A connoisseur's guide to mezcal
Have a taste whenever the opportunity arises, and of whatever is being offered, if only enough to discern differences and develop a palate.
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The Spirit Of Wine - Exploring Mexican Wine
Wine has been mankind's faithful companion since the dawn of time. The wine walks hand in hand with friendship, warm feelings, joy, nice and fruitful conversation. As Goethe put it, "Wine brings joy to...
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So, you want to try tequila?
"Oh, I don't know how Mexicans can drink something as strong as tequila!"
I've heard that remark many times, a statement not entirely in line with what is happening nowadays with our national beverage...
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Did You Know? Some tequila is priced at $225,000
I know what you're thinking:
"Tequila prices have been rising for years, but 225,000 dollars for a bottle is ridiculous!"
"Are we talking about a regular-sized bottle, or a supersized jumbo-jet full ...
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Did You Know? Tequila dates from the sixteenth century
In 1897, Carl Lumholtz, the famous Norwegian ethnologist, who spent several years living with remote Indian tribes in Mexico, found that the Huichol Indians in eastern Nayarti distilled agave juice usi...
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Did You Know? Oldest winery in the Americas is in Parras de la Fuente, Mexico
The oldest winery in the Americas is in Parras de la Fuente
In Mexico, vineyards and wineries exist in several states, including Baja California, Sonora, Zacatecas, Querétaro, and Coahuila. Wine expe...
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Mescal
Mescal, mescaline, mescal bean, mescal button; what are they? They are all intoxicants, which was what the word mescal meant in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Today mescal generally refers to...
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Just One And I Have To Go - The Joys Of Pulque
I always like a glass of good pulque and my friend Pedro had some of the best. Once allowed only to Aztec nobles and priests, pulque is produced by cutting out the cente...
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Chocolate atole: Champurrado
This ancient beverage brings together two Mesoamarican natives, corn and chocolate in a delicious and satisfying hot drink.
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Lime Water: Agua de Limón
This beats any lemon or lime ade I've ever tried. Its sweet-and-tart zing makes it a good substitute for margaritas if you want to serve appetizers without alcoholic beverages. The recipe comes from my...
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Mexican Autumn: Otoño Mexicano
This elegant libation could easily serve as an after-dinner drink, coffee and dessert all in one. Since it is served in a mug, why not present it in an attractive new one, as one of Mom's gifts?
Ingre...
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Pomegranate Punch: Ponche de Granada
This recipe, from the state of Jalisco, is usually served as an aperitif before a fiesta meal. In Mexico, the word ponche is most often used to mean a fruit-based alcoholic beverage. Upon aging,...
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Tamarind Water: Agua de Tamarindo
With the hugely burgeoning interest in international cooking, tamarinds have found a place in U.S. markets. An ingredient in Thai and Indian recipes, they are used in Mexico to make aguas and ...
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Coffee After Dinner Drink: Copacabana
I first tasted this at the Café Enamorada in Cholula. It's a no-fuss dessert choice, because it's coffee and dessert in one. Use the best quality chocolate available and whipped heavy cream.
Ingredie...
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Citrus-Tequila Cocktail: Mexicana
Refreshing as a dip in the Carribbean, this is a nice change from the popular spring and summer tequila-orange juice combination. Serve it in a tall, frosted glass, with your choice of garnish- a lime ...
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Hibiscus Flower Tea: Agua de Jamaica
Dried hibiscus flowers, known in Mexico as jamaica (pronounced "ha-ma-ike-ah", rather than like the name of the Carribbean island country) have long been available in health food stores in the U...
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Rum Milkshake: Toro
I hadn't been to Boca del Rio in many years, and was surprised to see it transformed from a sleepy fishing village to a gastronomic center. At a fair there, with a friend from Veracruz, just about ever...
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Sopa de Aguacate con Tequila: Avocado Soup with Tequila
This cream of avocado soup uses tequila in place of the traditional sherry. It is a refreshing first course or, served with a salad, a light spring or summer lunch. The ingredients should be well-chill...
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Refreshing Rice Beverage: Horchata de Arroz
Horchata is one of the most common table drinks in Mexico, usually served in pitchers to accompany the main meal, and is classified as an agua, like many Mexican fruit drinks. In some areas, horchata i...
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Cantaloupe water: Agua de melón
Sweet and juicy, cantaloupe melons make a delicious agua, one of the most popular with visitors and newcomers to Mexico, probably because of their widespread use as a breakfast fruit in the U.S.
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Cooking with Tequila: Mexico's National Drink Moves Into The Kitchen, part 1
Part 2
Tequila: the name alone conjures up a variety of images associated with the Mexican cultural landscape. From its beginnings in the blue agave fields of Jalisco, to its consumption in h...
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Chocolate Rompope: Rompope De Chocolate
A kid-friendly rompope, this is an adaptation of a recipe from Abuelita, a popular brand of Mexican chocolate. Adults who want their "cheer" and their chocolate, too, can add rum to their drinks.
I...
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Almond Rompope: Rompope Almendrado
This column presented a basic recipe for Rompope: Puebla Style Eggnog in the November 2003 issue of Mexico Connect. This one, which contains almonds, is very close to the original recip...
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Watermelon water: Agua de sandia
Succulent watermelon tempts shoppers in a Mexican tianguis, or traveling street market.
A favorite with kids, this drink is similiar in preparation to the one made with cantaloupe. However, because ...
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Pineapple, Cucumber and Celery Drink: Agua de Pina, Pepino y Apio
This recipe comes from Seasons of My Heart by the gracious and accomplished Susana Trilling, who gives Oaxacan cooking classes and serves refreshing fruit aguas to students as they prepare to...
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