tequila food pairings

Celebrate National Tequila Day July 24 with Mexican Mezcal Resort Cocktails

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Celebrate National Tequila Day on Friday, July 24th with at-home suggestions from Mexico’s Velas Resorts Mixologists.  They  share extraordinary  but simple cocktail recipes, tips for drinking the spirit, and food pairing suggestions to appreciate Mexico’s beloved drink even more this year while at home.   For recipes are available for a classic margarita, Horchata version, and even Hibiscus flavor here. For health-conscious tequila drinkers, Grand Velas Los Cabos  suggests  its Wheatgrass Margarita.   A novel twist to morning coffee arrives with Grand Velas Los Cabos’ recipe comes in the new Tequila Sunrise. Native to Guanajuato, Mexico, the tequila cream used is made with Blanco Tequila, coffee, milk, cinnamon, and anise adds a unique Mexican flavor.

SMOKED PEAR SOUR with El Silencio Tequila

Velas Resort barkeep recommends using mezcal, which we love. The simple thing to remember is that All Mezcal is Tequila but not all Tequila is Mezcal — because of the unique way that mezcal is processed from a variety of agave plants (which also make up tequila) that instills a special smoky taste. The heart of the agave plant, the piña, is traditionally slow-cooked in pit ovens, giving it a characteristic smoky flavor. The type of agave plant, as well as the aging process, make each mezcal unique. It is produced in several states in Mexico, the most prominent being Oaxaca.  These days, there are many artisan versions distilled entirely with farmed agave or with wild agave in Mexico. Many mezcals are made with sustainably sourced highland and lowland agaves.

The  ‘margini’ is the Smoke on the Water created by Garh Dokken of the Craft House in Dana Point, CA. The festive, smokey cocktail features Nosotros Reposado withnotes of luxardo cherries, vanilla, and blood orange topped with a charcoal egg white foam. For details on this fine tequila, please see //NosotrosTequila.com.

Nosotros Blood + Sand

¾ oz Nosotros Reposado

¾ oz orange juice (preferably blood orange)

¾ oz cherry heering

¾ oz dry vermouth

3 dashes vanilla extract

Shake and double strain into a chilled coupe

Garnish with an orange peel and a cherry

Smoke on the Water Cocktail (Photo courtesy of Craft House) 

Follow the recipes below from the Pier House in Venice, CA for the Paloma Spritz, that includes both mezcal and tequila for a take on the classic Paloma, and the Amoxicillin, for their stunning rendition of The Penicillin made with mezcal.

San Baltazar Cup

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Mezcal El Silencio Espadin
  • 1 oz. Lime Juice
  • 0.5 oz. Agave Nectar
  • 5 Slices of Cucumber
  • 1-2 Slices of Jalapeno
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1 Splash of Soda

Instructions: Muddled and shaken into Collins glass on the rocks. Serve with cucumber ribbon garnish.

San Baltazar Cup

Silent Daisy

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Mezcal Espadin
  • 0.75 oz. Lemon
  • 0.75 oz. Curacao
  • 1 Egg White

Instructions: Dry whipped, shaken and poured into sour glass. Serve with dehydrated lemon wheel garnish.

The Silent Daisy Cocktail

Paloma Spritz

Ingredients:

  • Mezcal  Espadin
  • Reposado Tequila
  • Grapefruit
  • Sparkling Rose
  • Salt

The Paloma Spritz

Amoxicillin Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • Mezcal Espadin
  • Pineapple
  • Ginger
  • Lemon
  • Spicy Bitters

Amoxicillin Cocktail

The resort’s Zoom backgrounds feature various photos of the spirit in its original form.
In addition to learning new tricks and tips from expert Vicente Díaz, star mixologist at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, below are just a few recommendations from Díaz for drinking the spirit:
  1. Use a medium to large glass, such as a champagne flute, instead of a shot glass.  The extra space encourages the oxygenation process and helps release the tequila’s natural flavors and aroma.
  2. When going to take the first sip of tequila, first swirl the tequila around in the glass to help the oxygenation process. After the second sip, inhale through the nose, swallow the spirit over your tongue, and exhale. This process softens the tequila’s flavor.
  3. If you are drinking tequila while eating, research what kind of tequila pairs best with certain dishes. Silver tequila pairs well with seafood, salads, or pasta, for example. Reposado tequila, which embodies a caramelized flavor, goes well with enchiladas, tacos, and a hot soup or creamy vegetable soup.  Pair your dish with anejo tequila that stands up to the flavor when you are pairing it with spicy food. Ultra-aged tequila is best paired with bitter or bittersweet foods, or milk chocolate. Gold tequila pairs best with sweet flavors or with high-fat cuts.

The heavenly Velas Resort properties overlook the water in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos. Please check the websites for details and more  information.Velas Resorts.

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