 While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday. Today we set our sights south of the border, and concentrate on a great spirit that’s often maligned. Happy National Tequila Day! Tequila (the spirit, not Pee-Wee Herman’s favorite jam) is made in and around the state of Jalisco in Mexico, from the blue agave plant. Blue agaves are related to asparagus, and these succulent plants are pollinated by bats and grow at high altitudes. When the plant is twelve years old, the piña - the pine-cone-shaped heart of the agave plant after the sharp leaves are stripped away - is cooked and then mashed, and the resulting pulp is fermented and distilled. Lots of people seem to have had bad experiences with tequila and sworn it off as a result. It’s worth giving the spirit another chance, though. There are so many good tequilas on the market nowadays that you’re not limited to the ones that gave you that horrendous hangover in college. Look for a tequila with a label that mentions it is “100% agave”, “100% blue agave”, or “100% agave azul” - ones that don’t have this marking are called mixto tequilas, and can be made with up to 49% other sugars besides the ones that naturally occur in agaves. They’re often harsher and more acrid as a result. And, there are far more ways to drink tequila than the well-known lick-slam-suck ritual of the shot, with its salt and lime. In Mexico, a shot of tequila is often followed by a shot of sangrita, a fruity sweet-and-spicy chaser with tomato and orange juice. The margarita is, of course, the classic tequila cocktail, and if you make it with a good tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and high-quality triple sec, it’s a fine drink indeed (Planning a party? Try bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s recipe for a gallon of margaritas.) Cocktail blogger Chuck Taggart also likes his tequila with Italian aperitivo bitters, orange liqueur and cucumber for an interesting-sounding vegetal bittersweet drink, the Tlaquepaque. On those brutal hot and humid days, take the lime and salt parts of the tequila shot and throw them into the shaker with the tequila itself, then add grapefruit soda to the mix and you have the Paloma, an unbelievably refreshing drink: Paloma
Combine all ingredients over ice in a highball glass and stir. The only way to make the Paloma even better is to use Tequila por Mi Amante, or “tequila for my lover.” Drinks writer Charles H. Baker, Jr. wrote about this strawberry-infused tequila in 1939: “This berry process extracts some of the raw taste, adds a rosy dawn touch. . .We opine that handled in the same way as sloe gin, discoveries would be made.” The infusion is amazingly good either on its own or in a Paloma: Tequila por Mi Amante
Wash, hull, and halve the strawberries. Place them in a large jar and add the tequila, covering the berries. Let it sit in the refrigerator for three weeks, and gently agitate the jar each day or so. After three weeks, strain out the berries and squeeze the remaining liquid out of them through cheesecloth. Discard the berries and strain the resulting liquid again to remove sediment. Let the infused tequila age for three more weeks or so in the fridge. Use the infused tequila in Palomas, or just have it on the rocks with maybe a splash of lime. |
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I was recommended this website by way of my cousin. I'm now not positive whether this post is written via him as no one else recognize such designated approximately my difficulty. You're amazing! Thank you!
One tequila,
Two tequila,
Three tequila,
Floor
That's good advertise driving and drinking,Oh just remember "NO SMOKING ALLOWED" it kills and injures others....OH MY
Rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
(Mango + Tequila + Ice) x 2 + Salt = Heaven in sweet-salty form!
National Pie Day, National Tequila Day, National Hot Dog Day, National Pizza Day......When is National We Are the Most Obese Country Day?
Don't forget national donut day!!!
mojojojo July 28, 2011 I've read Kate's blog periodically and I find her huomorus. So the following is not meant to be nasty or cruel at all. Just objective Kate, you better get a good hobby that you really enjoy (if you don't already have one). And maybe a long-life breed of cat or a dog, too. Cuz chances are, you're going to remain single.Believe me, I know. As a midlifer I've got quite a few friends (guys admittedly) that are very much like you This one's too old (& creepy) This one's too young (& virgin) This one's too short (& lumpy) This one's too tall (& skinny) This one's too naked (& spontaneous) This one's too PERFECT (& perfect) And they're all STILL single. And will likely stay that way. Which is OK, if that's what you really want. Not my business. But I'm just sayin'.If I weren't off the market, I'd be happy to date you, if only to see what horror story you'd write about me. (I figure somewhere in the world there's always a woman telling horror stories about me. Most often my wife )Good luck!
That would be July 4th,
Who cares?
I make mine with Tequila aged Cazadores or 3 presidentes, One whole lime and Squirt (add salt) I called it the poor man's margarita ( I didn't know it was called a paloma. taste better than regular margarita's
Time for a Tequila cocktail baby! – http://www.cocktail-maken.be/en/tequila
I love Skinnygirl Margaritas!
I do too but they are so light, I end up drinking half (or more on a good night!) of the bottle! Sort of like eating low cal ice cream and then eating the whole quart! LOL
Teabaggers and birthers will drink tequila only when they can't get any Everclear.
What? You sound like you've already been in the Everclear.
Muy delicioso!!!
Tequila – the drink of lowlife losers
You gotta be kidding. Here in Canada that chit's mucho expensive.
The only time tequila made me sick is when I drank it in between two glasses of wine, not in a short period of time mind you, but still, it was enough to trigger a bleak episode. It is the only time I even got "the spins" at least I think it was "the spins." Jose and I have since reconciled and occasionally I enjoy a shot on the back porch at night.
Thats what she said.
You haven't had good tequila until you've tried Casa Noble anjeo. It's, by far, the smoothest tequila that I've ever tried. There is none of that "bite" at the end that makes you shiver a little, like there is with every other brand of tequila that I've ever drank.
Wow...Cool...Awesome Holiday that National Tequila Day... while millions rot in prison for smoking grass! Such BS hypocrisy by the liqour industry!!
^ This.
Yup.
Well, they should've known it was illegal.
This is all too highbrow. Crack open a can of Squirt (or diet Squirt, for a lighter cocktail), take a slug, then replace that slug (about a shot's worth, straight from the bottle) with middle-of-the-road Sauza or equivalent, cover the can with your thumb and gently mix. Voila, poor man's margarita. For variety, add one or more: some rock salt, lime juice, Tabasco, etc.
as an alcoholic that drinks tequila ever night, this is my new favorite day of the year, sorry Christmas
Chair Not, love your honestly – - and your alcoholic style came through loud and clear . . "as an alcoholic that drinks tequila EVER night, this is my new favorite day of the year. . ." said like a true alchy! Pass the salt.
My favorite is Cazadores Reposado. It's far too expensive for a daily drinker here in the states, but in Mexico I can buy the 2.5 liter bottle for around $40. No need to mix it with anything, as a matter of fact don't do anything but drink it over ice.
Don Julio 1942 and Milagro limited with the crystal cactus inside. No hangover.....pure.
Top shelf today. Cheers....
next week: MD-20/20 day. just because you barfed purple in High School, give it another try!!
Not wanting to at least try a good tequilla is like saying you refuse to try a fine wine because you got sick on banana red MD 20/20 once.
TEQUILA!!!
Nice bottle of Patron and we're all set.
I strongly believe that añejo tequila was mixed with Lilith's blood.
If you get a hangover from good tequila? This means your a wussy or might mean you need to stop drinking alcohal!
LOL..
I strongly believe that añejo tequila was mixed in with Lilith's blood.
I feel sick immediately after drinking ANY tequila, even the good stuff. My brothers family refers to the stuff as te-kill-ya. Maybe there is an allergy to it? I don't know. I love a good drink now and again but this is ultimately banned from my menu.
after passing out on my feet couple of times, no more tequila for me – mind you that i have no problem with Jack or vodka.
as a guess it's brain receptors not being compatible with tequila
Tequila is great. It's just the morons that what to take 50 shots that give it a bad reputation.
It's kinda funny to see the reaction of a significant number of people to the question "Do you like tequila?"
Seems that MANY have had a bad experience with this wonderful beverage... You either get over it- or you don't.
PS- When I used to travel back to the E. Coast. in the early 70's, there were actually bars in Boston & NY that didn't carry tequila. That all [quickly] changed after "Tequila Sunrise" by the Eagles hit.
First,sicko da mayo,now cactus for breakfast.Muchas Grass
lulz
Muchas Grass would be 4/20
In the Fride, Freezer, Pantry ?
I like the freezer, but that works best when you are not making multiple drinks for multiple people, since you won't be leaving the bottle out. The colder the drink, the less alcohol evaporates, and the less any alcoholic drink tastes like alcohol. If you are putting it on the rocks, it matters less, since the ice makes it cold. If you are doing shots, freeze it. If not, it matters alot less. To me the ice is more important. It seems like the crusher on most people's refrigerators stops working. Which is too bad since crushed ice is the best for drinks.
Tequila once left me crying for no apparent reason in the middle of a large and very respected nightclub. That's when I decided to have a divorce from Patron. Once in a rae while I can be pursuaded to do a single shot or have a sip or two of a high end anejo for the flavor, but I don't drink more than that. Flavor-wise, I do miss drinking the occasional Paloma and I have fond memories of being 14 in a nightclub in Acapulco (don't ask) and having something called a "Muppet" poured down my throat by a rather hunky bartender. Turns out it was tequila and orange soda. Very yummy and good for a novice drinker.
Hmmm yep Patron is not 100% agave. Its mixed with other stuff hence the aftermath. Same goes to other tequilas that are not 100%. Went to a Tequila farm in Jualisco last month and man did I learn alot of tequila. All those samples and I didn't get a headache that I usually do with Patron!
Patron is 100% agave. Probably the least flavorful "top-shelf" tequila on the market, but it is 100%. If you like Patron, try Leguas (the original distillery where Patron was created). Same stuff, better quality and cheaper.
For my money, I like the Chamucos Reposado. Lots of pepper and almost no residual sweetness. You can still taste the smoke from when they fired the agave.
For all of you who think the standard Cuervo is tequila, think again. Mixtos are for suckers. El Jimador is cheaper than Cuervo and is 100% agave.
A lot of you need to read this article again. It's not about having a shot of cheap tequila with a bunch of 19 year olds. Buy good tequila, make ONE good drink and enjoy it. Sit back and truly enjoy a drink. Not doing 50 shots and wondering why you're hungover.
Tequila makes her clothes fall off!
While the taste and hangover can be turnoffs, lets face it: tequila = fun night.
Mas tequila! It's absolutely my favorite shot liquor. And a noce Tequila Sunrise? Oh yes. Work can end quick enough now.
You get what you pay for with Tequila. Simple Margaritas are the best. Best Tequila you can afford, fresh limes, triple sec, ice, sugar – and a little salt. Very easy. Very good. No hangover if you use quality Tequila or drink in reasonable amounts. Of course it goes great with any food that pairs with lime, and that is most Tex-Mex.
Just reading this article about Tequila makes me want to puke. I distinctly remember (sort of) the last time I had this stuff almost 10 years ago. I can't stand the smell, the taste, or the aftermath. Tequila is horrible!
Then you must have been drinking the cheap stuff. It's like bourbon or vodka, the higher end the better. Tequila rocks.
That's what I was thinking. Patron Silver with salt and lime in moderation is pretty good. If you don't mind forking over $50-60 a bottle.
Yep. Went to Mexico and paid $40 for the real thing! 100% agave hecho en Mexico baby!!
Use the right mixer and it doesn't matter. Sunny-D, even watermelon-kiwi Pool-aid. Just don't have too much. If you need more of a buzz, switch to beer after a couple three tequila drinks. Remember " liquor, then beer; never fear. Beer then liquor; never sicker" – one of the most important things I learned in college.
I mean Kool-aid.
Nobody cares, Andrew.
Whatever to the flamers, I hear ya Andrew. This stuff makes me sick even the best tequilla money can buy. One sip and I want to hurl. Yet somehow I don't get the same reaction from a nice scotch, bourbon, or rum.....
Andrew, we always knew you would be a wimp when you grew up. We were right.
My favorite. I will celebrate as well. Thank you Mexico.
I find it said a lot of people never drink tequila becuase they had that 1 "bad tequila experience", where they no doubt drank way to much crap tequila (ie non-agave piss. basically dyed grain nuetral spirits). The real stuff is really quite good and doesn't make you any more hungover than any other decent booze.
Tequila will make you throw rocks at your own glass house.
WTF...No mention of the worm??
There isn't a worm in tequila. There *might* be in its close cousin, mezcal - but not any mezcal you'd actually care to drink.
I will NEVER, EVER touch another bottle of Tequila in my lifetime. EVER! The WORST hangovers in medical history are caused by this poison. YUCK!!!
Sorry, no tequila for me! I've tried several kinds, and the problem isn't with a hangover but with the taste itself. It's just personal preference, but I can't stand the stuff; to me it tastes like kerosene (not that I've ever drunk kerosene, but it's how I imagine it would taste). I'll stick with my rum or vodka, and my husband can have the margaritas.
I can understand that. It tastes like wood to me, but I kinda like it.
That's what she said?
Viva Tequlia
The Palins drink a lot of tequila because it reminds them of urine.
Go away twit.
Urine idiot.
Nice, an american national day for a Mexican drink
Yeah, lets get rid of St. Patty's Day, Columbus Day, and MLK Day, too
Moron.
This.
Wasn't MLK an American?
The point is his comment is ignorant.
I was thinking this would be a link to AA...
that's what you get for thinking.
All a good rita needs is lime juice, sugar water, 100% agave tequila and either Cointreau or triple sec.
Mmmmmm! Margaritas!
strange. a national day to celebrate a drug that kills billions.
People are responsible for their own actions. You can't blame the alcohol.
Billions?? Billions of what? Bugs?? Maybe brain cells....yours!
And it's made by illegal aliens too. Right! LOL
that wasn't funny
A comment by an ignorant......Tequila is made in Mexico where YOU would be the illegal one.
Yup, cant blame alcohol for the thousands that are killed by drunk drivers. Hope you use the same argument for the defense of marijuana legalization.
I guess matches cause forest fires
People wouldn't drown with all this goshdarn water around...
lulz... should be "without".
Or the fast the food joints that make people fat right?
How many billions?
and what are their names?
In response to "Flat": There is nothig wrong with alcohol. The problem lies with fools who don't know when to stop drinking and then get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Duh. And if you don't want to drink, that's your right, of course. I wish people would learn how to drink responsibly, or take the "designated driver" thing seriously. There has been some progress in getting people to be more careful, but obviously not enough because people are still dying. But the fault lies with the people drinking, not with the alcohol itself.
Try this recipe for beer margaritas:
1 12oz can frozen limeade
12oz tequila
12oz water
12oz Corona or Bud Light
In a pitcher, empty the limeade, then add 1 can each of water, then tequila, then pour in 1 beer. Stir, enjoy. Make another batch.
You're right, these ARE delicious – except instead of water, I use 12 oz of Sprite or 7Up. Adds a little effervescence!
I do basically this, but double the water, no beer, more tequila, and I throw in 8-10 sliced strawberries and some smashed basil leaves. Gotta let it sit overnight, but it's SO worth it. Also, you can use dirt cheap tequila.
Will celebrate this tonight!
Back in the 70's at a bar in Boston they used to drain the tuna cans (for making sandwiches) into a bottle. They would mix a shot of tuna juice and a shot of Cuervo over ice. They called it a Cow Pussy. It was disgusting.