Collaboration Imbues Iconic Nacho Cheese Flavor of Doritos Into a First-of-Its-Kind Distilled Spirit
Image: Pepsi Co / Frito Lay
Collaboration Imbues Iconic Nacho Cheese Flavor of Doritos Into a First-of-Its-Kind Distilled Spirit
Doritos today unveiled a collaboration with global flavor innovator Empirical: Empirical x Doritos® Nacho Cheese Spirit. This limited-release offers a multi-sensorial, savory nacho cheese-imbued beverage experience that smells and tastes just like the real thing – bringing the iconic flavor of Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips into the spirits aisle.
“Doritos is all about disrupting culture and bringing our fans unexpected, bold experiences,” said Tina Mahal, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Frito-Lay North America. “We’re always pushing our fans to try new things, so we figure it’s time we disrupt the spirits category by offering our iconic nacho cheese flavor in a bottle.”
The partnership marks a first-of-a-kind innovation for both brands and brings fans a truly new experience. To create the flavor, the many flavor layers of Doritos Nacho Cheese are extracted through Empirical’s innovative production process, using real Doritos chips and retaining their essence through vacuum distillation. Unlike traditional distillation methods, vacuum distillation operates at lower temperatures, preserving the full spectrum of flavors derived from Doritos.
“Empirical is an ‘uncategorized’ spirits company, so it allows us the freedom to experiment with really interesting flavors and not have to be stuck in a gin box or tequila box or whiskey box,” says Lars Williams, Chef/Distiller & CEO, Empirical. “And we can take something that has a unique and amazing flavor, like Doritos, and evolve it into something completely new.”
Limited-edition bottles of Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit will be available next month for a suggested retail price of $65.00 (42% ABV, 750ml) online and in select New York and California markets. Pre-orders begin December 13, 2023 at doritos.x.empirical.co. For more information, visit empirical.co and follow along @doritos.
TASTING NOTES: Empirical x Doritos® Nacho Cheese Spirit
FLAVOR Nacho Cheese, corn tostada, umami, hint of acidity
ENJOY In a Margarita, Bloody Mary, Old Fashioned, neat or over ice, or any way Doritos fans like!
TASTES LIKE The real thing! Experience the indulgent flavors of your favorite snack in liquid form. The spirit opens with umami and tangy aromas of nacho cheese, moving to the deeper, corn-forward flavors of the chip to finish on a soft salty note.
COCKTAILS: Empirical x Doritos® Nacho Cheese Spirit
Double Triangle Margarita
1 oz Empirical x Doritos® Nacho Cheese Spirit
1 oz blanco tequila
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.75 oz agave syrup (3:1)
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a Tajín salt rim and a lime wheel.
Mary Mary
1.5 oz Empirical x Doritos® Nacho Cheese Spirit
.5 oz tequila
3 oz tomato juice
1 barspoon lemon juice
1 barspoon Worcestershire sauce
Big pinch of celery salt
Big pinch of cracked black pepper
Tiny pinch of cayenne
Build all ingredients in a Collins glass. Add ice and pass a barspoon through the drink 3 to 4 times. Garnish with pepperoncini, seasoned celery and a pickled onion.
Red Bag Old Fashioned
1.5 oz Empirical x Doritos® Nacho Cheese Spirit
.5 oz Ayuuk (sub for Mezcal if needed)
1 barspoon sugar syrup (2:1)
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 teeny tiny pinch of salt OR 2 dashes saline solution (10%)
Build in a Double Old Fashioned glass. Add ice and stir for 5 to 8 seconds. Garnish with an orange twist.
Source: Company Press Release