Stogie Spirits: Margaritas
8 Apr 2008
I recently spent some time in Mexico to conduct research on cigars and margaritas. After some exhaustive experiments and dozens of tests, I came to the following conclusions:
Ingredients Matter
Like any cocktail, the quality of the ingredients makes all the difference. Use a instant margarita mix with cheap tequila and you’ll end up with a sub-par drink. Quality tequila is usually made with 100 percent blue agave, and it is distilled for maximum smoothness. Also important is a good triple sec like Cointreau or Grand Marnier. Finally, good lime juice is key, and the best is freshly squeezed from ripe limes. With that in mind, here is my go-to margarita recipe:
- 1. Juice of two freshly squeezed limes
- 2. Three onces of Sauza Tres Gerenations Plata (or Cazadores Reposado)
- 3. One and 1/2 onces of Cointreau
4. Stir with ice- 5. Serve on the rocks in a tumbler
Skip the Blender
As you may have noticed, the final step does not include a blender. As far as I’m concerned, frozen margaritas are for one thing only: hiding bad tequila or bad margarita mix. Too much blended ice leaves your drink watery and without flavor. Additionally, the ice will dull your palate making it nearly impossible to enjoy your cigar.
Skip the Salt
I think margaritas are can be great with salt but, if you’re pairing up the drink with a cigar, I suggest you skip it. The rock salt that is traditionally used to rim a margarita is far too powerful a flavor to allow you to enjoy a cigar. Your tongue will be overwhelmed with the saltiness, preventing your cigar’s flavors from shining through.
Go Full-Bodied
Tequila is a strong and flavorful spirit; a strong and flavorful cigar is needed to complement the combination of tequila and tangy lime. So go with a cigar that can hold up to those robust flavors. Te-Amo, with its Mexican roots, is a good possibility, as is the Domincan puro Opus X. Some other suggestions include the CAO Brazilia, the Don Pepin Cuban Classic (Black), the EO 601 Green, the Joya de Nicuragua, the Montecristo Cabinet Selección, the Padrón 7000, or the Tatuaje Havana VI.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
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You can find out more about Tequila production and fine Micro Tequila brands at http://www.TequilaRack.com
I recently purchased a TequilaRack Reposado Tasting kit on-line. It is a very impressive kit. Museum quality Tequila for sure. The Penacho Azteca brand turned out to be my favorite in the blind tasting although the Arette Unique had the coolest bottle.
I have read through many many cigar reviews and drinks on this website. I write tequila reviews personally and also work for Don Valente tequila in Texas. You are on par regarding the fresh limes and 100% agave tequila but instead of Gran Marnier or Cointreau…try agave nectar. If you want the orange flavors, squeeze some fresh orange or make it unique with Pineapple. Agave nectar is an organic sweetener made from the same thing tequila is made from. It is a wonderful compliment to a margarita.