Cheers

www.cheersonline.com 22 | APRIL 2014 dierent añejos or three silvers, or try all three expressions of a specic brand," points out Manley at Iron Cactus. ree glasses t into a custom-designed metal tray tted with a laminated card describing the tequilas. Prices range from $9.95 up to $69 for the Ultimate, a sampler of Herradura Seleccion Suprema, Patron Gran Platinum and Patron Gran Burdeos. "at ight does sell," says Manley, pointing out that the ight is more economical than purchasing each pour individually. Sangrita is available upon request at Iron Cactus, and it is becoming more popular as consumers discover this traditional accompaniment. Recipes vary, but sangrita is typically a spiced mix of tomato, orange and lime juices; real pomegranate grenadine is often used instead of tomato juice. QUEEN MARGARITA Despite the recent emphasis on sipping, the bulk of tequila is still consumed in mixed drinks such as the classic Margarita and Paloma or new cocktail creations by innovative bartenders. "We denitely serve more cocktails here at Agave," says Andrade, who estimates about 90% of tequila sales are in mixed drinks. Prices range from $6 to $10, with the exception of the $24.50 Truly Top Shelf Margarita, made with Casa Noble Añejo and Cointreau, topped with a oat of Grand Marnier Cuvee du Cent Cinquantenaire. Some of Agave's more unusual drinks include the Damianarita, which substitutes the herbal Damiana liqueur (considered an aphrodisiac) from the Baja for triple sec; and the Margarita Tradicional, made with Sotol, a spirit distilled from a desert plant and not often found north of the border. At e Smith, a three-restaurant group in New York, beverage director Je Leanheart rotates his take on the classic Margarita to t the season; at press time it was a Blood Orange Margarita ($13). "We always run a seasonal fruit Margarita and it is always in the top of our cocktail mix," notes Leanheart. e brasseries carry about a dozen tequilas; 2-oz. pours are generally priced at $11 to $16. Patron and Don Julio are the leading call brands, says Leanheart. A mainstay on e Smith's cocktail menu, under the Muddlers section, is the Cucumber Loco. It's made with fresh cucumber, lime juice, silver tequila, Cointreau and sea salt and sells for $13. COCKTAIL R&D Prior to opening Huerto, Zaraga hired a mixologist to craft a list of signature tequila cocktails. "People can get a Margarita or a Paloma anywhere, but these drinks are something dierent," says the owner. Most popular are e Remedy, mixed with Cazadores reposado tequila, St. Germain liqueur, lemon juice and Fever Tree ginger beer; and the El Pepino, made with Corzo silver tequila, muddled cucumber, lime juice, topped with soda and served on the rocks with cucumber garnish. Besides the cocktails, Huerto oers a selection of Margaritas, which come in two sizes: 12 oz. ($9) and jumbo 18 oz. ($16). Among the Margaritas is the Michigan Cherry, made with Michigan cherry liqueur. "It's awesome and we sell a lot of them," says Zaraga. At Zapoteca and Mixteca, cocktails range in price from $8 to $11. e signature drink is a Habañero Watermelon Margarita, which is double spiced with habañero-infused tequila and muddled fresh peppers, along with orange liqueur, agave nectar, watermelon puree and lime juice ($10). "Sales have been phenomenal," says Ramos. Zapoteca and sister restaurant Mixteca Mexican Food & Margaritas sell tequila flights with a house-made tomatillo sangrita. 18-23 tequila CH0414.indd 22 4/4/2014 11:07:14 AM

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