Tequila Vodka Blend Aromatic Integration via Phase Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing flavored alcoholic beverages using tequila and vodka lack the integration of hop flowers, which impart unique herbal, citrus aromas and bitterness, and fail to effectively preserve these characteristics over time.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the purification of tequila and vodka, followed by maceration with hop and citrus aromatic components at controlled temperatures, and subsequent distillation to concentrate and retain the volatile compounds, resulting in a balanced beverage with integrated aroma and flavor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hop flowers and citrus peels are added to tequila and vodka blends, then the beverage gains unique herbal, citrus aroma and bitterness, but the volatile aromatic compounds are lost over time due to evaporation and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic compoundsVSAvoidaroma longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies phase transition by freezing the tequila and vodka blends at sub-zero temperatures (-5°C to -10°C) to concentrate the aromatic compounds. The freezing process causes water to crystallize, leaving the aromatic compounds concentrated in the remaining liquid phase. This phase transition preserves the volatile compounds that would otherwise evaporate or degrade over time, allowing the beverage to maintain its herbal and citrus aroma characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from room temperature to sub-zero temperatures during the concentration process. By controlling the temperature parameter and performing fractional freezing, the patent achieves concentration of aromatic compounds without loss of volatility. This parameter change allows the beverage to retain its aromatic properties while extending the duration of aroma persistence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If continuous cooling treatment is applied to purify tequila, then the beverage achieves balanced flavor and integrated aroma, but the process requires extended processing time and energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor balanceVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing continuous cooling treatment at the beginning of the production process, before mixing the final beverage components. This preliminary cooling and purification step prepares the base spirits with optimized flavor profiles and integrated aromas in advance, ensuring that subsequent mixing and bottling steps are quick and straightforward. The preliminary action reduces the need for extended processing later in the production timeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs continuous cooling treatment rather than batch cooling, maintaining a continuous flow of tequila and vodka through the cooling system. This continuous action efficiently removes undesired compounds and integrates aromatic components without interruption, achieving precise flavor balance in a time-effective manner. The continuous process optimizes both processing time and energy utilization compared to intermittent batch methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method produces a beverage with a well-rounded flavor, balanced acidity and bitterness, and a long-lasting aromatic composition that is neither overly sweet nor harsh, effectively utilizing hop flowers and citrus peels to enhance the tequila and vodka blend.

Implementation Method 1

mixing the alcohol compounds of vodka and tequila purified according to the previous step with their corresponding aromatic components of hop and citruses, and macerating the obtained mixtures at room temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

distilling the macerated mixtures of vodka and tequila obtained in the previous step

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 3

mixing the alcohol compounds of vodka and tequila purified according to the previous step with their corresponding aromatic components of hop and citruses, and macerating the obtained mixtures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaceration: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3321349B1Method for producing an alcoholic beverage based on tequila and vodka
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 BALEARIC AFFAIR SOC
  • EP3321349B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a novel method for producing an alcoholic beverage based on tequila and vodka, comprising the following steps: (a) purifying (5, 6) the primary alcohol compounds of vodka (1) and tequila (2); (b) mixing (7, 8) the purified alcohol compounds of vodka (1) and tequila (2) with their corresponding aromatic components of hop (3) and citruses (4), and macerating the obtained mixtures at room temperature; (c) distilling (9, 10) the macerated mixtures of vodka (1) and tequila (2) obtained in the previous step; and (d) mixing (11) the distillates of vodka (1) and tequila (2) with one another, thereby obtaining the final beverage product. The main advantage of the invention is that the beverage obtained as a final product has a highly integrated aromatic composition, with a well-rounded flavor on the palate and well-balanced acidity and bitterness, and it is fairly but not overly sweet.