Dumb question about Tequila

[AdminAssistant]

I can see why with certain drinks you'd want to use a higher quality whiskey. Say, in an Old Fashioned (made without soda water) or a Mint Julep, where the drink by and large IS just whiskey, then you'd probably want to start off with something good, since that's the primary flavor in the drink.

Sure. I pretty much stick to mixes with cola or whiskey sours or just...straight. But yes, in something like a julep, a high quality whiskey is called for; specifically in a julep, a high quality Kentucky bourbon. mmmmmm.

[artifical sweetner]

tequila can be pretty bad tasting but i do like Petron

[taxguykarl]

tequila can be pretty bad tasting but i do like Petron

Try Agavero. That is almost too good to use in a mixed drink.

[Jester]

So, the birthday girl ordered frozen. BLECH.

Frozen margaritas are....well....pedestrian. THOSE are cocktails that you should not waste good tequila in. If the people I am with insist on ordering frozen margies, sure, why not? But don't waste good tequila in them.

That being said, as a bartender, if someone orders a frozen margarita, I will still ask them if they have a preference in tequila. Why? Well, if they want to waste their money on a patron strawberry rita, it can only benefit my bar and myself. I am NOT going to turn down a fool's money. I may CRINGE while making the drink, but I am not going to tell them not to do it (unless they ask my opinion, of course).

Now, that said, anyone actually mixing good whiskey? No no no.

As has been said, it depends on the cocktail. Just as there is little reason to waste high end vodka in a Bloody Mary, there is no need to use top shelf whiskey if you are mixing it with Coke. But if you are getting a Manhattan? Oh, hell yes, get you some good whiskey or bourbon! Woodford Reserve, anyway?

I'm not a huge fan of whiskey (though I had a sip of Chivas once and thought it wasn't bad),

Chivas is scotch, not whiskey. Now, while it can be argued that, technically speaking, scotches ARE whiskey (aged whiskey from Scotland), they are generally not grouped with whiskeys and bourbons, as they are designed to be enjoyed in a different way. Idiots who combine scotch with Coke deserve to be parted with their money, and quickly.

While I don't think I'll be trying this experiment again anytime soon (remember that this was done entirely on a whim), next time I'll try to find a higher quality tequila. I just hope I can find a nip of one, because I don't want to commit to a whole bottle of something I might not like. Though perhaps next time I go to Chili's (or some such place) I could order one and if I like it, ask what brand they use.

I think you should try the experiment again, since your first one was befouled by that jackass Jose.

But the way you find a tequila you like is close to what you thought of doing. Don't just go to a bar, blindly order a margie, and then ask what they used to make it. No no no, my friend. Go to a bar, preferably when they are not slam bang busy, and talk to the bartender, get their input and their opinion, and see what they can do for you.

Now, there will be many a bartender who just looks at you blankly and repeats themselves with something like, "So, you want a margarita with which tequila?" But then there are also the bartenders who will know what you are asking, and who will be able to wax poetic about their preferences and the art of making a good cocktail.

Where do you find these good bartenders? It's really just luck of the draw. I have seen great bartenders at chains like Chili's, and lousy ones at "good" bars. If you get the sense that the bartender is just a drink-making drone, order something you know you like and move on. If you score one of the good ones, mine him or her for all their worth.

Or, of course, if you're ever in the Florida Keys, just come into my bar.

[nhollywood]

[QUOTE=Dave1982;559688]Depends on what you're doing with it. I'm not a huge fan of whiskey (though I had a sip of Chivas once and thought it wasn't bad).

Sort of off topic, but if you are interested in a nice scotch then I would highly recommend Balvenie's Doublewood. It is aged 10 years in Oak and 2 years in Sherry wood to give it a smoother taste. About 6 oz of water with 1 oz of scotch and 60 seconds will give an even smoother drink.

[edible_hat]

I may CRINGE while making the drink, but I am not going to tell them not to do it (unless they ask my opinion, of course).

That reminds me of when my mum went through a phase of trying various spirits. She didn't know much about what goes with what (and still doesn't). When she ordered kaluha and coke, the cringe on the waiter's face made her immediately change her mind.

[mandaliz8704]

This thread made me want to drive 5 hours south and find Jester's bar. I love margaritas.

But, I have about 5 more months at least before I can have another one.

[Eric the Grey]

Cuervo is the drink of Satan. I find it funny that when we went to south America, the liquor stores all sold it, instead of other brands. I would have expected something more local, and was hoping to find an actual bottle with a worm in it, just for conversations sake.

I prefer the reposado or anedo varieties, personally. They're aged, so they're not quite as harsh as the plata, or white/silver varieties. My personal favorite is Cabo Wabo, or, if I can't find that, Patron.

I'm a Patron person myself, but then, I've never tried the others you've mentioned. I currently have a bottle of Gold and one of Silver, which will probably last for several more years. I'll have to do that some day. Tequila is my drink of choice, and I prefer something I can sip, rather than just toss down as a shot.

I take it then, that a decent brand will NOT taste like it was steeped in an ashtray?

Not just no, but HELL NO!

First, Jose Cuervo is utter crap.

Aww, come on Jester, don't hold it in, tell us how you really feel.

And for those of you out there who are just now making their first margarita, let me give you a bit of advice. It is not enough to simply throw tequila, lime juice, sweetener (triple sec, Cointruea, Grand Marnier) and sour mix into a shaker. You have to get the ratios right. To wit: 3 parts tequila, 1 part sweetener, 1 part lime juice, and 1-2 parts sour mix. Also, if you are using top notch ingredients such as those listed above, why use something inferior like Rose's Lime Juice? Squeeze the limes FRESH. The difference is astounding.

Thus endeth today's lesson. Tomorrow's lesson will be about making the Original Margarita, which does NOT use any sour mix. Good bartenders know the secret to that one.

I'll have to remember this. I tried making margarita's once. My blender broke since it was cheap crap, and they never did get made. I don't even know what happened to the mix...


Eric the Grey

[Jester]

When she ordered kaluha and coke, the cringe on the waiter's face made her immediately change her mind.

I have heard of, seen, and made far worse than Kahlua and Coke.

This thread made me want to drive 5 hours south and find Jester's bar. I love margaritas.

Come on down! I will make you a margarita that will make you forget the other ones you have had, and will spoil you for any other margie on the island. You may find such a statement boastful, but I have yet to have anyone tell me I was wrong.

Cuervo is the drink of Satan. I find it funny that when we went to south America, the liquor stores all sold it, instead of other brands.

Because idiot gringos buy it, and as any businessman anywhere can tell you, you sell what people buy!

I'm a Patron person myself, but then, I've never tried the others you've mentioned. I currently have a bottle of Gold and one of Silver....

Gold meaning Reposado or Anejo? Either is fine, but I think you will find that Anejo is far superior!

Aww, come on Jester, don't hold it in, tell us how you really feel.

I really feel that Cuervo is utterly repulsive crap that has been marketed to stupid Americans who really don't know the difference between inferior toilet water masquerading as palpable tequila (a.k.a. Cuervo) and actually good tequila (most reposados or anejos).

I tried making margarita's once. My blender broke since it was cheap crap, and they never did get made.

A good margarita is NEVER made in the blender. Frozen margaritas? An American invention. A good margie should be made in a shaker, over ice. Frozen? For wussies and pussies.

[Eric the Grey]

A good margarita is NEVER made in the blender. Frozen margaritas? An American invention. A good margie should be made in a shaker, over ice. Frozen? For wussies and pussies.

My sister got me hooked on what she called "cracked" margarita's. Put the ice in a blender and hit the switch for a second or two, just enough to break the ice up, but not enough to actually blend it. Of course, nobody knows how to do that. The last place I ordered one at (a mexican food place) had blended, from a machine or over ice. I had mine over ice, because you couldn't choose your tequila in the other...



Eric the Grey

[wolfie]

I really feel that Cuervo is utterly repulsive crap that has been marketed to stupid Americans who really don't know the difference between inferior toilet water masquerading as palpable tequila (a.k.a. Cuervo) and actually good tequila (most reposados or anejos).

I read once in a bartender's guide that pretty much the only liquor you could substitute for tequila was "bathtub gin" (i.e. the Prohibition-era homemade booze). From your statements, can I assume that going from the worst "bathtub gin" to Cuervo would be a few steps down?

[Jester]

My sister got me hooked on what she called "cracked" margarita's. Put the ice in a blender and hit the switch for a second or two, just enough to break the ice up, but not enough to actually blend it. Of course, nobody knows how to do that.

The way to order that, my friend, is to order your margarita on the rocks, but tell the bartender to shake the SHIT out of it. That will give you the same effect (i.e., ice slightly broken up) without confusing the average bartender.

I read once in a bartender's guide that pretty much the only liquor you could substitute for tequila was "bathtub gin" (i.e. the Prohibition-era homemade booze). From your statements, can I assume that going from the worst "bathtub gin" to Cuervo would be a few steps down?

You are wrong. And so are they.

Look, gin and tequila are in no way similar, nor can you substitute one for the other, no matter how bad they are.

Now, I am not a fan of Cuervo, but I despise gin, and bathtub gin is simply rotgut. If you were going to substitute one for the other, bathtub gin would not be comparable to Cuervo, but to mezcal. You know...the shit with the worm in it?

As much as I despise Cuervo (and I do), I would rather drink it all day long than have even the finest gin. Bathtub gin?
I'd rather join Rapscallion on the Teetotaler Express than drink that swill!

[AdminAssistant]

Gin. Yuck. I might enjoy martinis - they certainly look cool and I do love olives. But...gin is just icky.

[Shards]

Why does toilet water (aka Jose) sell?

Brand Recognition, Cheap tequila, Frat Boys.

There are no other explanations, and this is coming from someone who doesn't even drink yet.

[Dave1982]

Gin. Yuck. I might enjoy martinis - they certainly look cool and I do love olives. But...gin is just icky.

If you don't like gin, then I doubt you'd like a Martini, which is just gin and dry vermouth.


Back to the original topic....I've heard several recommendations for Patron tequila both here and from co-workers, so if I can find a small amount of it, I'll try that next. I was going to try to get some today, but I was tired and didnt' feel like making a side trip to the liquor store.

I ended up unloading the last of the silver Jose Cuervo on a girl at work who is a glutton for cheap tequila. She was THRILLED to get free tequila, even if it tasted like lighter fluid.