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Say goodbye to frustrated and flustered moments at late night bars ordering a complicated drink. There is now a solution for that. A creative and light refreshing beverage that is low in calories, carbohydrates and sugar has been born. Downtown is giving you the exclusive look on TIQO, the newly born sophisticated premium bottled tequila beverage that was invented by three college students.
TIQO is an exotic blend of Tequila Blanco, coconut water, natural ginger flavors, lime juice, turmeric root and carbonated water in the convenience of a bottle. This is one of the few licensed brands to bottle pre-mixed tequila in America. It is most certainly a unisex beverage. The ingredients and design have cross-gender appeal as tequila, coconut water, ginger, turmeric root and lime are all consumed equally by men and women. Both men and women are looking for a more refreshing and lighter alternative when they do not want beer. TIQO is a unique blend of these ingredients and none of them are too overpowering, so even those who do not typically consider themselves fans of tequila or coconut water [are] fans of TIQO.
TIQO is distributed by Empire and was founded by female college students Sarah Pierce, GG Mirvis, and Alex Combias. This chic new alcoholic beverage can be found in over 100 current liquor stores and venues around the state. For the complete list of locations on where to buy TIQO click here.
With the founders’ great support from Empire, they have taken the time to explain their inspiration and story behind TIQO to Downtown. According to Pierce, she found herself having difficulty keeping up with the group’s grab-and-go ability of drinking a beer during a trip to Costa Rica, as she was not a beer drinker herself. She soon realized early on in the trip that there was no quality beverage served in the convenience of a bottle, and knew there was a niche in the beverage market for this unique concept.
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{Ladies from Downtown Magazine toasting with TIQO}
Inspired by a local recipe that blended tequila and coconut water, Mirvis and Pierce immediately started to develop the flavors behind the TIQO beverage. After a few homemade batches and test runs, the experimental duo were on to something and they developed their signature “Q” flavor, which is a unique combination of turmeric root and natural ginger flavors that pair perfectly with the tequila, lime and coconut mixture.
“During the development of the product, I joined as their third partner to help bring TIQO to market by solidifying strategic distribution channels,” Combias said.
TIQO uses the finest tequila harvested and distilled by Casa Maestri, a boutique distillery located in the heart of Tequila, Mexico. It uses old traditional methods to create high quality tequila. It is then batched with coconut water flown in from Indonesia and the signature “Q” flavor, and then barreled and packaged to perfection in Minnesota. Each bottle is made with natural ingredients and contains .8oz of 110 proof Tequila Blanco (about 2oz of a standard proof tequila) with only 160 calories per bottle.
While we may have been sold at only 160 calories per bottle, the aesthetics are also a plus. The sleek design of the 12.7oz bottle represents the ethos of the TIQO beverage.
“The TIQO logo is a combination of the most basic shapes creating a geometric sobriety that immediately captures the eye. The simple black and sleek aluminum bottle contrasts and balances the stark white logo for a perfect visual balance just like the ingredients of TIQO itself,” said Pierce.
Being that Downtown is presenting one of TIQO’s first press drops, we were able to receive the founder’s thoughts and opinions on the lower Manhattan area in NYC.
According to Pierce, TIQO’s soft-launch began in downtown New York three months ago, as all 3 of the TIQO partners live in downtown New York and go out in their neighborhoods. TIQO has been sold in popular lower East Side bars such as Rochelle’s and Jerome’s, as well as newer bars such as The Folly and The Raven.
“TIQO is not only a drink of downtown New York, but all of the company’s creative content as seen on the TIQO website and social media is produced by local New York City based artists. We also partner with underground NYC and Brooklyn DJs and musicians. ‘Downtown New York is TIQO’s home,’” Pierce said.
Starting June 19th, TIQO will be hosting a series of summer Friday parties in collaboration with Olu Alege and Street Level Culture. Every Friday from 5-8 p.m., TIQO will be hosting local DJs at various rooftop venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn. TIQO will also be hosting pop-up events in Montauk this summer. On June 26th, TIQO will be hosting DJ Ricci Steez for a Sunset Bonfire at Montauk Beach House, so be sure and check it out.
Consumers can find a retail location on TIQO’s website (www.tiqobeverage.com). A 12.7oz bottle of TIQO retails for $4-$6 at a liquor store and $10-$12 at a bar or restaurant.
“There is always those 5 seconds of awkwardness when you stare at the bartender or at all the options on the shelf and don’t know what you want. TIQO fills that void. We call it summer water because it’s light and refreshing but still maintains the kick tequila. It’s perfect for the beach, at a concert or one in the morning when you’re in the club.” –Sarah Pierce co-founder of TIQO
“I’m always that girl at the bar annoying the bartender asking for tequila on the rocks, with a splash of this or that. I never have that easy go-to drink. That is why we created TIQO – to give people who just want something easy that tastes good and is made with fresh ingredients.” –GG Mirvis co-founder of TIQO
“When I was approached with the idea, I was that girl drinking cranberry-vodka wishing there was something easier and lighter that I actually enjoyed. I knew I wanted to be involved with TIQO because it is exactly that drink – there is really nothing else like it on the market.” –Alex Combias co-founder of TIQO
Stay connected with TIQO and follow them on various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
by- Albany Reed