Director Soderbergh delivers Bolivian spirits to the States
Singani 63 is piscolike liquor, both floral and herbaceous
The story of how Singani 63 — a clear, grape-based spirit — came to the United States has some cinematic elements. And that’s not just because it is imported by director Steven Soderbergh of “Erin Brokovich” and “Traffic” fame.
As the story unreels, Soderbergh was given a bottle of Singani in 2007 during the production of “Che.” He took one sip and immediately was enchanted by the piscolike spirit’s floral nose and herbaceous flavors. Native to Bolivia, Singani is distilled from Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown at about 6,000 feet above sea level.
Soderbergh wanted to get his hands on more, but there was a hitch: It was not exported to the U.S. So he set about importing it himself, a project that culminated with the creation of his own brand, Singani 63, which is now spreading its way across the country as the Soderbergh PR machine entices bartenders to work with the 80-proof liquor that can be served on the rocks or in creative cocktails.
Ivy Mix, owner of Brooklyn cocktail bar Leyenda and one of the bartending world’s biggest stars, was in Houston recently to promote the brand. Locally, Singani 63 is served at Anvil Bar & Refuge, Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar, Nobie’s and TongueCut Sparrow. At retail it’s sold at Houston Wine Merchant and NASA Liquor Store for $29.99.
This is one of several cocktails Mix has created using Singani 63.
Se Pica Boliva
1 ounce Singani 63 ¾ ounce jalapeño-flavored
tequila ¾ ounce verjus (unripened
grape juice) ¼ ounce yellow Chartreuse ¼ ounce strawberry liqueur
Instructions: Place all ingredients in a glass, stir well. Add large format ice. Twist lime peel over drink and discard.