Binny’s Beverage Depot, Illinois’ dominant chain of liquor stores, is now offering a newly available alcoholic beverage called Tepache Sazón. Tepache Sazón is the first commercially-available alcoholic tepache, a traditional Mexican beverage with roots dating back to the Aztecs. It is produced in San Pancho, Nayarit, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Tepache is typically brewed by home cooks, street cart vendors, and chefs using perfectly ripe fruit, mainly pineapples, along with herbs, botanicals, and a small amount of sugar. The recipe may vary from region to region, with each community taking pride in their unique interpretation.
Tepache Sazón stays true to this tradition by using only three natural ingredients: sweet, locally sourced pineapples; piloncillo, also known as raw cane sugar; and canela, a flavorful cinnamon commonly used in Mexican cuisine. The pineapple fields are located just 50 kilometers from the tepacheria, the production facility responsible for creating this unique beverage. After undergoing a fermentation process, the super-sweet fruits are combined with raw brown sugar, which is then milled and boiled into a caramel-like liquid. The liquid is dried using a traditional method involving conical wooden molds. Finally, a touch of canela is added to the mix, resulting in a 7% ABV, naturally gluten-free beverage that pays homage to a long-standing Mexican tradition.
Bottled in 375 ml glass bottles and available in packs of four, Tepache Sazón presents itself as a light, amber liquid with a perfect balance between sugar and acidity. Bursting with a well-balanced tartness from the tropical fruit, it offers subtle hints of spice and toasted caramel beneath the effervescent fizz, providing drinkers with a genuine taste of San Pancho.
Binny’s Beverage Depot is excited to partner with Tepache Sazón, offering customers the chance to experience this authentic Mexican beverage. Kaj Hakkinen, Back Bar Project’s Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that Binny’s shares their passion for exceptional beverages.
Tepache Sazón offers versatility in consumption. It can be enjoyed chilled straight from the bottle, or with a shot of any quality Mexican spirit to highlight its flavors. The fruit and spice notes of Tepache Sazón enhance the agave in Tequila, complement the smoky taste of Mezcal, and perfectly accompany the herbal and botanical undertones of Raicilla. For a refreshing twist, it can be squeezed with a bit of lemon or lime or poured over ice with a salt rim. In Mexico, it is often enjoyed alongside greasy foods, making it an ideal accompaniment to Chicago deep dish pizza or Italian Sandwich.
Its namesake, Sazón, holds significant meaning in Mexico. Although there is no direct translation in English, it refers to the culinary touch that makes someone’s food or drink uniquely special, similar to a signature dish made to perfection by a grandmother.
Breakthru Beverages, a well-known distributor, is responsible for distributing Tepache Sazón in Illinois.
With its rich historical background, use of natural ingredients, and a taste that captures the essence of Mexican heritage, Tepache Sazón is set to become a popular choice among beverage enthusiasts in Illinois. With Binny’s Beverage Depot now offering Tepache Sazón in their stores, customers have the opportunity to enjoy this authentic Mexican beverage and embark on a flavorful journey.
