tequila recipes

Rosangel Hibiscus-Flavored Tequila, A Cinco de Mayo Treat

Filed under: Spirits

Sipping a margarita made with the hibiscus-infused Gran Centenario's Rosangel's Tequila took me back several decades to when I tasted my first flavored spirit. It was a Buffalo vodka and appropriately enough, it was served to me in the former USSR on the eve of May Day.

So here on the eve of celebrating Cinco de Mayo, it seemed only appropriate to try the fanciful combination of an hibiscus-infused tequila that debuted to market about a year ago. While not a frequent tequila drinker, I was curious about the hibiscus, which as a tea drink is consumed hot or cold all over the world. In Mexico, the hibiscus is known for its mild flavor, tanginess and color.

Rosangel is made of the "finest, sweetest, highest quality" 100% Highland blue agave, and only harvested after a decade or more. The hearts of the agave are baked for up to 72 hours in traditional clay ovens to "guarantee that even the subtlest flavors of the agave remain." After the resulting spirit is fermented and distilled, it rests in new French Limousin white oak barrels for a minimum of 10 months, then blended with a small amount of older tequila reserves for balance and character and then set to rest for another two months in port barrels.

Tags: alcohol, cinco de mayo, Gran Centenario, Gran Centenario Rosangel, spirits, tequila, tequila recipes, tequila tasting

Continue reading “Rosangel Hibiscus-Flavored Tequila, A Cinco de Mayo Treat”

5 Top Tequila Cocktails for Summer

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Despite the common misnomer, margaritas aren't really consumed much in Mexico, except for by tourists and by locals at beach resorts. Although it remains one of my favorite cocktails, on a recent visit to the Cazadores Distillery bar in Arandes, I was fortunate enough to receive a few bar lessons from the master herself, Cazadores Brand Ambassador Tania Osequera, who revealed some delicious alternatives to the standard lime drink. Gear up for summer and practice these five easy recipes in preparation for the hot months ahead. And for all you margarita enthusiasts, find one authentic recipe below.

Mayahuel
When in Arandas, it's a must to drink the local specialty, the Mayahuel, named after the goddess of agave herself. Arandes is known for its fresh-squeezed pink grapefruit juice, naturally sweet beyond anything you'd find in the States. The Mayahuel cocktail is enjoyed by jimadores after the harvest of the piñas, or agave plant cores. Oddly enough, New York's own club for tequila devotees, Mayahuel, fails to include the namesake cocktail on their menu.

To make a similar version:
Pour 4 oz. Pink grapefruit juice (fresh squeezed is ideal)
1.5 oz. Silver Cazadores over ice.
Sweeten to taste with organic agave nectar and stir.

Infused Tequila
For a large dinner party, nothing beats a pitcher of distilled spirits. For an alternative on the tired vodka blends, try this infused tequila recipe. It's just the thing for a hot summer night.
Pour a 750ml bottle of Cazadores silver into a glass pitcher, and fill with strips of cucumber and seedless watermelon. Store in the refrigerator overnight. Before serving, mix in a shaker with ice and a few drops of agave nectar. Serve over ice and garnish with mint.

Tags: cocktail recipes, cocktails, entertainment-pedia, luxist-awards, main-pedia, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, Tequila, tequila recipes

Continue reading “5 Top Tequila Cocktails for Summer”