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Chipotle has tried a few tactics to bring back its formerly booming business following the foodborne illness hysteria—from giving away free food to hiring food safety consulting firms. But its latest move might actually do the trick. Mostly because it involves copious amounts of booze.
According to Westword, one location of the burrito chain has been selected to test-run a new spiked drinks menu that includes frozen margaritas, sangria, a cooler full of canned and bottled beer, plus at least one brew on tap. The new lineup was created in conjunction with sommelier Richard Betts, who said the concept was based on one question: "How do we offer beverages with integrity?"
While Chipotle has offered a standard on-the-rocks marg since the company first launched 20 years ago, the new iteration is a frozen concoction made with mexcal from Oaxaca, Mexico, plus Astral tequila and agave syrup, ice, and lime juice. There's a distinct smoky hint to each sip thanks to the addition of mezcal, Betts points out.
The sangria isn't made in house. Instead, the crew opted for a bottled version from California called Eppa Sangria. Soon, though, Chipotle will be using kegs of the wine cocktail to cut back on waste. For suds, Betts chose Oskar Blues Beerito (a Vienna Mexican lager) on tap and Modelo Especial in cans.
But there also a few non-alcoholic additions as well, including watermelon agua fresca and a hibiscus tea jolted with lemongrass. The lucky location is situated at Sixth Avenue and Broadway in Denver because of its expansive patio, which—let's be honest—is ideal for boozing under the sun.
So far, the company says it hasn't set a timeline for rolling out this program to the rest of the country just yet, but we're keeping our fingers crossed. And so should you.
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