Review: Private Launch of COÇA PURA Tequila at Proper West

We were able to sample smooth tequila at the launch of COÇA PURA Tequila, a 90-proof sipping tequila made from 100 percent Blue Weber Agave on November 19, 2019 at Proper West. The whole downstairs area hosted their private launch.

There were five craft cocktails that utliized COÇA PURA and paired with some delicious bites complementary to the cocktail. The cocktails included the Palomita with fresh lime, pink grapefruit and agave paired with the Poke Tostada, “Pear”adise Lost with pear nectar, Grand Marnier and cinnamon paired with the Veggie Spring Rolls, Moda Nova with cinnamon, chocolate and orange paired with Charcuterie & Cheese, Coça Picosa with habanero, lime and sea salt paired with Bang Bang Shrimp, and the Stay Up with Kahlua, espresso and vanilla paired with Raspberry & Fontina. Additional drinks were the Spiked Sangria and Chinela Shot served with an orange wedge and cinnamon.

Each drink was made on the spot by fine mixologists. We started with the “Pear”adise Lost that was a little sweet but just right. Next, we tried Stay Up, which again hit the spot. Then we finished with the Moda Nova, which was not too sweet.

COÇA PURA, meaning “the purest thing” in English, hails from Jalisco, Mexico. This twice distilled, gluten-free spirit is made by combining black agave seedlings, obsidian rich earth and a carefully curated process ensuring a pure product. A delicious blend of lowland and highland agave results in a delicate balance between sweet and floral, and vegetal and herbal notes. This makes for a pure, smooth, sipping tequila.

The idea of COÇA PURA began back in 2016, when some of the partners were dining at James Beard Award winner Jose Enrique’s restaurant in Puerto Rico. When they noticed Enrique pairing delicious dishes with tequila, rather than rum, this piqued their interest. From there, they headed back to New York to gather some inspiration. This led several of them to Jalisco, Mexico.

While in Jalisco, they worked closely with their chosen distillery’s engineers and chemists, to develop a 90-proof sipping Plata (Silver) tequila. COÇA PURA is a delicious blend of 100 percent Blue Weber Agave from both highlands (50 percent) and lowlands (50 percent). The agave hearts are slow baked for 48 hours and then left to rest for another 12 in the oven to ensure maximum flavor from the agave juice; this is a key step before distilling and results in exceptional tequila. COÇA PURA is dua- distilled to create a smooth and crisp finish that’s mellow on the palette. After the distilling process, the tequila is rested for no longer than two months before being bottled.

Also, COÇA PURA’s bottle is unlike any other– designed by the partners whose background is deep rooted in various areas of the fashion industry.

This fine product can be found at: Fine & Rare, Proper West, Flatiron Room, Casa Enrique, Rooftop 93, La Cubana, Reserve Cut, La Contenta, UES, BondSt, SHI, Corazon De Mexico, Los Dos, Son Cubano & Las Ventanas. More about the product can be found at cocapura.com.