documented his 14-year-long worldwide imbibing travels, highlighting various countries and libations he discovered along the way. Tucked into the throngs of this book on page 129 is a small segment from his travels to Mexico City in 1937.

The segment reads, “Tequila por Mi Amante of Tequila for My Beloved. This is a prepared beverage requiring patience and takes from three to four weeks.” Charlie B goes on to elaborate that the process, though time-consuming, extracts some of the subtle flavors of the strawberries and mellows out the overall tannic and earthy quality of the Tequila. Their guide was noted to have consumed the elixir “straight,” and Baker alludes that “discoveries would be made” in terms of experimenting with mixing and other fruit infusions.

Since Baker’s 1939 account, little has changed with the Por Mi Amante over the decades. Though countless variations of this cocktail exist, most hold true to using either strawberry-infused Tequila or base spirit or a strawberry simple syrup. The only notable upgrade comes into the mix fairly recently, where modern bartenders began adding a few dashes of local or homemade hot sauce to give the beverage a spicy, smoky, and slightly acidic profile to complement and balance the overall sweetness of the strawberries.

As for the name Por Mi Amante name, there are many ways to translate it. Meaning “For My Lover” or “For My Beloved” in Spanish, the name is indicative of a beverage made for one’s lover or, in 1900s Mexico, made by someone for their partner to take the edge off of drinking Tequila straight.

No matter where the true meaning of the name came from or how you mix it, the Por Mi Amante is one of those classic cocktails striking a balance between sweet, smoky, tart, and spicy that is hard not to love. Cheers!

TASTING & SERVING NOTES

A Leisuremann’s Por Mi Amante pays homage to the love we and others have for the history and culture behind each and every classic cocktail. On first sip you will notice a striking balance between sweet and tart and smoky and spicy. Tart lemon guides you to a smoky and fruity middle culminating in a sweet and spicy strawberry backend. Best served on ice or straight up in a wide coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist and or strawberry slice.

Pro Tip: Try with your favorite aged Tequila or Mezcal for a modern take on a classic bevvy.