National Tequila Day

 There Stands the Glass

Cafe 1919 Margarita: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Tequila Day is an annual celebration that takes place on July 24, dedicated to paying homage to the beloved Mexican spirit known as tequila.

Tequila Mockingbird: photo by Cliff Hutson

I have drank tequila for over fifty years. He estado borracho en Nuevo México, así como en East Hollywood y en muchos lugares intermedios. And, if push comes to shove, I would probably say that the Margarita is my favorite cocktail. 

Margarita: photo by Cliff Hutson

Of course, it can be enjoyed straight as well. So, some might be asking, "just what is this versatile libration?"

Tequila

Silver Tequila: photo by Cliff Hutson

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Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, and it only comes from Mexico. To be called Tequila, by law, it must come from one of five Mexican states: Jalisco (where you find the town of Tequila), Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán or Tamaulipas. It comes in different styles, categorized according to how long the spirit was aged. 

Hornitos Reposado: photo by Cliff Hutson

I tend to stick to two styles. Blanco (white) or plata (silver) which are unaged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels. And, Reposado aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year in oak barrels of any size.

Tequila Sauza: photo by Cliff Hutson

However, I will sometimes step up to Añejo which is aged a minimum of one year, but less than three years in small oak barrels.

Brand Loyalty

Espolòn Tequila: photo by Cliff Hutson

When it comes to brand loyalty I really have none.  While he is loved by many, Jose Cuervo was never a friend of mine. The past few years I have tended to buy Hornitos, not so much that I think that it is really great but, that it tastes good, has a reasonable price point, and is readily available at Trader Joe's.   A couple of months ago I started picking up Espolón. I like it, but am not wild about it.  But, tonight I have been sipping  El Exotico for the first time and enjoyed it. This is a really good Reposado. Is this the best Reposado I’ve ever had? No, but it’s damn good and the price can't be beat.

Tequila Exotico Reposado: photo by Cliff Hutson

(Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.)

Save the Dates

National Margarita Day

Margarita: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Margarita Day returns on February 22, 2020, are you prepared? The limes may cost you more this year. And, remember to drink responsibly!

Washington's Birthday

Not Really a Pie: photo by Cliff Hutson

Tomorrow is also said to be George Washington's birthday.

Traditionally, Washington is said to have been born on February 22. But, funny story, he was actually born on On February 11, 1731. There was a switch from the Julian calendar, to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. This adjustment eliminated the days between September 3 and September 13.  The missing eleven days resulted in many people adjusting their birthdates to the new system.

Thus February 22 became a Federal holiday, schools and offices closed. Eating cherry pie was a common ritual in remembrance of the oft told tale of his chopping down a cherry tree as a young lad. However,  we do not observe that date any longer, some of you may never have.

Presidents' Day

Today,  Monday, February 21, is Presidents' Day in the United States. Celebrated every year on the third Monday of February, it is designated (depending on which state you live in) to honor the first president (Washington), the first and third (Jefferson) presidents, or, the first and 16th (Lincoln).

Once upon a time, in the state I grew up in, Abraham Lincoln had his own holiday, February 12. Thus many  people got two days off in the shortest month of the year. But, there has never been a federal Lincoln-birthday holiday. I am certain that at least eleven states would have ignored it anyway, just as most have no use for Jefferson Davis Day.

I am probably in the minority in my feeling that we have lost a little something by having moved our traditional observances from the actual dates to Mondays in order to have more three day weekends,  However, it is good that we still remember some of our past. 

Ranch Water

 Ranch Water, a Cocktail

Ranch Water: photo by Cliff Hutson

Ranch Water is kind of a margarita that's hard to mess up, because it can be very uncomplicated, the basic three-ingredient drink calls only for tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico. (Yes, it has to be Topo Chico).

Some people don't even bother with a glass. They start by pouring out (or drinking) two ounces of the Topo Chico and  then add the tequila and lime juice to the bottle.

Others make an actual cocktail. This drink doesn’t really require a recipe (but, see below) as the amounts of the basic three ingredients can be be varied widely to taste. Others such as orange liqueur or simple syrup, can be added to the mix. 

However, be aware that that there is no substitute for the Topo Chico. In fact, one interesting way to present the drink is to place the bottle of mineral water (which should have quite a bit left in it) along side the cocktail so that the drinker can add more as the level of the glass lowers. This is really nice to sip on in the heat of Summer.

Recipe 

INGREDIENTS

Ice

1 1/2 ounces silver tequila

1 ounce fresh lime juice

1/2 ounce Cointreau or other orange liqueur (optional)

1/2 ounce agave syrup (optional)

2 to 3 ounces chilled Topo Chico mineral water

DIRECTIONS

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, Cointreau and agave syrup, if using, and stir to chill and combine. Top with the mineral water, gently stir again.

¡Bebe responsablemente!

I Drink Tequila

 There Stands the Glass

Tequila Mockingbird: photo by Cliff Hutson

I have drank tequila for over fifty years. He estado borracho en Nuevo México, así como en East Hollywood y en muchos lugares intermedios. And, if push comes to shove, I would probably say that the Margarita is my favorite cocktail. 

Margarita: photo by Cliff Hutson

Of course, it can be enjoyed straight as well. So, some might be asking, "just what is this versatile libration?"

Tequila

Silver Tequila: photo by Cliff Hutson

Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, and it only comes from Mexico. To be called Tequila, by law, it must come from one of five Mexican states: Jalisco (where you find the town of Tequila), Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán or Tamaulipas. It comes in different styles, categorized according to how long the spirit was aged. 

Hornitos Reposado: photo by Cliff Hutson

I tend to stick to two styles. Blanco (white) or plata (silver) which are unaged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels. And, Reposado aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year in oak barrels of any size.

Tequila Sauza: photo by Cliff Hutson

However, I will sometimes step up to Añejo which is aged a minimum of one year, but less than three years in small oak barrels.

Brand Loyalty

Espolòn Tequila: photo by Cliff Hutson

When it comes to brand loyalty I really have none.  While he is loved by many, Jose Cuervo was never a friend of mine. The past few years I have tended to buy Hornitos, not so much that I think that it is really great but, that it tastes good, has a reasonable price point, and is readily available at Trader Joe's.   A couple of months ago I started picking up Espolón. I like it, but am not wild about it.  But, tonight I have been sipping  El Exotico for the first time and enjoyed it. This is a really good Reposado. Is this the best Reposado I’ve ever had? No, but it’s damn good and the price can't be beat.

Tequila Exotico Reposado: photo by Cliff Hutson

The Future

So, the astute reader might gather from my preceding comments that when it comes to drinking that cost is a consideration to me. That is true. My palate is not so sophisticated that that I feel that I should spend a lot of money on alcohol or wine. But, if I ever come across it I will buy a bottle of Rey Sol Anejo just to see if I can experience the difference.