Display Comb 4

On Tuesday, May 26, we visited Los Colibris in Toronto’s Entertainment District for a private tasting of Casa Sauza‘s portfolio of tequilas, paired with culinary creations from the restaurant. We began with some tequila based cocktails and some Mexican hors d’oeuvres, and then it was on to the dining room for the main attractions.

The honoured guest of the night was Casa Sauza Brand Ambassador Karina Sanchez, hailing all the way from tequila country – Jalisco, Mexico. There she oversees the visitor experience at the Casa Sauza Heritage Centre. Tonight she came to educate us about the process of tequila production and what makes each of the Casa Sauza tequilas unique. What was particularly interesting to learn is how much sustainability now factors into the tequila production process, with Casa Sauza being a pioneering player in the industry.

Sanchez lead us through the tasting of five different tequilas – Sauza® Silver, Sauza® Gold, Hornitos® Plata, Hornitos® Reposado, and Hornitos® Black Barrel®. Prices range from $29.95 to $35.95 for a 750 ml bottle, and all are available at the LCBO, with the exception of the Hornitos® Plata, which is coming soon. We tasted the five tequilas on their own first, and then again with Mexican food pairings from Los Colibris. Each of the pairings were delicious, but my favourite pairing would have to be the Sauza® Gold with the Torta de Elote. The savoury brisket and the sweet corn cake truly brought out the sweet caramel notes of the tequila.

With the summer season just around the corner, it was great to learn about summer’s spirit of choice, and to sample some excellent Mexican fare, which paired perfectly with Casa Sauza’s offerings. For more information about Casa Sauza and its tequilas:

http://www.casasauza.com/
Twitter: @Sauza #CasaSauzaTO
Instagram: @SauzaMargaritas #CasaSauzaTO
Facebook: SauzaCanada

Here are some great cocktail recipes using Casa Sauza tequilas – give them a try at your next summer gathering!

Paloma

1 oz Sauza® Silver
1/2 oz lime juice
4 oz grapefruit soda
salt
lime slices, rim and garnish

Rim half of the glass using a lime slice and salt. Add ice cubes to the top and pour Sauza Silver, lime juice and grapefruit soda. Garnish with a lime slice.

Makes one serving.

Classic Margarita

2 oz Hornitos® Reposado
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz orange juice
1/2 oz agave nectar
lime slice, garnish
salt

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into margarita glass with fresh ice and half rimmed with salt. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Makes one serving.

Mixteca

Recipe by Los Colibris

2 oz Hornitos® Reposado
¼ oz agave syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
1 dash Xocolatl mole bitters
orange zest

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add all of the ingredients into the glass and stir until chilled. Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice and pour the cocktail into the glass using a strainer. Garnish your drink with a thin slice of orange peel.

Makes one serving.