MEDIA:
2024 – Tingala is a Foray into Uncharted Sensory Territories!
By Stephanie Wilson, Denver Life Magazine
In the blossoming spirits landscape of Colorado, Tingala stands out as a trailblazer, infusing cocktails with an element of the unexpected—like nothing you’ve experienced before. With its roots tracing back to exotic Brazilian flowers, Tingala presents a taste profile that’s as unique as its origin.
Tingala liqueur, boasting a cinnamon-allspice foundation with lemon-citrus highs, is a blend of the savory, the herbal, and the subtly floral. But the real showstopper is the inclusion of fresh tropical spilanthes flowers, also known as buzz buttons. This key ingredient bestows its signature tingling sensation, reminiscent of a Pop Rocks adventure but matured for the adult palate. It’s not just a drink; it’s a tactile journey.
The magic of Tingala lies not just in its flavor but also in its ability to amplify other tastes. Susan Tews, the brand’s founder, notes that the spilanthes botanical, or nature’s “supertaster flower,” subtly increases salivation and opens the taste buds. This makes Tingala an exceptional companion to both drinks and food. Try following a sip of water or a Colorado craft beer with Tingala to discover a heightened taste experience. This trick also works wonders with various food flavors, from creamy and salty to bittersweet.
Denver’s adventurous mixologists have already embraced Tingala, weaving its character into cocktails at locales like The Nickel at Hotel Teatro and Adrift. At AJ’s Steakhouse (formerly Clairette Wash Park) Forget Me Not cocktail shown here featuring Tingala, showcases the spirit’s versatility and appeal. Taste for yourself what the fuss is about; bottles are available at retailers throughout the region.
2023 – Tongue-sizzling sips with Tingala
by Jay McKinney, Thirst Colorado
https://www.thirstcolorado.com/source/2023/1/19/tongue-sizzling-sipsnbspwith-tingala
When it comes to mixing up a cocktail, most ingredients are used for the flavor they contribute. While a dash of bitters here or a sugar cube there can be the make-or-break difference to the perfect drink, Tingala is a liqueur made in Colorado that enhances the mouthfeel of the cocktail it’s added to. So, what exactly is this spirit and how does it differ from other cocktail additives?
Adrift Tiki Bar’s Snow Drip cocktail
Tingala is made from a species of exotic flowers known commonly as Buzz Buttons. Native to Brazil, the small yellow flowers contain a natural fatty acid called amide spilanthol that enlivens the tissues of the mouth, tongue and lips through a process called chemesthesis. In layman’s terms, Tingala produces a tingly sensation that has been described as similar to that of Pop Rocks candy.
At 50 percent ABV, the spirit is meant to be an additive, and mixologists are embracing the product for the new dimension it allows in cocktail creation. One sip of a drink mixed with Tingala, and one can feel the mouth-buzzing sensation for several minutes afterward. The possibilities are endless as Tingala can add a new twist to classic cocktails or be the star ingredient in an entirely new creation.
“Colorado bars are introducing Tingala to their customers and serving it in innovative ways in cocktails,” says Tingala co-founder and president Susan Tews. “It’s versatile, flavorful, and like nothing else. We’re constantly amazed at the creativity of the bartenders using it in cocktails.”
Corey Thompson is the bar manager at Adrift Tiki Bar and praises the liqueur for its tongue-tingling qualities and its flavor profile.
“The main appeal of Tingala for most is its Sichuan peppercorn-like tingle and the playful numbing that you get from the buzz buttons with which Tingala is made,” Thompson says. “However, it really does have a beautiful flavor profile reminiscent of cinnamon, allspice, and citrus. Tingala truly is one of a kind and I’m very happy to have it produced just down the road in Golden.”
Check out these places and their innovative Tingala creations:
Adrift Tiki Bar – Snow Drip
A holiday-inspired cocktail, this daiquiri combines spiced rum with Tingala to create spicy and floral notes. Mixed with pineapple, lime, and Angostura bitters, this delicious cocktail will have you ordering a second.
E3 Chophouse in Steamboat Springs: Mezcal Numbgroni – Tingala is the numbing ingredient for which this Negroni-inspired drink is named. Other ingredients include Madre Ensamble Mezcal, Campari and Sweet Vermouth.
La Chiva: Panelazo – This Colombian libation is made with warm Agua de panela (a simple syrup), fresh lime juice, Tingala and is garnished with a mint leaf and cinnamon stick. Recipe here.
Occidental: Crooked Teeth – Crooked Teeth is a house cocktail at the popular LoHi bar and is made with Pumpkin Milagro Tequila, Tingala, demerara and lemon.
Slashers Denver: Ants in Your Ears – A cocktail for the most adventurous drinker, this Tingala-infused drink is made with rye, plum and vanilla brown sugar syrup, Burlesque bitters and ants. Yes, you read that correctly.
photo by Jake Holschuh
