The United States celebrates Cinco de Mayo each year with as much, if not more, gusto than those in Mexico. If you are opting to celebrate the occasion with some cocktail creations of your own, think about mixing one of these up. They are guaranteed to put you in the proper party mood.
Herradura Emerald Sea
2 oz Herradura Silver
1 ½ oz Aloe Juice
½ oz Lime Juice
½ oz Simple Syrup
1 ½ oz Cucumber Juice
Cayenne/salt rim
1 Cucumber Disc
First prepare the cayenne and salt rim, pour cayenne powder and salt in a 1:2 ratio on a saucer. Rim the glass with agave syrup, lime juice or simple syrup. Place the rim up end into the cayenne salt mix. Place all liquid ingredients into a Boston shaker. Fill old fashioned glass with Ice carefully as not to disturb the rim. Strain contents of Boston Shaker carefully. Garnish with cucumber disc.
I love adding savory, herbal, fresh ingredients to sweet fruity things adding that comparison/contrast to a cocktail and Brand Ambassador Brian Van Flandern from Tequila Don Julio does this with his Pina Perfection Margarita.
Piña Perfection Margarita, Brian Van Flandern, Tequila Don Julio Global Brand Ambassador
1 1/4 ounces Tequila Don Julio Añejo
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce fresh pineapple juice
Fresh rosemary
1/4 ounce simple syrup
Sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish
Muddle fresh rosemary into a cocktail shaker. Add Don Julio Añejo, fresh lime juice, fresh pineapple juice, and simple syrup into the cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a highball glass. Garnish with sprig of fresh rosemary.
Espolon tequila has adopted the thought, followed by the creation of great cocktails paired with tasty tacos, as the taco stand visit at the end of a celebratory night of libations is a favorite, and common, ritual for tequila sippers across the country.”Drinks First, Tacos Later,” is an Espolón Tequila motto. With this they worked with a handful of mixologists and taco truck vendors and created perfect pairings. This is was my favorite created to honor one of the favorite taco trucks in San Francisco, and utilizing a popular apple flavored Mexican soft drink.
Sidra de la Mula (Apple Cider Mule) Created by H. Joseph Ehrmann of
Elixir, San Francisco
1.5 oz. Espolón Tequila Blanco
12 oz. Bottle of Sidral Mundet
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 squeeze of a Lemon Slice
Combine all ingredients in a 16 oz. cup of ice and stir.
Enjoy With
Pollo Asado Tacos
El Tonayense Taco Truck,
San Francisco, CA
Ingredients:
2 lbs. boneless chicken breast, cut into cubes
½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 tbs. black pepper
2 tbs. garlic salt
Salt to taste
Hard taco shells
Toppings to taste
Combine chicken, orange juice, pepper, garlic salt and salt in a bowl. Refrigerate and let marinate overnight. Sauté chicken in a hot pan until cooked through. Dish into taco shells and garnish with your favorite toppings.
If you want to save a few calories during the celebration Partida thinks they have the perfect fit in the Partida “Low Cal” Margarita
1 oz. lime juice (app. the juice from one lime)
¾ oz. pure, organic agave nectar
¾ oz. pure spring water
1.5 oz. Partida Tequila Blanco, Reposado or Añejo
Combine all ingredients together in a shaker with ice and serve in a margarita glass.
I will take it one step further with one of my favorites
1 ½ oz Patron Silver
Juice of one lime
3 or 4 oz Sparkling Water or Club Soda
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and serve in a rocks glass over ice with an additional lime garnish.
Or take it another step with a clean shot of super premium sipping tequila, like Casa Dragones. I had the chance to visit with the founder of Casa Dragones, Berta Gonzalez Nieves, a few weeks ago and am excited this luxurious spirit has been introduced into the Dallas market. Nieves, a former executive with Jose Cuervo, is the only woman to date certified as a Meastra Tequilera (Tequila Master) by the Academia Mexican de Catadores de Tequila. An impressive accomplishment in any industry heavily controlled by men. Berta started Casa Dragones just a few years ago with the goal to create the highest quality tequila possible, a Blue Agave Joven tequila. The Joven classification indicates the spirit is aged for 5 years in American oak barrels, Reposado is two years, after a very small batch production, then bottled in a hand etched lead free crystal bottle, hand inspected and personally signed by Nieves after the quality of each bottle has been confirmed. And the sipping should be slow, focused and respected, because it is beautiful. Poured neat in a tequila sipper, that would most resemble a cordial glass, allowing the full elegance of the aromas to lift out of the glass, mainly citrus, spice, wild flowers and a thin layer of vanilla this is a smooth tequila that will make anyone into a tequila lover.
