Tequila Sippin'

There are a slew of amazing, high-quality tequilas out there these days that have completely transformed my view of agave-based liquor. Today's higher-end tequilas have legs that go on for miles, like the finest cognacs or old-vine Zinfandels. They feel buttery in your mouth, and in the esters you get hints of vanilla or honey. They are transcendent. In the past two years, I have gone from someone who completely reviled Tequila as one step below Thunderbolt and bathtub gin and one step above moonshine, to someone for whom Tequila-sipping is a new favorite pastime. The key is to find a tequila worth sipping. When you do, you'd be doing yourself a favor to sip it from a brandy snifter. More on tequilas worth sipping next week.

Today's weekend elixir is actually NOT a cocktail, but an accompaniment. I got this recipe off of he manager of an exceptional "Mexico City style Mexican" restaurant in downtown San Diego, Candelas. They have a terrific selection of tequilas, they make a mean mole, and their food is really fresh and scrumptious.

I recommend starting with your own very basic homemade Bloody Mary mixture of tomato Juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery seed, salt, fresh pepper and tabasco, all according to your taste. I do NOT recommend adding Old Bay or beef boullion for the purposes of this recipe. The goal is to end up with something a bit lighter, fresher and fruitier than bloody mary mix.

Sangrita (2 servings)

Approx 8 - 12 oz of bloody mary mix (homemade or store bought)
Juice of 1 1/2 limes
Splash of orange juice
Pinch of kosher salt
Pinch of fresh cracked black pepper

Tabasco (to taste)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Divide pour between two double glasses and enjoy alongside your favorite tequila.

Sangrita is not only the perfect chaser for tequila but it is also great for cleansing the palate between tequilas when conducting your own at-home tequila tasting (as long as you don't make it too spicy!). Amounts are approximate, based on watching and asking questions as he made it. This makes two servings.

Now I'm off to whip up a pitcher-full for . . . you guessed it . . . a tequila tasting!

I'll report back next Friday with the results.