#NationalMargaritaDay

by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Update Your Margs with Mezcal and Sotol

Update Your Margaritas with Mezcal, Sotol, and More!

by David Klemt

Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal bottle on a drinks tray

We all know how to make a classic Margarita, so for this National Margarita Day we want to put some new recipes and ingredients on your radar.

The cocktail recipes below swap out the tequila for mezcal and sotol.

For a quick refresher, all tequila is mezcal in a technical sense. Mezcal is made with agave plants. Tequila producers use a specific agave plant, Blue Weber. Further, tequila must be produced in one of five Mexican states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas.

Then we have sotol. You may have seen sotol thrown in with agave spirits on cocktail or spirits roundups. To clarify, however, sotol is a typo of shrub known as the desert spoon, and it’s not an agave plant.

So, all tequila is mezcal, mezcal is agave, and sotol is…sotol.

Swap Out the Tequila

Being National Margarita Day, you certainly need to have a classic Margarita on your menu. It’s all the better if your bar team makes them so well and so consistently that really, your top-selling Marg is one of your signature cocktails.

That said, it’s also a good idea to play with classics to give your guests new drinks to discover. The two recipes below are two great examples of riffs on the classic Margarita that should get your and your bar team’s creative wheels turning.

Allow me to introduce you to Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal and Nocheluna Sotol, if you’re not already acquainted.

Contraluz lays claim to the title of “world’s first cristalino mezcal.” Made from 100 percent espad铆n agave, this is a crystal-clear, small-batch reposado mezcal. On the nose, expect aromas of agave, along with citrus and floral notes. You may also detect smoke, cedar, and honey. In terms of flavor, Contraluz delivers notes of vanilla, clove, cacao, and cooked agave, with a sweet, long finish.

The second cocktail below is made with Nocheluna Sotol, which is crafted using 100-percent wild sotol from Chihuahuan desert. This particular sotol is the result of a collaboration between a fourth-generation master vintner, and a master distiller.

A unique spirit, Nocheluna delivers a delicate balance of sweet, herbal, dried fruit, and mineral notes. These notes come through via both the aroma and taste, although you may detect oak and smoke as well. Interestingly, Nocheluna says the finish may include a taste of pecan wood, along with wet earth.

 

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But Wait, There’s More!

Along with Contraluz and Nocheluna, you’ll see three bottles that may be new to you below. The Light and Soul cocktail calls for Alma Finca Orange Liqueur, Nixta Licor de Elote, and HAGAVE Spiced Nectar.

The first is an orange liqueur produced by the same company that makes Montelobos Mezcal. The second liqueur, Nixta Elote, is essentially liquid elote seasoning, and it comes in a fantastic corn-shaped bottle. Finally, HAGAVE is exactly what it says on the label: a premium, spiced agave mixer.

I don’t know about you, but I definitely plan to get my hands on each of these bottles. Just imagine what you can do to engage with your guests by introducing them to a crystal-clear, artisanal mezcal, an expertly crafted sotol, and liquid elote in a corn bottle.

Cheers!

Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal, Light and Soul cocktail

Light and Soul

  • 2.0 oz. Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal
  • 0.5 oz. Alma Finca Orange Liqueur (or a triple sec or different orange liqueur if unavailable)
  • 0.5 oz. Nixta Licor de Elote
  • 1 oz. Lime cordial
  • 0.5 oz. HAGAVE Spiced Nectar

Place a large ice cube or sphere in a rocks glass. Add all liquid ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well, and strain into the prepared rocks glass. Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel.

Nocheluna Sotol cocktail, the Sotolita

Sotolita

  • 1.5 oz. Nocheluna Sotol
  • 1.0 oz. Triple sec
  • 1.0 oz. Fresh lime juice
  • 1.5 oz. Apple juice
  • Apple slices to garnish
  • Chiltepin salt for rim (sea salt blend with chiltepin peppers)

Prepare a rocks glass by adding quality ice and rimming it with chiltepin salt. Add ice to a shaker, then add all liquid ingredients. Shake well, then strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with an apple-slice fan.

Images provided by LaFORCE

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by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

5 Premium Recipes for Margarita Day

5 Premium Recipes for National Margarita Day

by David Klemt

Co虂digo 1530 Tequila Rosa Blasberry Margarita

National Margarita Day is just around the corner and our friends at C贸digo 1530 Tequila sent us five recipes for your cocktail menu.

For years, the Margarita has reigned supreme, steadily claiming the number-one spot on most-popular cocktail lists around the world. While this cocktail is now seeing its grip on the crown loosened by the Negroni and Old Fashioned, it’s hard to ignore the lure of a well-made Marg.

That’s even more true when its made with incredible tequila.

Each delicious, refreshing recipe below is made with super-premium C贸digo 1530 Blanco or Rosa. However, you and your bar team should certainly experiment with other expressions in the range.

Considering the quality of C贸digo 1530, operators can boost revenue by charging a premium for these magnificent Margs.

To learn more about C贸digo 1530 Tequila and the creator of these recipes, company mixologist Collin De Laval, check out Bar Hacks episode 57.

Co虂digo 1530 Tequila Blanco Margarita

Blanco Margarita

  • 2 oz. C贸digo 1530 Blanco Tequila
  • 1 oz. Triple sec
  • 1.5 oz. Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
  • 0.5 oz. Agave nectar
  • Lime wedge or wheel for garnish

Prepare a rocks glass by rimming it with salt. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, pour into the prepared rocks glass with ice, and garnish with a lime.

Co虂digo 1530 Tequila Cucumber Mint Margarita

Cucumber Mint Margarita

  • 1.5 oz. C贸digo 1530 Blanco Tequila
  • 1 oz. Cucumber juice (freshly pressed, preferably)
  • 1 oz. Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
  • 0.25 oz. Agave nectar
  • Mint leaves, some to garnish
  • Salt and Taj铆n (50/50 mixture for rim)
  • Cucumber ribbons to garnish
  • Lemon wheel to garnish

To build, prepare a glass by rimming with lemon and rolling in salt and Taj铆n mixture and adding crushed ice. Add C贸digo 1530 Blanco, cucumber and lemon juices, agave nectar, and mint leaves to a shaker with ice. Shake, strain into prepared glass, and garnish with cucumber ribbons, lemon wheel, and mint leaves.

Co虂digo 1530 Tequila Rosa Blasberry Margarita

Rosa Blasberry Margarita

  • 2 oz. C贸digo 1530 Rosa Tequila
  • 1.5 oz. Lime juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
  • 0.5 oz. Agave nectar
  • Handful of raspberries, some to garnish
  • Handful of blueberries, some to garnish
  • Soda water to top

Add berries and lime juice to shaker, and muddle. Next, fill shaker with ice and add C贸digo 1530 Rosa and agave nectar. Shake, strain, and garnish with berries.

Co虂digo 1530 Tequila Rosa Skinny Margarita with lavender garnish

Rosa Skinny Margarita with Lavender

  • 2 oz. C贸digo 1530 Rosa Tequila
  • 1 oz. Lime juice (freshly pressed, preferably)
  • 1 oz. Agave nectar
  • Lime wedge or wheel to garnish
  • Lavender to garnish (optional)

For this simple but refreshing Margarita, add the first three ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake, strain, and garnish with lime wedge or wheel and lavender.

Co虂digo 1530 Tequila Watermelon Mint Margarita

Watermelon Mint Margarita

  • 2 oz. C贸digo 1530 Rosa Tequila
  • 3 oz. Pressed watermelon juice (freshly pressed, preferably)
  • 0.75 oz. Lime juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
  • 0.25 oz. Agave nectar
  • Watermelon slices to garnish

Fill a shaker with ice and add C贸digo 1530 Rosa, juices, and nectar. Shake for 30 seconds, pour into glass, and garnish with watermelon slices.

Images: C贸digo 1530 Tequila

by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Does the Margarita Still Reign Supreme?

Does the Margarita Still Reign Supreme?

by David Klemt

Whatever’s happening here, I’m in…

The Margarita has maintained the title of Most Popular Cocktail in the United States year after year.

But is the classic cocktail still wearing the crown and clutching the scepter?

Most Popular 2020 Cocktails

Midway through last year, Google revealed the top cocktail searches in each state:

  • Alabama: Hurricane
  • Alaska: Whiskey Sour
  • Arizona: Paloma
  • Arkansas: Frozen Daiquiri
  • California: Paloma
  • Colorado: Hurricane
  • Connecticut: Margarita
  • Delaware: Screwdriver
  • Washington, DC: Old Fashioned
  • Florida: Cuba Libre
  • Georgia: Sazerac
  • Hawaii: Lemon Drop Martini
  • Idaho: Kamikaze
  • Illinois: Manhattan
  • Indiana: French 75
  • Iowa: Kamikaze
  • Kansas: Screwdriver
  • Kentucky: Lily
  • Louisiana: Bushwacker
  • Maine: Margarita
  • Maryland: Kamikaze
  • Massachusetts: Old Fashioned
  • Michigan: Cosmo
  • Minnesota: Oliveto
  • Mississippi: Painkiller
  • Missouri: Gin and Tonic
  • Montana: Blue Hawaiian
  • Nebraska: Old Fashioned
  • Nevada: Grasshopper
  • New Hampshire: Old Fashioned
  • New Jersey: Manhattan
  • New Mexico: Old Fashioned
  • New York: Manhattan
  • North Carolina: Bushwacker
  • North Dakota: Kamikaze
  • Ohio: Boulevardier
  • Oklahoma: Black Russian
  • Oregon: Old Fashioned
  • Pennsylvania:聽Whiskey Sour
  • Rhode Island: Cosmo
  • South Carolina: Tequila Sunrise
  • South Dakota: Screwdriver
  • Tennessee: Buschwacker
  • Texas: Paloma
  • Utah: Cape Cod
  • Vermont: Cosmopolitan
  • Virginia: Old Fashioned
  • Washington: Old Fashioned
  • West Virginia: Kamikaze
  • Wisconsin: Grasshopper
  • Wyoming: White Russian

Margarita Slipping?

As you can see, the Margarita was only the top search in two states, Connecticut and Maine. Perhaps their access to the Atlantic Ocean coastline motivated residents of those states to enjoy the refreshing classic that invokes summer and escapism.

Regardless, the Margarita didn’t even make it into the top three. Third place went to the Cosmo, Manhattan and Screwdriver in a three-way tie, with each the most popular in three states.

Second place went to Kamikaze, the top cocktail search in Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, North Dakota and West Virginia.

Before I get to the first-place cocktail鈥攁ccording to a snapshot of time by Google鈥擨 have to address the clear winner of the Most Unique Search title. Minnesota’s top search was for the Oliveto cocktail, shaken and strained into a rocks glass:

  • 2 oz. Dry gin
  • 1 oz. fresh Lemon juice
  • 1/4 oz. Simple syrup
  • 1/4 oz. Licor 43
  • 1/2 oz. full-bodied Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 fresh Egg white
  • Ice cubes

New Number One?

The Old Fashioned, clinching seven states, was the number-one cocktail…for about 30 days in 2020.

Much has also been made about a supposed surge in interest for the Gin & Tonic.

However, scouring the Internet for data and articles, the Margarita is still sitting comfortably on the throne. According to multiple sources, the Margarita is a to-go cocktail mainstay, it’s succeeding in the RTD space (meaning it’s performing well on- and 0ff-premise), and home bartenders are driving up sales of tequila and cordials.

Trends are fun but classics are classics for a reason. So, make sure your Margs, G&Ts, Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and other staples are dialed in this year.

Image: Men煤 Acapulco on Unsplash

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