At a time when we’re learning more about what goes into our bodies, and how the foods we ingest affect us, we’re empowered with the ability to make smarter choices for both our short- and long-term wellbeing. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo means tequila and Mexican food, and there’s a cleverer, healthier way to celebrate. Here’s what to look out for:
- Stay Pure + Simple: The purer the tequila, the better the cocktail and the lesser the hangover. It’s pretty simple.
- Muddle, Don’t Muddy: The cocktail ingredients mixed “with” the tequila matter almost as much as the tequila itself. If you’re opting for a pure tequila like Azuñia Tequila, don’t ruin the cocktail with cheap mixer ingredients.
- Consistency in Pairing: Drinking well invites eating well. Make sure your Mexican food is as high-end as the Margarita with which it is pairing. Maintain a premium and healthier experience throughout.
Photo: Charity Johnston
Charity Johnston, Beverage Director, The Madera Group (Tocaya Organica and Toca Madera), says Tocaya Organica is a place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo while still having a health-conscious dining experience. “Customers can enjoy all the bold Mexican flavors they know and love, paired with fresh ingredients, designed to accommodate a variety of dietary preferences,” says Charity. “The same philosophy is found in our margaritas, which we make with Azuñia Organic Tequila and Azuñia Organic Agave Syrup.”
Tocaya offers unique flavors of margaritas like refreshing Prickly Pear, Passion Fruit, Tamarind, Strawberry, and Spicy Margaritas (fresh jalapeño, cilantro, lime, and finished with tajin salt). But for those looking for a standard take, the Organica is a classic margarita with just lime juice, Azuñia Tequila, and Azuñia Agave.
“Tocaya prides itself on being as organic as possible, like Azuñia, so the two brands are a perfect fit.”-Charity Johnston, Beverage Director, The Madera Group
Charity says that the most essential part about ordering a cocktail is knowing the ingredients’ origins. And for Tocaya that means being pure, organic and accountable from the beginning to end of the food/beverage process. “Personally, I am a huge fan of Azuñia Tequila and have been for a while,” she asserts. “I have been to the distillery to see how they make their product and really saw the care that goes into it. Tocaya prides itself on being as organic as possible, like Azuñia, so the two brands are a perfect fit. Of course, it also tastes amazing! There are no additives; it is all natural, and they take the time to create a high-quality product—again something that Tocaya always strives for.”
Staying true to its rich history and tradition, Azuñia Tequila is made the old-fashioned way: harvested by hand, cooked in an horno (oven), and through natural open-tank fermentation. Local yeast finds its way to the fermentation tank and depending on temperature and humidity may take up to seven days to complete the fermentation process. The tequila is then twice distilled in pot stills to 46% ABV to retain as much rich sweet agave flavor as possible.
It’s no wonder that one of the healthiest Mexican restaurants around would choose Azuñia for its go-to tequila.
If you can make it to a licensed Tocaya this Cinco de Mayo, check out the bar’s Prickly Pear Margarita and pair it with a light dish like the Summer Love Salad or Fish Tacos. The Tamarind Margarita goes particularly well with something that has chicken or mushrooms, while the Passion Fruit Margarita has the perfect balance for anything spicy on the menu.
Can’t make it to one of Tocaya’s locations? No problem. Here are some Azuñia masterpieces created by Tocaya that you can make at home:
Prickly Pear
Ingredients:
- 2 Muddled Sliced Cucumber
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 oz. Prickly Pear Agave
- 1.5 oz. Azuñia Blanco Organic Tequila
Glassware: Bucket
Garnish: 2 Edible Mixed Flowers
Instructions: Combine all ingredients together. Shake and strain over ice.
Organica
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 oz. Azuñia Organic Agave Syrup
- 1.5 oz. Azuñia Blanco Organic Tequila
Glassware: Bucket
Garnish: Salt rim, Tocaya gold metal straw, lime wheel
Instructions: Combine all ingredients together. Shake and strain over ice.
Tamarind
Ingredients:
- 1 Thyme Sprig
- .75 oz. Lime Juice
- 1 oz. Liquid Alchemist Tamarind
- 1.5 oz. Azuñia Blanco Organic Tequila
Glassware: Bucket
Garnish: 2 Thyme Sprigs, 1 Mixed Flower
Instructions: Combine all ingredients together. Shake and strain over ice.
