LIQUOR.COM - DON JULIO TASTING

Photography by Jerry T. 

contributing www.liquor.com photographer

 I was running thirty minutes late to a Don Julio Tequila Tasting at Macao Trading Co. www.macaonyc.com.  Noted mixologist, owner of Macao Trading Co. and Employees Only, Dushan Zaric, was giving a tequila presentation. We shut the hell up very quickly, as he ran his mouth about Agave Plants and tried to make a smooth entrance.

I said “hello” as quietly as possible to more friends and we found a spot for us all to sit together. The cute waitress noticed us immediately and brought us shots of Don Julio Blanco accompanied by a shot of house made Sangrita right away. Sangrita, not to be confused with Sangria, is a spicy tomato based traditional Mexican chaser. The sangrita was delicious and made that shot possible for me to do since I had not had a shot of straight tequila in years! 

Dushan, cracked some funny jokes about him being much better looking when he started bartending in 2001. He was over all entertaining to watch especially after a couple of cocktails! He explained in detail Don Julio’s four types of Tequilas; Blanco, Resposado, Anejo and Extra Anejo. Dushan said, “Tequila is aged in barrels for a very short period of time. Oak is aggressive and Agave is delicate so if you age it for too long in a barrel, you will end up with a fine Cognac.”

 The next cocktail that we had was the crowd favorite called No Mames (literally means, "Don't Suck" in Mexican slang). It was well balanced and it may even be my new favorite tequila cocktail! After that, we had the Tequila Manhattan, which I didn’t like.  I enjoy drinking Manhattan’s with bourbon and don’t want tequila anywhere near my Manhattan!  The Tequila Manhattan was obviously more robust.

Elayne Duke, head mixologist at Diageo Wine and Spirits and owner of Duke on the Rocks claimed that “the only reason why people shoot tequila with salt is because a long time ago in Mexico, Doctors would prescribe Tequila with salt for everything since they couldn’t afford medicine.” Dushan said “It's just not even necessary to use salt in a Margarita because it over powers the tequila.”  Dushan handed Elayne a Jigger and she said in a comical way, “I can free pour.” No jiggers were used and many of us laughed as Dushan looked at her a little taken back as they mixed the Agave Drop Shot, “jiggerless.” She informed us that the proper way of taking a tequila shot is to softly bite into the lime, without swallowing the juice. Then, quickly shoot the tequila shot down hatch! We all screamed “Que Viva Don Julio!” as instructed by Elayne and downed the shot together! 

The presentation was over and the party finally began! We all mingled and most of us started to drink heavily as delicious appetizers from the Macao Trading Co. menu were fed to us. Thank goodness for those appetizer's because mixologist, Vincent Vitek's cocktails were a little too crackalicious for all of our own good! A burlesque show started where half naked chics danced in the middle of the room to old school tunes as some of us watched dancing along on couches. We all could barely see straight at this point, so we all decided to call it a night after the Burlesque show. 

I was super hung over the next day for obvious reasons, but it was totally worth it! My excuse to myself was that Cinco De Mayo came early this year! Would I do this all over again even though I have been in sweats all day? Helll yeeessssss! Until next time, xoxoxo.

 EVENT COCKTAILS & SHOTS

NO MAMES

Don Julio Resposado Tequila shaken with Barenjager Honey Liquer, Gresh Lime Juice & Grapefruit Juices, finished with St. Elizabeth All Spice Dram

TEQUILA MANHATTAN

Don Julio Anejo, Doulin Rouge sweet vermouth, Mandarin Napoleon & Angostura bitters & Bitter truth Xocolat Mole Bitters

LA PALOMA

Don Julio Blanco Tequila with Lime Juice, Pink Grapefruit Juice, Grapefruit bitters served tall with Soda

EL DIABLO

Don Julio Tequila Resposado with Crème de Cassis de Dijion, Lime Juice served tall with Ginger Beer

HONG KONG

Don Julio Blanco Tequila shaken with Lemon, Dow’s Fine Ruby Port & Pandan Leaf Syrup.

AGAVE DROP

Don Julio Blanco with Lime Juice & Agave Nectar

SPANISH RAINDROP

Don Julio Anejo with Oloroso Sherry, Lime Juice

SANGRITA RECIPE

1/4 cup Pureed Jalepeno                                                            
3/4 Tablespoon white pepper-more or less to taste
2-1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
5 oz Fresh Orange Juice
46 oz Tomato Juice
3/4 Tablespoon salt-more or less to taste
3/4 Tablespoon white pepper-more or less to taste
Tabasco to taste
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Mix well. Chill. Taste to test seasoning. To serve: Pour into shot glasses alongside ice cold tequila shots.