How To Make The Most Of Pistola, The Agave-Based Spirit Sourced From The Deccan Plateau
Maya Pistola Agavepura’s Rakshay Dhariwal talks about the uniqueness of Pistola and why he swears by good quality of ice for his cocktails at home
Agave-based spirits are having a moment. In India, Maya Pistola Agavepura is leading the charge with its range of 100% agave variants that feature the Reposado, with notes of butterscotch, cocoa, vanilla and orange marmalade. There’s also, among others, the Anejo, which has a hint of smoke, dark chocolate, oak and dried figs among a melee of other tasting notes.
Made from Agave Americana, that grows wild in the Indian Deccan plateau, Pistola only has 2 ingredients in each bottle: 100% Agave spirit and demineralized water.
Rakshay Dhariwal, founder and managing director of Maya Pistola Agavepura, believes there’s a larger movement in parts of the world, including the US, towards additive-free spirits. “In terms of purity, the fact that Pistola is additive free, and hence hangover free, is a big thing. Today, all mass-market brands are losing out a lot of market share to additive-free brands. People want to consume spirits that have no glycerine, colouring and any other additives,” Dhariwal says on the phone.
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In an interview with Esquire India, Dhariwal talks about the uniqueness of Pistola and why he swears by good quality of ice for his cocktails at home.
Esquire India: What does Pistola bring to a person's bar collection?
Rakshay Dhariwal: It brings a lot to the table. It’s a very versatile spirit. For instance, if someone likes highballs, the Pistola is perfect for something like that. You’ve got all your variants in agave covered well. Apart from that it is available in southern Indian markets, Thailand, Singapore and the US.
It’s a great bottle to have because it’s craft, it’s whole and Indian. Everything about this spirit has been made in India. It’s a great product to have in your home bar. It’s a unique spirit even in terms of its affordability. For 100% agave, it’s about half the price of all other 100% agave spirits.
The fact that it is free of additives and colouring agents is also a great selling point.
ESQ: Give us three easy cocktails you can whip up with Pistola?
RD: I’ll talk about the Pistola Reposado. It makes an amazing picante. It makes for an amazing paloma as well. You can swap it out for a bourbon in an Old Fashioned. These are the three I enjoy the most. It covers all the bases.
Some other recipes that you can try with Pistola include:
1. Pistoloma
Featuring Pistola Joven, with its smooth and vibrant flavour profile, this variant pairs beautifully with the citrusy and effervescent notes of a Paloma, creating a refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients:
60 ml – Pistola Joven
45 ml – Grapefruit Juice
15 ml – Lime Juice
15 ml – Agave Nectar
5 ml – Saline
Method:
Fill a glass with ice.
Add the ingredients listed above.
Top up with Grapefruit Soda & garnish with a Grapefruit wedge.
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2. Pistola Picante
Featuring a zesty blend of agave, citrus, and spice, this tangy blend is a treat apt for the summer heat. Pistola Reposado's aged, smooth, nuanced flavour profile balances the heat and tanginess in a Picante, creating a rich and layered drinking experience.
Ingredients:
45 ml – Pistola Reposado
45 ml – Pineapple Juice
20 ml – Lime Juice
15 ml – Agave Nectar
5 ml – Jalapeño Brine
Method:
Muddle 3 - 4 Jalapeños slices, a bunch of fresh Cilantro and Jalapeño brine in a cocktail shaker.
Add all ingredients.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake to dilute and chill.
Double strain into Tajin rimmed glass.
3. Pistola Vieux Carré
Pistola Extra Añejo's deep, rich flavours of caramel, oak, and spice elevate a Vieux Carré, adding luxurious complexity to the cocktail. Its smooth, aged profile harmonizes with the ingredients, creating a refined and elegant drinking experience.
Ingredients:
● 45 ml – Pistola Extra Añejo
● 15 ml – Sweet Vermouth
● 2.5 ml – Dom Benedictine
● 1 dash – Angostura Bitters
● 1 dash – Peychaud’s Bitters
Method:
1. Add ice in a mixing glass.
2. Assemble ingredients & pour over. Stir the ingredients to dilute & chill.
3. Strain into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with a Cherry.
ESQ: How can a man be at this best - with cocktails and setting up a bar at home? What are some of the dos and don'ts you follow?
RD: The one most important thing for me is the quality of ice. That is such an overlooked factor. You can buy clear ice-making boxes for high-quality ice. Just fill it up and store it in your freezer. Then, a well curated selection of spirits is very important. You need to have a range – including good liqueurs. I’d definitely recommend homegrown spirits.
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Then, good bar tools are a must. You need different kind of shakers, screeners. For each different cocktail, you need different equipment.
The thing that I use the most is a bar spoon. You use that for pretty much all your mixing or any drink that is stirred. Apart from that, a peg measure jigger because you need to measure your quantities correctly. These are the two I use the most.