Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/35876
ALDERETE TEQUILA: It’s All in the Family With their roots in the agriculture industry since the mid-20th century, the Alderete family knows a thing or two about growing outstanding ingredients. Alderete won Double Golds for its Blanco and Reposado expressions at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and palates are certainly pleased. See more on Alderete on page 78. Poolside Appeal: Tequila-based cocktails and the Arizona sun are a match made in heaven, so when Mixologist Fabian Osorino from the Lalla Grill in Monterey, CA came to town to create his poolside sipper, he wisely VALLARTA SPLASH ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 1½ oz. Tequila Alderete Blanco ½ fresh-squeezed lime ¾ oz. pineapple juice ½ oz. St Germain Elderflower Liqueur 4 leaves fresh basil, muddled 1 dash agave nectar 1 pear slice Combine ingredients and shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with pear. chose to let the tequila lead the way: “I was inspired by the citrus and floral notes in the tequila,” explains Osorino, who chose to use the brand’s Blanco expres- sion because of its fresh, fruit-friendly flair. Our Panel’s Palate: “The earthy, ultra-aromatic tequila is poised to pair with the bright fruit flavors.” —Todd A. De Silva “This is a smooth, sweet tequila with fresh agave flavor: a perfect base for this refreshing drink.” —Mike Muncal PATRóN TEQUILA: Summertime Surprise Eric Carfagnini of Scottsdale restaurant Culinary Dropout. THE INTERNATIONALE 1½ oz. Patrón Reposado ½ oz. Lillet ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ¾ oz. lemon juice 1 oz. fig syrup Splash of soda Garnish with two fig-infused cherries and an orange swirl. 92 / the tasting panel / july 201 1 With a brand as iconic as Patrón, not much needs to be said. But with qual- ity ingredients, a low, sexy silhouette that’s easy to identify from across the bar and a loyal following of consumers, the brand is a veritable tequila jug- gernaut. The sexy Reposado expression is aged in oak barrels for an average of six months, striking a perfect balance between the bright, fresh citrus notes of Patrón Silver and the smoky, oakey Patrón Añejo. Poolside Appeal: The recipe spoke of summer desert fruit, with a nod to the plump, ripe fig, which segues into fall: “Fig is a great underused summer fruit for cocktails,” explained bartender Eric Carfagnini. “When paired with the tequila, it takes on a sangria-esque quality.” Our Panel’s Palate: “The fig syrup is a new fresh twist on agave nectar—very revolutionary!” —Nicole Greenberg “The oak influence of the reposado and the fig nuance brings out a subtle spice that works on an intricate level of subtlety.” —Trudy Thomas Ronnie Alderete (left) and mixologist Fabian Osorino of Lalla Grill in Monterey, CA.