Product: Patron Citronge Producer: Patron Approximate Retail Value: $11.99 for 375ml Category: Liqueur, Liqueur Country of Origin: Mexico Reviewer: M.S. Barnhart The F Words: Flavor – Tingly, biting at first Feel – Smooth Finish – Orange-y for a couple minutes

Rating:

Tequila and I have always had an on again, off again relationship. I adore tequila in Margaritas, and I've had a soft spot for tequila shots. But, in my experience, tequila has been the main liquor to have the effect of making people go absolutely crazy. This has happened to me several times, and I won't bore you with the details, but there's something about tequila that makes people lose their minds.

Everyone has at least heard of Patron and the exquisite taste it brings to the table, and it lives up to its name in every way, shape and form. The liqueurs, however, aren't as recognized as the straight liquor. To be honest, when I heard of Patron Citronge, I had no idea what it was. I later found out that it was a liqueur, which is great. I love liqueurs!

As its name suggests, this specific liqueur has a hint of orange. It is 80 proof and has a strong but not overpowering odor. The Patron website suggests mixing it in Cosmos, Margaritas and other various recipes. Patron is produced in Mexico, and therefore it's common sense that the liqueurs are as well. They're imported into Las Vegas and then distributed from there.

Several people, including the website, suggested drinking it straight, but once I got a whiff of it and nearly became teary eyed, I began to wonder if these people were of a sane mind when they said that. Once it entered my mouth, it does a very strange thing that I've never experienced before. It's biting and strong the second it hits your tongue, but once swallowed, an orange aroma fills your mouth. It's quite nice, actually. It's almost as if the liquor transforms inside your mouth. It's a neat feeling actually, having the aroma fill your mouth.

The orange flavor stays there for several minutes. There is a numbing sensation in the very back of your throat and on the top of your mouth, though not entirely numb. You know when you're at the dentist and you're coming off the Novocaine? Yeah, it feels like that. It doesn't last long, maybe about as long as the orange flavor lasts; imagine that. It's quite the affect, though.

As I'm sure you were expecting, I decided to mix it with orange juice. I just had to find out how an orange liqueur would taste with orange juice. The orange juice makes it practically invisible.

Out of sure curiosity and going overboard, I decided to add a touch of Jose Cuervo in the mix of OJ and Patron Citronge. Why Cuervo and not Patron? Don't ask.

Even with the addition of Cuervo, it mixed extremely well. I could taste a hint of it, but not really. It was a fantastic mix, as expected. If I had had grenadine it would have become a Cuervo Citronge Sunrise.

I would definitely suggest this liqueur to anyone in need of a fun mixer for their next party. If you love Patron, you'll love Patron Citronge.