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July 24th is National Tequila Day. How about a “pot luck” tequila tasting?
The idea is to compare different tequilas, and decide which brands you prefer.
It can be as simple as tequila and tortilla chips get-together, or a tequila-and-dinner potluck.
Call your favorite tequila lovers and ask them what brand(s) they have.
Then, make a list of who’s bringing what, so you don’t end up with, say, four bottles of Jose Cuervo.
You can taste silver/blanco/plata tequilas only, or mix in some aged tequilas (such as reposado and añejo.—the different types of tequila).
If you’re serious about tasting the differences in the tequila brands, don’t serve mixed drinks. The mixers cover up the distinctive flavors.
If you want to spend an hour tasting and discussing the tequilas, and then opening up the event to Bloody Marias, Margaritas and Palomas, go for it!
> The History Of Tequila
HOW TO HAVE AN EASY TEQUILA TASTINGS/font>
The easiest way to hold a tasting is to have everyone look at their tequila stocks and decide what they’d like to contribute.
In addition to some tequila of your own, you supply:
Shot glasses (plastic is fine)
Guacamole, salsa and chips
Sparkling waters to drink in-between tequila tastes
For a dinner party, how about a:
DIY taco bar.
Grilled chicken or seafood (if you want a sauce, make it citrus-based).
A mixed green salad topped with the grilled chicken or seafood (with a citrus vinaigrette).
Tex-Mex: chicken fajitas, fish tacos, pork enchiladas.
Dessert: mango sorbet, with or without berries. You can even pour tequila over it.
RECIPE: CITRUS VINAIGRETTE
You can use any citrus juice: grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, and one of our favorites, yuzu*.
You can combine different juices, e.g. lemon and lime, or grapefruit and orange.
This recipe also uses the shaking technique: Shake the dressing in a jar to emulsify it. If you prefer whisking or other technique, go for it.
Ingredients For 1½ Cups
1 small shallot, finely chopped
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
5 tablespoons fresh citrus juice
¼ teaspoon finely grated citrus zest
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Vinaigrette can be made up to one week ahead. Just refrigerate and shake or whisk before using.
1. COMBINE the ingredients in a small jar with a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake to blend.
2. TASTE and add more salt and pepper as desired.
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*In the U.S., yuzu juice is typically available only bottled.
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[1] Most of the tequila consumed is unaged, known as blanco, plata or silver (photo © Sauza Tequila).
[2] Aged tequilas are more appropriate for sipping: They pick up layers of flavor from time spent in wood barrels (photo © Tequila Avión).
[3] Extra points for bringing a special-edition bottle (photo © Cazadores Tequila).
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