Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/306378
THE MESSAGE 20 / the tasting panel / may 2014 PHOTO: KIRK WEDDLE PHOTO: JONATHAN CRISTALDI F or those of us who recall the beer- chugging, girls-on-trampoline days of The Man Show on Comedy Central, starring Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel, there's new reason to resurrect the show's famous closing toast: Zicke, Zacke, Zicke, Zacke, Hoi, Hoi, Hoi! That reason is Mangria, Carolla's ready- to-drink cocktail, a manned-up version of sangria, invented out of one evening's sheer desperation. "I was in my bathrobe, full load of Tivo shows," and he realized there was no booze in the house, save for the dregs of a red wine, a splash of vodka and a fridge full of citrus juices, thanks to his kids. After some on-the-spot mixology—"Eurkea! I invented Mangria," Carolla told me from his studio in Los Angeles. For all the discerning connoisseurs and industry moguls who are unconditionally serious about their profession, think what you will: The juice is damn tasty. Since its launch in 2012, Mangria is now carried in more than 600 locations nationwide, retailing at $18.99, and comes in Signature Orange, White Peach Pear and soon-to-be- released Brosé (a rosé you can share with your best bro). A new bottle design and twist-top should excite bartenders, and the dream is to have it served on tap. Jonathan Cristaldi: You brought your first batches to Jimmy Kimmel's barbecues. How'd it go over? Adam Carolla: Like gangbusters, except for one asshole, who literally handed me the glass back and said, "Yeah, not a fan." Was that Jimmy? Yes, that was Jimmy. (Pause, chuckling, then:) No, no, it was some guy I didn't know. Like, why didn't he just say it was delightful, go into the toilet and dump it? Everyone else loved it, and when they started feeling the effects of it—I realized I was onto something. What's the secret sauce? Is Two-Buck Chuck in there, seriously? It's made with real high-grade Napa wine, which starts off better than it needs to. And vodka. The rest is a secret sauce. Look, you can make a Big Mac at home, but it isn't gonna taste like a Big Mac. How would you categorize Mangria? In a world where there are 500 tequilas, 500 vodkas, 500 gins, my thing was to make something that doesn't exist. Mangria is in places like BevMo! and Hooters. Where else would you like to see it? You have a new book called President Me, so maybe you'd like it served at the White House? If you're asking me if I would hope for that, the answer is yes. I also hope the next time I see a guy walking under a freeway underpass with a brown bag around something, I can see the Mangria label sticking out just above the brown bag and everywhere else in between. Frank Sinatra never listened to his own music. Do you drink your own Mangria? The thing I'm proud of is, it's not like Seagram called my agent and said they got a cocktail, they're gonna call it Mangria, and Kimmel passed, Jon Stewart passed, Tim Allen passed and we think you're affordable and want you to hawk this stuff. No: I invented it, I drink it, we serve it at our parties—we've gone through over 25,000 cases. Wow. If you're Jack Daniels, you're devastated. If you're a comedian who goes out, has fun with it, makes it part of the show—it's fun for all. Are you forcing it on people who come on The Adam Carolla Show podcast? Yes. We get a funnel, like what they do with geese in Europe. That's illegal here in California. Well, not for Mangria it's not. I funnel it, and if it won't work in the top hole it'll work in another—you're next, by the way. We're drinking it like you prefer: rocks glass, three to four ounces, over ice with an orange wedge. Shall we toast? Zicke, Zacke, Zicke, Zacke— Hoi, Hoi, Hoi! A Man and His Mangria AN INTERVIEW WITH ADAM CAROLLA, MS (MASTER OF SANGRIA) by Jonathan Cristaldi Mangria is found in more than 600 locations nationwide. Television, radio and online personality Adam Carolla, cre- ator of Mangria, photographed in Austin, TX with some of his favorite reading material. Natural Brands, Inc Best Non-Alcohol and Mixes Partner The Leader in FRESH Lemonades, Custom Mixes and Juices David Commer Sunshine Margarita Natural Brands introduces this customized margarita made with their fresh squeezed juices! 1¼ oz. Patrón Silver ½ oz. Cointreau or Grand Marnier 2 oz. Natural Brands Fresh Margarita Mix Top with ½ oz. Natural Brands Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Rim half of a double old fashioned glass with Kosher salt. Combine ingredients 1-3 in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well blended and chilled. Strain into glass with fresh ice and top with ½ oz. Natural Brands Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice. Garnish with a fresh squeeze of orange and lime. Natural Brands Fresh Margarita Mix Created by Commer Beverage 2 Cups Natural Brands Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice 1 Cup Natural Brands Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice 2 Cups Simple Syrup* ¾ Cup Monin Agave Nectar 1½ Cups Purified Water Combine ingredients in gallon container. Whisk to mix completely. Transfer to Store 'n Pours ® . Label, date and store chilled. *To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and cold water. Whisk repeatedly until completely dissolved. For over 30 years, Natural Brands, Inc. has supplied Super-Premium Fresh or Pasteurized Citrus Juices, Lemonade, Sweet & Sour, and Margarita Mixes. Leading restaurant chains trust Natural Brands to convert time-consuming, expensive in-house prep Lemonade and Sweet & Sours into ready-to-use, consistent proprietary blends. Natural Brands would like to thank Vibe for the honor of their 2014 Award as "Best Partner for Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Mixes." We owe so much to our clients who always must remain anonymous. It was wonderful being nominated and voted by a panel of the very customers that we have served for the past 31 years. Our heartfelt and personal thanks to each of you. LIME JUICE LEMON JUICE FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE BASE-SOUR MIX MARGARITA LIME SOUR BASE PROPRIETARY CUSTOM MIXES www.naturalbrands.com Distributed Nationally through leading food-service distributors and fresh produce companies. Natural Brands, Inc., 9191 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218 Or call Kevin MacArthur at 800-929-4959 NaturalBrands_TP_FULL_May2014_AD_bleed_fi3.indd 1 4/18/14 5:41 PM TP0514_001-33.indd 20 4/24/14 10:44 PM