Reno-based 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing has released its 2026 batch of Amantes Picantes, a limited seasonal ready-to-drink cocktail featuring the company’s vacuum distilled vodka. The launch took place on May 1 with a celebration at the distillery’s taproom in Reno, Nevada, featuring live music and food trucks.
Amantes Picantes is produced using 10 Torr’s vodka infused with habanero and jalapeño peppers, lime, house-made mint simple syrup, and lightly carbonated water. The habaneros and jalapeños are soaked directly in the vodka to develop flavor.
According to the distillery, the 2026 release emphasizes flavor balance over heat. The result is a profile that is less spicy and more rounded compared to prior batches.
"This year’s batch is designed to be easy drinking while still delivering the character people expect," said Jamie Evans, CFO of 10 Torr. "The balance ultimately depends on the peppers, and the team paid close attention throughout the process in order to achieve this year’s flavors."
The launch party at the 10 Torr taproom featured live music from Kilowatt Hours and food from Lety’s Tacos.
Amantes Picantes will not be available for online purchase. Consumers can taste and buy the cocktail at the 10 Torr taproom in Reno and through a selection of regional retail partners. The distillery continues to sell its broader range of beverages online through its website.
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10 Torr’s vodka is produced through a vacuum distillation process that allows spirits to be distilled at significantly lower temperatures than traditional methods. The technique preserves delicate flavors that can be lost through conventional heat-based distillation, resulting in a vodka the company describes as having a clean profile and smooth finish.
The ready-to-drink cocktail category has seen significant growth in the U.S. market in recent years, with consumers increasingly seeking convenient, premium options. Spicy and pepper-forward flavor profiles have emerged as a notable trend within the segment, driven by broader consumer appetite for bold and adventurous taste experiences.
10 Torr’s tasting room is located at 490 Mill Street in Reno, Nevada. It opens at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 2 p.m. on Fridays, noon on Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
