Sunday, July 11, 2010

Pass The Salt...

The look of tequila in the last 6 years has been progressively climbing uphill. Elegant and trendy and so extremely popular now you can find good tequila almost anywhere. It’s come a long way since my first sip (and hangover) back in 1966.

I learned so much about tequila when I did the marketing study for Cesar’s company a few years back. Tequila is probably the most misunderstood spirit there is because it is so complex. It actually can be compared more to wine than say Vodka or other spirits. This is because tequila comes in different varieties and the character of tequila depends on many things including the aging process, the taste, the aroma, the quantity of the blue agave, the kick, the finish and the flavors of the tequila…and I could go on and on.

If it is a blanco (or silver), reposado, añejo, or ultra añejo, you’ll find a variety of recipes and here are some that Cesar says you’ll enjoy this summer.

Make sure all juices are freshly squeezed from the fruit and you buy the best tequila you can afford. Traditionally, blanco or reposado are used for mixing drinks and añejo, or ultra añejo are reserved for sipping but you can use any tequila you like because with Tequila – there are no rules and that’s all the fun of it!

The incredible Herencia Historico tequila being poured during a tour of Tequilas del Señor. Photo by Grover Sanschagrin.

Margarita

Salt

1 ¼ Ounces Tequila

2 ½ Ounces Cointreau

2 Lemons

4- 5 Ice Cubes

In a shaker add the tequila, Cointreau, lemon juice, ice cubes and shake well. To serve, moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with lemon juice and impregnated with salt.

Tequila Sunset

¾ Ounce Lemon Juice

¾ Ounces Orange Juice

¾ Ounce Gold Tequila

1 TBSP honey

Crushed Ice

Slice Lemon

Hours before put the cups in the freezer. Add the tequila, lime juice and orange juice. Pour the honey into the cup. Add ice and decorate with a slice of lemon.

Tequila Sunrise

3 1/3 Ounces Orange Juice

2 tsp grenadine

1 ounce Tequila

5-6 Ice Cubes

Orange slice

In a shaker put half of ice cubes, orange juice, tequila and shake well. In a tall glass of ice pour the contents of the shaker and pour the grenadine syrup slowly to go to the bottom creating the "sunrise" effect. Do not stir.

Matador Frappe

1 ½ ounces tequila

2 Ounces Pineapple Juice

1 Tbsp Lemonade

¼ Cup Crushed Ice

Mix in blender 10-15 seconds and pour in a cocktail glass

Tequila Sour

2 Ounces of Tequila

1/2 Ounce Lemon Juice

1 tsp sugar

Ice Cubes

Blend all ingredients in a shaker and pour over ice

Rosita

1 Ounce de tequila

1 Ounce Dry Vermouth

1 Ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 Ounce Camparo

Ice Cubes

Mix in a shaker and pour over ice.
Bernardo Torres is a professional tequila sommelier at Tequilas del Senor. P.S. In my next life I am coming back as a tequila sommelier - My dream job!

México Pacifico

1 1/2 Ounces tequila

1/2 Ounce Lemon Juice

1 ounce grenadine

Crushed Ice

Lemon Slices

Mix in a blender at low speed. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices

Diablo Morado

2 Ounces tequila

1 / 2 Ounce Pernod

3 drops of angostura

Ice Cubes

Mix in a shaker. Strain and serve into a cocktail glass

Cesar Mascorro Pérez samples tequilas at the Tequilas del Senor Distillery

Black Mexican

1 1/2 Ounces Tequila

1 Ounce of Coffee Liquor

Ice Cubes

Mix in small picture and fill cocktail glass with ice

Piña Madura

1 Ounce Tequila

Pineapple Juice

Crushed Ice

In a cocktail glass put crushed ice, pour the pineapple juice, add the tequila and serve garnished with a piece of pineapple.

Tequila Fresco

1 Ounce Tequila

1 Ounce spearmint

Crushed Ice

In a cocktail glass, pressing it gently by hand, add the tequila and then the mint.

The Mexican Bomb

1 shot tequila

1 ice cold Mexican beer

Drop a shot of tequila into the beer and stir.

Next week, Cesar be posting recipes made with Liqueurs including Reserva del Senor Premium Almendrado Tequila, an award winning tequila that has a rich amber hue, almond extract nose, full body with delicate marzipan and cocoa flavors. It finishes with a long, spicy, almond nut fade and a tequila dimension that provides a good, balancing bite to the sweetness.

Bon Appetit and Salud… y Gracias Cesar!