TASTE: Pancho y Lefty — Cold-Brewed Tequila
Pancho y Lefty - now known simply as Cold-Brewed Tequila at Ama Cocina .2.0 Photo: Konrad Odhiambo/The Dishing.
The signature Yama tower cold-brewed tequila formerly known as the Pancho y Lefty is back on the menu at Ama Cocina 2.0.
Words: Susie Davidson Powell
Photos: Konrad Odhiambo + Susie Davidson Powell/The Dishing
The cocktail: Pancho y Lefty - now simply known as Cold-Brewed Tequila
The place: Ama Cocina in downtown Albany
The backstory: Ama Cocina’s cold-brewed tequila was originally known as Pancho Y Lefty, but Daniel’s has revived the creation without the name, and also created a sweeter cold-brew martini drizzled with caramel that could rival any dessert.
For the build: Tequila blanco is dripped over ice through coffee grounds in a Yama cold-brew tower with glass chambers and a glass coil for the slow drip feed which can take up to 30 hours. The cold-brew tequila is finished with brown sugar simple syrup and a touch of chile and is poured straight up over large ice. Cinnamon optional.
The intel: How did the original Pancho y Lefty get its original name? That tale may be lost to history but The Dishing did a little digging and it seems most likely to have been named after the Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard "Pancho and Lefty" song about betrayal during the Mexican Revolution, or the 2006 "Pancho and Lefty" short film about a Mexican rancher and a bounty hunter. Either way, Viva la revolución!
What to get: Order the Pancho y Lefty - or cold-brewed tequila. We love the tacos al pastor + our hot new intel is that Ama’s oyster shooters are back — a recent revival from the original menu. What’s in the shot? Garlic, shallot, black pepper, lime, agave + tequila. Cheers!
Read more about GM, Managing Partner + occasional bartender, Tisean Daniels, in our tastemaker interview.
