First off I want to thank you all for the comments on my last post. The Jassn Ceramic knives are so beautiful and fun to work with. They are making my kitchen chores go by so swiftly with beautiful clean and swift cuts. I wish everyone could win, but there can only be one winner. Don’t forget my readers get a 15 percent discount with the code Coco Cooks. So click on to the Jassn advertisement on my sidebar and order away! The winner is Milaxx! Congrats and enjoy preparing your vegetarian fare with them.
Now are you ready for cocktail hour? Tequila! I have had some crazy experiences with Tequila. Like most people years of drinking inferior stuff made me ill or do things I perhaps shouldn’t have. I recall years ago while in school in Paris , naively starting the night off with Champagne , then moving on to Margaritas with some friends. All I remember in one moment I was the rest room checking my lipstick and the next on a cafe chair curbside passed out about to have some water thrown on me to wake up. I had no idea how I got out there. So needless to say for years I avoided the stuff. Until I started working on and off in the restaurant industry and was able to try the better brands and see the distinction between fine Tequilas and other brands that will not be named. Now I know there are smooth, affordable tequilas like the award winning Espolon. I was lucky enough to receive samples of both the Tequila Blanco and the Tequila Reposado and create some cocktails. I found these two were smooth enjoy and sip alone, but worked well in cocktails as well.
ESPOLÓN™ TEQUILA
Handcrafted with 100% pure Blue Agave, Espolón is an award-winning collection of super-premium
tequilas that celebrate real Mexico and highlight its storied culture through classic 19th century Mexican
artistry and iconic imagery. Espolón’s label illustrations portray the stories of characters Guadalupe,
Rosarita and Ramón, a proud rooster and symbol of national pride, as they relive significant moments in
Mexico’s rich history.
ORIGIN
Espolón Tequila is distilled and bottled at Destiladora San Nicolas, an artisan distillery in the Los Altos
(Highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico. San Nicolas sets the standard for tequila production and was
awarded the “Best Tequila Factory in Mexico” by the School of Architects and Engineers of Jalisco.
Master distiller Cirilo Oropeza brings decades of expertise and careful craftsmanship to the creation of
Espolón Tequila, applying as much artistry to the liquid as you will find on the label.
CRAFTING ESPOLÓN
PRODUCT RANGE AND TASTE PROFILE:
Espolón favors craftsmanship over mass production—to extract richer, more intense flavors, they cook
their agave piñas for 18 to 20 hours (versus the industry average of 12), and their distilling process lasts
5½ hours (versus the industry average of 3½). Two award-winning expressions are now available in
select US markets, Blanco and Reposado, each with a unique label featuring Guadalupe, Rosarita and
Ramón:
Espolón Tequila Blanco
Inspired to the bone, Guadalupe and Rosarita join Father Miguel Hidalgo in his brave campaign for
Mexican independence from Spain. As depicted in this label’s scene the couple fight fiercely, and
with undying passion. As Ramón the Rooster crows his shrill battle cry, the brave army of
revolutionists clash against tyranny, against the cruel caste system, willing to sacrifice everything
for the cause. And although their bold efforts would fall short, this movement set the stage for
Mexico’s eventual independence.
Espolón Tequila Blanco
Unaged – direct from distillation.
Clear in color with a platinum cast.
Delicate, sweet agave; floral, tropical fruit and lemon zest aromas with a hint of pepper.
Soft mouth-feel, light to medium-bodied palate with bright agave flavor; notes of pepper,
vanilla bean and grilled pineapple.
Elegant, clean finish that ends with a hint of spice.
Espolón Tequila Reposado
Spain’s Hernando Cortés captured the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, conquering its people and
building Mexico City in its place. As illustrated in this label, Guadalupe and Rosarita revel in the
markets of this new metropolis, yet a pair of devilishly toothy grins hint at their true intentions.
Driven by a passion for Aztec civilization—as their spirits had once played a role in this complex
culture—our couple scheme to infuse elements of Aztec culture into every market in the country.
Guided by Ramón the Rooster, they vow that generations would remember this great fallen
society’s impressive achievements.
My favorite soda is a Mexican brand called Jarritos Grapefruit Flavor or Toronja and I made a classic Paloma , Mexcios favorite cocktail with the Tequila Blanco. Crisp refreshing and light .
With the Tequila Reposado I had some fun. I made a cocktail with some Goya frozen Passion Fruit Pulp. I will call Passion Buzz.
- For the Paloma
- 1 shot Espolon Tequila Blanco
- Jarritos Toronnja or other Grapefruit Soda
- Ice
- For the Passion Buzz ( 1 pitcher)
- 1 package Goya Frozen Passion Fruit Pulp ( keep frozen)
- 1 cup simple syrup
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 cup Espolon Tequila Reposado
- Sparkling water or Soda
- ice
- Colored sugar for rim
- For the Paloma
- In a glass with ice our 1 shot of Espolon Tequila Blanco .
- Top off with Jarritos Toronja soda.
- Garnish with a lime.
- For the Passion Buzz
- In a blender add the frozen Goya Passion Fruit Pulp broken into chunks.
- Add simple syrup, Espolon Tequila Reposado, juice of 1 lime and few more ice cubes.
- Blend to a puree and it should be icy and slushy.
- Taste and add sparkling water to suit your tastes . Mix
- Dampen rim of glass and dip in colored sugar .
- Pour cocktail and enjoy.