Making the Perfect Margarita

At TEQUILA.net we take Agave cocktails seriously, mixing drinks that actually enhance your favorite Tequilas. Unfortunately the majority of restaurants and bars serving margaritas drown out the natural flavors of the Agave with Triple Sec, Cointreau, and sugar filled mixes. By following this simple margarita recipe, you'll find that the Tequila will control and enhance the flavor of your cocktail, by combining your preferred 100% Tequila with natural and fresh ingredients.

PURO MARGARITA

With only 3 main ingredients, this all natural margarita is so simple to create, and once you've perfected this cocktail it will be hard to return to any pre-mixed product.

Preparation
Ingredients: Tequila 100% Agave, Agave Nectar, Limes, Ice, Salt (optional)
Recommended Tools: Lime squeezer, cocktail shaker

1.5oz Tequila
2 tsp. Agave Nectar
2oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Mix contents, swirl or stir to dissolve Agave nectar, add enough ice to fill your preferred margarita glass, shake and serve. Garnish with lime wheel or wedge, salt glass rim (optional).

Selecting the Tequila:
This is determined by the amount you want to spend, but there are many 100% Agave products on the market starting around $15.00 for a 750ml bottle of blanco Tequila. We use blanco and reposado Tequilas in our margaritas as a standard, and depending on the mixed ingredients, an Añejo makes a nice addition at an increased cost. Sample different brands and types to change the flavor of your margaritas.

Selecting the Agave Nectar:
Agave nectar is quite easy to find now, most local grocery and health food stores carry at least one brand. Several Tequila brands have added Agave nectar to their portfolio as well. Some brands are certified organic, and some brands offer a light, medium, dark, and extra dark profile, which provide different levels of richness and flavor. Flavored nectars are available and can put a whole new twist on your cocktails. Agave Nectar is at least 30% sweeter than sugar, has less calories, and is lower on the Glycemic Index. It is the perfect compliment in Tequila cocktails.

Selecting the Limes:
Ripe, thin skinned limes work best when squeezing into a margarita, and depending on how tart and sweet your limes are, you may need to adjust the measurement of Agave Nectar to find that perfect balance. Keep several barspoons or straws close by to sample your mix before serving.

By using the above recipe as a base you can easily create flavored margaritas by muddling several pieces of fresh product with the contents. Try muddling some of these fruits, vegetables, and herbs individually or combine to create your favorite: jalapeños, cilantro, mint, ginger, cinnamon, cucumber, berries, grapes, peaches, melons, lemons, oranges, etc. You can use flavored and colored salts as well to alter the appearance and flavor of your concoctions.

The options are limited only by your imagination.

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Special thanks goes out to the following brands of Agave Nectar for providing samples for TEQUILA.net cocktails and tastings:
TLC Ingredients Inc. - TLCingredients.com
Mahava - MadhavaHoney.com
Partida - PartidaTequilaStore.com
4 Copas - 4Copas.com
Nekutli - AgaveNectar.com
Sweet Cactus Farms - SweetCactusFarms.com
Volcanic Nectar - VolcanicNectar.com

Here are several other TEQUILA.net favorite cocktails:

PALOMA

1.5oz Tequila Blanco or Reposado
1/2 Glass Grapefruit Juice (fresh)
1/2 Glass Squirt or Fresca

Fill highball cocktail glass with ice, add Tequila, Grapefruit Juice and Squirt, stir and serve. Rim glass with salt or sugar if desired.

TEQUILA MOJITO

1.5oz Tequila Blanco
8 Fresh Mint Leaves
2 tsp. Agave Nectar
1/4 Lime
Sparkling Water or Club Soda

Muddle Mint, Agave Nectar, and Lime, fill highball cocktail glass with ice, add Tequila and top off with sparkling water. Stir and serve.

HERRADURA TEQUILA SPA

1.5oz Herradura Tequila Blanco
5 Seedless Red Grapes
2 Lime Wedges
1 Lemon Wedge
1.5 tsp. Agave Nectar
2 Slices of Cucumber or Kiwi (garnish)

Muddle all contents, add ice, shake, and pour into a short cocktail or margarita glass. Garnish with 2 slices of cucumber or kiwi.

El Gran Jubileo Tequila Expands to US

Central Texas Spirits, Inc. introduces the award winning Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo Tequilas of El Gran Jubileo to the US this fall. Though well known in the finest Mexican resorts for years, Tequila drinkers north of the border will finally get a chance to experience the exceptional purity and character of these 100% Blue Agave Tequilas. These Tequilas set the standard for quality, smoothness and flavor.

TEQUILA.net - Central Texas Spirits will begin distribution of El Gran Jubileo Tequilas in October. According to representatives of both the distillery and Central Texas Spirits, the importation and distribution agreement "…is a perfect fit for the image and vision of the El Gran Jubileo brand as Tequila for connoisseurs of the finest spirits Mexico has to offer". The brand will be introduced initially at select events in both Texas and Florida.

El Gran Jubileo is produced by Destilería La Alborada. The distillery, family owned and operated, is located in the town of Tequila at the heart of the Agave producing region of the State of Jalisco, Mexico. The brand, until now, has been available only at boutique liquor stores and at the most exclusive resorts in Mexico.

Hand crafted El Gran Jubileo is now available in the US in limited quantities. “The introduction of the brand in the United States will be deliberate and methodical for all three labels: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo.” said Michael Fahrenthold of Central Texas Spirits. Introductions to the brand are scheduled at tasting events to be held at resorts and clubs throughout Texas and the Southern United States.

El Gran Jubileo Blanco, the Agave.net Agave Spirits Challenge Bronze medal winner has a pure, smooth, and fresh flavor. This blanco can be enjoyed with a slice of lime, mixed in a cocktail or on the rocks. This is a favorite of the “Master Tequiliers”.

El Gran Jubileo Reposado is carefully aged in white oak barrels for 10 months. The beautiful straw color with shades of gold evokes its personality of intense cooked agave flavor and notes of wood. This Agave Spirits Challenge Gold medal winner is ideal to drink by itself or it can bring a wonderfully smooth Agave flavor to cocktails or margaritas.

El Gran Jubileo Añejo is a limited production spirit which, as indicated directly on the label, has been aged for 5 years. This Tequila is best enjoyed by itself and drinks like the finest cognac, brandy or whiskey. El Gran Jubileo Añejo earned the Platinum medal, “Top Agave Spirit”, and “Judge Favorite” at the Agave.net Agave Spirits Challenge in 2008.

Central Texas Spirits, Inc. is a licensed Texas Importer and Wholesaler. Contact them through their website for more information about the brand, distribution opportunities and upcoming events featuring El Gran Jubileo Tequilas.

Central Texas Spirits, Inc

TEQUILA.net Goes Mobile!

A new mobile version of TEQUILA.net has been launched! This phone and PDA friendly interface shows the latest industry news, tequila brand listings, top rated spirits, and our favorite recipes.

A new Tequila NOM database interface has been added as well to make your brand research much easier. Access the new mobile Tequila web site at either of the following links:

http://m.tequila.net

http://mobile.tequila.net

Agave Spirits Challenge Winners Heading to the Las Vegas Tequila Fest

Several entries from the 2008 AGAVE Spirits Challenge event were selected to be part of the TEQUILA.net and AGAVE Spirits Challenge booth at the 2008 Las Vegas Tequila Fest. "We are excited to showcase these three premium Tequila brands at the second Las Vegas Tequila Fest, each is unique and known for their excellence", commented Darin Jones, owner of TEQUILA.net.

Noted for their 2008 AGAVE Spirits Challenge medals and high TEQUILA.net editor ratings, we are proud to host the following Tequila brands at our table:

MuchoTE Tequila Tequila 5150 Tequila 1921

Please stop by booth #209 to meet the owners responsible for these winning brands, along with Darin Jones (Aka. MrAgave), owner of TEQUILA.net. Join in discussions with Will Elger of MuchoTE Tequila, Frank Leal and John Kimball of Tequila 5150, and Anahi Rivera of Tequila 1921.

Each unique brand will be sampling their wonderful Tequila products.

About the Agave Spirits Challenge

Six expert judges from three different countries spent seven days looking for Agave spirit excellence. Judging took place at Royal Resorts Club International and Hacienda Sisal Restaurant between February 2nd and February 8th, 2008 in Cancun, Mexico. The judges blind tasted over eighty Agave spirits and rated them in six categories: aroma, initial taste, body, finish, smoothness, and quality for price. Agave spirits from all over Mexico were eligible to compete in this inaugural Agave Spirits Challenge and dozens of Tequilas, Mezcals, Sotols and Agave based liqueurs took up the challenge.

Visit www.AGAVE.net

About the Las Vegas Tequila Fest

The Las Vegas Tequila Fest 2008 is an exclusive industry event. Admission is complimentary and by invitation only. Invitations for the Las Vegas Tequila Fest are available to industry professionals, aficionados, and individuals of the "Food & Beverage" industry.

Visit www.LasVegasTequilaFest.com

Sombra Mezcal - Agave de Oaxaca - now available!

Sombra Mezcal - Fire, Rock and Earth - That's all it takes. Espadin Agave are hand harvested on the steep slopes of the Oaxacan Sierra. The hearts are slowly roasted in a rock pit over a mesquite fire and then ground, brewed, and expertly distilled. The result, Sombra, is one of the most tasteful and finest spirits produced on and of our earth.

Check out Sombra Mezcal on Tequila.net

Mejor Tequila Company Brings Modern Luxury to Tequila

The Mejor™ Tequila Company, LLC (MTC) introduces a luxury line of upscale tequilas, crafted to deliver unsurpassed quality and sophistication. We are pleased to report that this excitement has created a buzz in the fine spirits industry and with luxury spirit connoisseurs alike. We invite you to experience Mejor™ tequila and take the ultimate step into modern luxury.

Mejor™ is a new luxury tequila, but the founders of MTC have a mature understanding and long association with tequila. In fact, the art of cultivating premium quality (weber) blue agave has been in the family since the mid 1900’s, and it is with great pride that Mejor introduces its super premium lines of tequilas using its own family estate blue agave. The family estate fields of Mejor are located in the los Altos de Jalisco region- known for the rich red soils and tame arid microclimate consistently yielding the best crops of tall majestic blue agave.

Read the entire press release here:
Mejor Tequila Press Release

Tequila Esperanto

Tequila Esperanto Blanco, now available to review at TEQUILA.net. These Tequila bottles are true works of art, with a blown glass agave in the middle of a donut shaped bottle, and a box that was designed by Mexican Artist Genaro Pimientel. I have yet to try it, but hope to post a review soon.

There is an additional Esperanto Bottle design called the "pyramid" which I will upload soon.

Esperanto Bottles

Dos Lunas Tequila Anejo Wins Gold

February 22, 2008 (El Paso, TX) Dos Lunas Ańejo won the Gold Medal at the 2008 Agave Spirits Challenge last week in Cancun, Mexico. This is the first spirits competition in which Dos Lunas Ańejo has participated. During the blind tasting, over eighty tequilas were judged based on aroma, initial taste, the body of the spirit, the finish and lastly, smoothness and quality. Judges included tequila aficionados, master tequiliers, mixologists, authors and professors.

Made from natural yeast, Ańejo is aged for eighteen months in bourbon barrels and New American oak barrels, offering accents of warm vanilla and spiced plums. The product line began with Dos Lunas Silver and Reposado which have paved the way for the brand. Similar to its predecessors, Ańejo is a super-smooth, 100% natural, ultra-premium tequila. Consistency among all products is the key to the premium quality found in Dos Lunas Grand Reserve, a ten-year aged Extra Ańejo launched in late 2007. Dos Lunas strives to provide the best tequila in the world. Introducing Dos Lunas Ańejo fulfills the brand promise and completes the flight of Dos Lunas Tequilas. Dos Lunas Ańejo will officially launch this spring.

Contact: Dos Lunas Spirits
Emily Thompson, 915.533.2000
emilyt@doslunas.com

Tequila.net Hosts First Agave Spirits Challenge in Cancun, Mexico

Judges From Three Countries Review More Than Eighty Spirits of Mexico in Tequila.net's Inaugural Tasting Competition

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) February 21, 2008 -- Six expert judges from three different countries spent seven days looking for Agave spirit excellence. Judging took place at Royal Resorts Club International and Hacienda Sisal Restaurant between February 2nd and February 8th, 2008. The judges blind tasted over eighty Agave spirits and rated them in six categories: aroma, initial taste, body, finish, smoothness, and quality for price. Agave spirits from all over Mexico were eligible to compete in this inaugural Agave Spirits Challenge and dozens of Tequilas, Mezcals, Sotols and Agave based liqueurs took up the challenge.

Darin Jones, owner of Tequila.net was pleased with the number and quality of entries for this first competition. "The final results say it all: There are enjoyable premium spirits produced throughout Mexico, and it was exciting to see Tequila, Mezcal, and Sotol products at the top of the final ratings."

Tasting three flights a day, each flight comprised of six to eight entries, it took a full week to complete the tasting competition. The final rankings produced the top six spirits, which were then tasted blind, head to head for the final grand tasting held on February 8th. The finals included three Tequila products, two Sotols and one Mezcal.

Winners were announced at the live event held at Hacienda Sisal Restaurant which hosted a buffet of Mexican delicacies, a mariachi band and a free public tasting of all the entries. The top Tequila, Tequila El Gran Jubileo Extra Añejo also captured the Top Agave Spirit award. Mezcal El Zacatecano Añejo was named top Mezcal. Partida Tequila also captured the "Top Spirit Family" award, given to the highest rated brand with three or more entries.

The judging committee was a who's who of the world's Agave experts. Ricardo Cisneros is Master Tequilier and professor at University of Caribe. Elena Gamarra is a sommelier and professor at the same university in Mexico. Lance Cutler is a winemaker and author of The Tequila Lover's Guide to Mexico and Mezcal. Shawn Soole is a sommelier and associate editor of Chilled Magazine, and was named one of Australia's Best Bartenders of the year in 2006. Mark Cannon is a Tequila historian and artist who owns PocoTequila.com. "Tequila Joe" Horrigan is a spirit educator, writer, and owner of TastingAficionados.com.

"It is wonderful to see this kind of attention focused on the various Agave spirits of Mexico," said Ricardo Cisneros. "Agave spirits are the flavor of Mexico and as such they reflect directly upon our culture and heritage.

Shawn Soole commented, "I know a lot about cocktails, but this tasting opened my eyes to the length and breadth of variety in Agave spirits. I had no idea of the complexity they offer. I feel like I've discovered a whole new world of aroma and flavor."

All entries competed for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum medals along with "Best in Category" for designated categories. These best of category winners included Tequila Arette Blanco, Vida Tequila Reposado, Tequila Tres Mujeres Añejo, El Gran Jubileo Extra Añejo and Reserva del Señor Premium Almendrado.

Local Cancún artists and designers were present for the Bottle/Packaging design competition held Friday evening at the final tasting. The "Best Overall Presentation" was awarded to Partida Elegante Tequila, "Best Label Presentation" went to Jose Cuervo Platino Tequila, "Best Bottle Design" went to Tequila Rey de Copas, "Most Creative" went to 5150 Tequila, "Most Unique" went to Tequila Sol Azul, and "Most Artistic" was awarded to the family of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcals. Final awards for both the tasting and bottle design competition are available for viewing on the event web site, www.AGAVE.net.

"We want to thank the participants, our judges, and our sponsors," Darin Jones concluded. "Everyone involved assisted in making our inaugural event a huge success. The Agave Spirits Challenge is unique compared to other tasting competitions, as we take the time to taste the spirit, allowing a complete rating which includes the spirit's finish and enjoyability, and the fact that it is only open to the wonderful Spirits of Mexico."

http://www.Agave.net
http://www.Tequila.net

TEQUILA.net is a community web site for Agave products, with a database of over 500 reviewable listings, Agave news and new brand announcements, web links to distillery and brand web sites, and member forums.

Contacts:
Darin Jones, AGAVE Spirits Challenge Director
303-868-8248

Veronica Rivera, Event Coordinator
(Para información en Español) 303-204-0541

Event Location / Sponsors:

Royal Resorts - Club International de Cancun - http://www.RoyalResorts.com
Hacienda Sisal Mexican Grill - http://www.haciendasisal.com
Event Photography - http://www.VistaImagery.com

TEQUILA.net Adds Spirits of Mexico Map Showing Distillery Locations

A new feature announced today for the TEQUILA.net web site, a map of Mexico displaying distillery locations for Tequila, Mezcal, and Sotol. Many distilleries shown link to their own photo gallery, showing pictures of their production process, exact address, and current brands produced.

http://distilleries.tequila.net

This will be a work in progress, with new distilleries added as exact locations are confirmed. Everyone can participate and help build the Spirits of Mexico map by submitting distilleries not shown.

Additional maps will be added soon showing locations for both liquor stores and recommended restaurants / bars worldwide that are "Agave Friendly". These tools are provided to TEQUILA.net members and browsers that are interested in the Spirits of Mexico, making it simple to find locations worldwide where they can enjoy Agave products when traveling.

More information here at Tequila.net