Drinks featuring tequila as the main attraction

In 2006, UNESCO declared the agave landscape a World Heritage Site.

Every last Sunday of July, International Tequila Day is celebrated.

Tequila is one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in the world.

In 2006, UNESCO declared the agave landscape a World Heritage Site. Since then, every last Sunday in July we celebrate International Tequila Day. There are situations that led this liquor to become one of the most consumed alcoholic beverages in the world. One was prohibition in US at the beginning of the 20th century, another was the Covid pandemic. No matter what, tequila is valued for its unique charm.

Tequila has flavors typical of a versatile and complex raw material, a cultural background that nurtures the experience of those who drink it and sensual qualities that enhance any celebration. That last one is an unproven theory, but I encourage you to empirically investigate its effects on the human body. It seems that the agave spirit inspires dance, song and delight.

Drinking tequila allows you to taste a bit of the culture and history of Mexico

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First a classic: Batanga. It’s a Mexa version of Cuba Libre created by Javier Delgado Corona, a lifelong bartender and owner of the oldest bar in Tequila, Jalisco: La Capilla, according to Reforma.

The tradition is to mix tequila, a pinch of salt, lemon juice and cola with a knife with a wooden handle. Don Javier said this added flavor. As a curious fact, the small Jalisco watering hole was included in the list of the 50 Best Bars in the World for three consecutive years, reaching the sixteenth place. Filed as: Drinks where tequila is the main guest

Deconstructed classics

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When it comes to modern reinterpretations, Mexicans are unparalleled. Licorería Limantour’s Margarita al Pastor is one of those that exceeds expectations and becomes a new classic. It unites two icons of national gastronomy: the Taco al Pastor and the Margarita, in a full and balanced drink.

How? Blanco tequila, orange liqueur and its famous taco mix (pineapple, cilantro, serrano pepper, agave syrup, basil and lemon). It’s an easy-drinking, refreshing cocktail that authentically captures the flavors of the Trompo al Pastor. It’s fun and ligh.t (Filed As: Drinks where tequila is the main guest)

Tequila brought to the forefront

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New techniques and equipment allow mixology to take flavors, presentation and sensations to another level. For example the Mexi-thai is one of the flagship cocktails at Handshake, the avant-garde speakeasy recently named Best Bar in Mexico.

Inspired by a pad thai from fusion cuisine, its process is amazing and very elaborate. White tequila is vacuum-cooked with coconut oil for four hours, redistilled vodka with makrut lime leaves and clarified tomato juice are turned into a mixture of sugar and acids, basil oil as decoration. (Filed as: Drinks where tequila is the main guest)

You will get a surprise

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“It is a new way of presenting the flavors of tequila, we seek to surprise with a different mix, with a different flavor profile than the recurring ones,” explains Eric van Beek, bar manager of Handshake. Surprise! Nobody predicts a crystal clear drink after reading «tomato» in its description. The result is unexpected.

Smoke Girl. A sneak peek of the new menu, soon to be released at Handshake. It’s a highball with smoked tequila, tomato cordial and salt. It looks simple but the flavors are authentic madness. It extracts real benefit from the flavors of cooked agave and smoke. Classic or progressive, they are both a treat for the senses. (Filed as: Drinks where tequila is the main guest)