Tag Archives: Paloma

Drinko de Mayo

Cocktails / May 4, 2017 / No Comments.

Today is Quatro de Mayo.

That statement may mean nothing to you but it means a whole lot to us. It means we’re just one day away from Cinco de Mayo (or Drinko de Mayo as we like to say), a beautiful day that starts with margaritas and ends with tequila. But let’s switch things up this year. Put down the margarita mix and make our top three favorite Mexican cocktails (via SimpleMost). Try one, or try all three, it’s a holiday after all.

Paloma
This summery cocktail is that perfect blend of refreshing and tart, all while keeping the Cinco de Mayo tequila spirit.

Ingredients:

2 oz. blanco tequila
1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. chilled club soda
Kosher salt (optional)
Ice
1 lime wedge for garnish

Directions:

Moisten the outer rim of a highball glass with a lime wedge and coat lightly with salt. Fill the glass with ice. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, grapefruit and lime juices and simple syrup; shake well. Strain into the glass, stir in the club soda and garnish with a lime wedge.

Michelada
Cinco de Mayo drinks are all about having a little kick. With dashes of chipotle pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce, this cocktail is sure to pack a little heat.

Ingredients:

1 bottle (12 oz.) chilled dark Mexican beer, such as Negra Modelo
Clamato (or tomato juice)
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1/4 oz. fresh orange juice
2 or 3 dashes of chipotle pepper sauce
2 dashes of Maggi Seasoning Sauce or Worcestershire sauce
1 lime wedge
Kosher salt
Ice

Directions:

Moisten half of the outer rim of a pint glass with the lime wedge and coat lightly with salt. Fill the glass with ice. Add the beer, lime juice, orange juice, chipotle sauce and Maggi Seasoning and stir.

Red Sangrita
All power to you if you can get through this one. Part Bloody Mary, part everything delicious and everything that packs a punch. Cheers.

Ingredients:

9 oz. blanco tequila
15 oz. tomato juice
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 jalapeño (with seeds for a spicier drink)
3 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
2 oz. hot sauce
7 oz. fresh orange juice
1 1/4 oz. fresh lime juice

Directions:

In a large container, combine all of the ingredients except the tequila and stir until the salt is dissolved. Let stand for 15 minutes (30 minutes for a spicier drink). Discard the jalapeño and refrigerate the sangrita until chilled (about 2 hours). Stir well and pour into rocks glasses. Serve with shots of tequila alongside.

Cocktail Corner: the Paloma

Cocktail Corner / March 2, 2015 / No Comments.

On March 2^nd, 1836 the state now known for ten gallon hats, Friday night football, and perfecting Tex-Mex declared its independence. While Texas no longer flies the Mexican flag, there are many things the state adopted from its former governor. From Houston to Austin to El Paso, bartenders are taking advantage of locally grown ingredients and distilled spirits. The Paloma is the perfect example—combining grapefruit and tequila in a refreshing drink that might even convert you from the margarita. With a few simple ingredients, you can banish the winter blues with a drink that’s big and bold like the Lone Star State. Try this Paloma recipe from The Gage Hotel’s White Buffalo Bar in Marathon, Texas.

White Buffalo Paloma:

2 ounces tequila blanco
4 ounces fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
3 ounces Topo Chico
2 lime wedges

Salt the rim of a glass or add a pinch of salt to the drink, then add the tequila, grapefruit juice, and Topo Chico. If you can’t get your hands on fresh grapefruit juice and Topo Chico, you can substitute grapefruit soda like Fresca or Squirt. Squeeze and add the lime wedges. Fill the glass with ice and stir. If you like your Paloma on the sweeter side, add a little simple syrup or superfine sugar.

Fun facts: In 1993, the grapefruit was declared the official state fruit of Texas. The origins of the Paloma are uncertain—but the name is the Spanish word for “dove.”

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Her Shot: Toast to Two Ingredient Cocktails

Cocktails / May 28, 2014 / No Comments.

These days, it’s difficult to avoid the outrageous cocktail trend. Mixologists will combine ten or more ingredients to create obscure beverages with flavors ranging from bubblegum to Christmas tree. Intriguing, yes, but we know that sometimes your summer evenings call for something simpler.

So let’s bring it back to the original bartenders for a moment. The primary masters of “mixology.” They shake up a few ingredients and BAM, in front of you rests a sweet or sour treat. Sounds satisfying, right? Well you can be the bartender, too. Instead of selecting an elaborate mixology infusion, why not give our favorite classic two ingredient cocktails a try. This way, you too can effortlessly whip up whatever caters to your summer cravings.

Martini
First, we’ll start with a classic. Whether dry or dirty, a martini is always an elegant choice. So fill up your glass and proceed to look like an old-fashioned movie star. You’ll need:

• 1.5 oz. vodka or gin
• 0.5 oz. dry vermouth

Mimosa
A brunch essential, the mimosa’s tangy citrus combined with a sweet carbonation will make for a pleasant-tasting experience.

• 2 oz. orange juice
• 3 oz. sparkling wine

Paloma
This zesty cocktail offers another refreshing twist of citrus. A smooth and fruity paloma is the ideal thirst quencher for any hot and humid day.

• 2 oz. tequila
• 6 oz. grapefruit soda (i.e. Squirt or flavored seltzer)

Gimlet
Also referred to as a “gin sour,” the gimlet has been a standard tart sensation for years. After the first sip, your spirits will be uplifted by the drink’s flavorful use of lime.

• 2 oz. gin
• 1 ¾ oz. lime juice

Next time you’re not feeling so avant-garde, explore one of these easy cocktail solutions. Have another beloved two-ingredient recipe? Share it with us.

Free Stuff People Sent Us That We May Or May Not Like. Round LI.

Our Stories / February 9, 2014 / No Comments.

Legend says that El Burro Esparkalo, the Sparkle Donkey, delivered liquid salvation to many people in need in small Mexican villages. Sounds far fetched but after taking a sip of Sparkle Donkey Tequila, we were instant believers. We received two bottles of the tequila to taste: Reposado and Silver. Here’s what we thought.

Sparkle Donkey Silver: It’s no secret, we love tequila but we don’t settle for just anything. Some might call us tequila snobs but we know we just enjoy the good stuff. And Sparkle Donkey Silver is the good stuff. When we first opened the bottle, the strong tequila smell had us intrigued. It was subtle without being overwhelming like some bottles can be. Full of flavor, Sparkle Donkey Silver had a smooth finish and barely any burn. In true DIA fashion, we found ourselves wishing we had a lime and some salt for the perfect tequila shot.

Sparkle Donkey Reposado: Naturally gold tinted, Sparkle Donkey Reposado is rested for a few months to give the tequila a smoother, sweeter flavor. When we first opened we could smell the agave even more than in the Silver. We poured the tequila over ice and it had slightly sweet and seriously delicious flavor to it. We could have sipped it straight all afternoon and we couldn’t stop thinking about all of the margarita recipes we’ll be making with Sparkle Donkey.

If you’re a tequila lover (like us) or you love a good Paloma, pick up a bottle of Sparkle Donkey. Both offerings are delicious but we would go with Reposado. The bottles run around $24 a piece which we would be willing to spend for the quality. Have you tried Sparkle Donkey? Tell us what you thought of it.

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