Today, July 24, is National Tequila Day. And to get in the mood, we had an informal tequila tasting in my kitchen. We tried several brands that have arrived in the last week or so and a few little bottles procured from the media schwag room at Tales of the Cocktail. Before we get into what we tasted, here are a few quick facts about tequila and agave:

- Although there are more than 200 … Read more

I was doing some research on tequila and mezcal, and one bar was consistently mentioned with raves: Mayahuel in New York.

Tequila has often gotten a bad rap, due to its associations with spring break, hangovers, and the whole “eat the worm” thing. But it’s a very versatile spirit, as is its often-ignored cousin mezcal.

Mayahuel bartender Phil Ward loves the agave spirits, as evidenced by this great quote from his interview with BlackBook:… Read more

No 4th of July barbecue is complete without watermelon. I’d like to amend that statement to include watermelon cocktails!

This refreshing summer cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to whatever you’ll be throwing on the grill this Independence Day. Martha Stewart inspired this recipe, which I adapted from her watermelon and basil margaritas.

The watermelon is cool and refreshing, while the mint and basil balance the sweetness and give it a fresh, crisp herbal note. You … Read more

Patrón recently launched it’s new and improved “Patrón Social Club,” a place where tequila aficionados can learn more about the brand, ID their bottle, learn about Patrón-sponsored events, and try out some very good tequila cocktails.

What makes this different from the ordinary spirit brand website is the way they have brought in content from some of the blogosphere’s top voices. They include, Urbandaddy, Thrillist.com, Daily Candy, and going.com, and cover a wide range of … Read more

The first thing that grabs your attention about Corzo tequila is the bottle: square, smooth, and modern—not unlike a really nice cologne bottle.

But when you get past the attractive packaging, there’s a friendly tequila inside waiting to play.

It has a thin mouthfeel and an approachable taste. Though it is 100% agave, it lacks the grassy flavor often found in such tequilas.

This is a clean-tasting tequila for sipping or mixing. I found that … Read more

Looking for a Father’s Day gift that is both thoughtful and quick?

These picks are unique liquors that stand out among other spirits of the same type. What better way to show Dad that you think he’s one of a kind.

I’ve included multiple price ranges, but these were chosen for their taste and not their price tag.

Here are a few liquor picks for the discerning Dad on your gift-shopping list:… Read more

Single-Malt Scotch:
Aberlour

At the recent Nightclub & Bar Conference in Las Vegas, I had the pleasure to attend a seminar lead by Georg Riedel. What a treat, not only did I learn firsthand from a master about fine glassware and how it enhances all types of spirits but I learned how the Reidel family figured it all out. Said Greog to my question, “We’ve been doing this a long time.” And they have the family-run Austrian company … Read more

It being Cinco de Mayo, the folks at Asylum.com, with the help of Joanne Weir author of “Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites along with a few thoughts from Beam Global Tequila Ambassadors Jaime Rodriguez, Jaime Salas and Eddie Perales — the guys behind Sauza’s Hornitos tequila.

“As Weir stresses the spirit deserves a finer appreciation than it normally receives on the sticky floor of a frat house.”

This is a prefect … Read more

It isn’t Cinco de Mayo without margaritas! (OK, so it technically still would be the 5th of May. But not as fun.)

Here are some great recipes for your fiesta.

Whether it’s a classic margarita on the rocks or a frozen concoction with new flavors, it’s margarita time!

Classic Margarita: You can’t go wrong with the classic margarita (remember, no sour mix!).
Cadillac Margarita: A high-end margarita recipe with Cointreau and Grand Marnier, a reader … Read more

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla where Mexico defeated French troops that outnumbered them almost two-to-one after only two hours of fighting! The holiday has been celebrated in California since 1863, as a symbol of solidarity in response to the French occupation of Mexico from 1863-1867.

Cinco de Mayo is the largest tequila consumption day in the U.S. In fact, Americans can’t get enough of Mexico’s native spirit. Since 2002, U.S. imports … Read more