WHAT

Triple Sec / Orange Liqueur

WHERE

Mexico City, Mexico

Flor de Azar was created by Gabrielle Weiss and Ali Holzer — two women who met in college, spent years separately building careers in beverages (wine, tequila, brand development), and eventually decided to make something of their own. Ali grew up in Mexico City, and that shaped the whole direction: a Mexican triple sec worthy of the world's most popular cocktail, the margarita.

It's produced at the Flor de Luna micro-distillery in Mexico City by Maestra Destiladora Hillhamn Salome — award-winning, women-owned, copper pot. The base spirit is triple-distilled from barley, corn, and rye. Ten botanicals — sweet and bitter oranges, pomelo, tangerine, lime, orange blossom, lavender, cardamom, tuberose, and black pepper — are macerated in the spirit for four days before a final distillation. Sweetened with agave nectar, which also gives it its warm golden hue. The name comes from "flor de azahar" (orange blossom in Spanish) and "azar" (luck or chance) — a nod to the classic Mexican card game Lotería.

The result is a triple sec with far more going on than the category usually offers. The citrus is vivid and multi-layered, cardamom comes through clearly, black pepper adds spice, and the agave nectar rounds it all out without making it sweet. Works beautifully in a classic margarita, but interesting enough to sip on its own over ice.