Drink of the Week: Loca Loka Tequila

Founded by Rana Daggubati, Anirudh Ravichander, and Harsha Vadlamudi. Loca Loka tequila represents a fusion of Indian and Mexican cultures, with its name merging the Spanish word “loca” (crazy) and the Sanskrit word “loka” (world). 

Loca Loka produces blanco and reposado tequila using mature (6 years and older) 100 percent blue Weber agave harvested from the highlands of Jalisco. The tequila’s journey begins with the meticulous hand-selection of mature agave hearts, ensuring the purest and most flavorful spirit. The hearts are then slow-cooked in brick ovens for several days. This gentle process unlocks the agave’s natural sweetness and complexity. After cooking, the softened agave hearts are crushed using rollers or screw mills, releasing that sweet, sweet agave nectar. The extracted nectar undergoes a natural fermentation process led by a special yeast strain.

During this transformation, sugars convert to alcohol, creating the base spirit for Loca Loka tequila. The fermented liquid is then double distilled in pot stills. This two-step process meticulously removes impurities while preserving the unique agave character of Loca Loka. The tequila embarks on its final transformative journey. A long maturation is the key to achieving the smoothest and most nuanced flavor profile.

Loca Loka’s blanco has a distinct fruity character with subtle earthy and floral notes, while the reposado has a richer, oaky flavor that comes from aging in French and American oak barrels. Both expressions have garnered awards from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a silver for the blanco and a gold for the reposado. “We are incredibly proud of our tequila and the great accolades we received from the world-renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition for the first time,” said Laurence Brady of Loca Loka USA. “Since launching in 2024, these recognition’s are a true testament to the quality of our tequilas and we’re thrilled to see the brand honored on such a highly regarded global stage.” 

Both tequilas can be sipped or mixed into a variety of cocktails from classics like the Paloma and Margarita to originals like the Loca Loka Sparkler, which is perfect for summertime. Head to localoka.com to find a bottle near you.

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