Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/674905
50 / the tasting panel / may 2016 ARIZONA COCKTAIL WEEK A t this year's Arizona Cocktail Week, bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts flocked to an exclusive suite, where Azuñia Tequila was offering up a very special kind of beauty bar. As AZ Sales Manager Kailee Asher served up custom-created cocktails featuring the small-batch, estate-crafted tequila, guests had a moment to relax—and get a manicure or chic new eye makeup look. "I wanted to offer something nice for the people running around all day, and give them at least 20–30 minutes just to chill out and relax," said Asher. Relaxing was a given with cocktails so good, but you can't have a great tequila cocktail without a great tequila. "Azuñia is a very special tequila," explained Jim Riley, CEO/founder of Azuñia Tequila. "We work with a second-generation agave-growing family, the Zuñiga family, to maintain this really wonderful estate in the lowlands of Jalisco. Our blanco and reposado tequilas are USDA Certified Organic, and use only the best 100% Weber Blue Agave." With artisanal spirits like Azuñia Tequila mak- ing increasing inroads with consumers, Asher and Riley saw an opportunity to appeal to a new audience of women looking to explore tequila outside of the Margarita. "So much marketing in the spirits industry is geared towards men," explained Asher. "As a woman, and someone that knows many other women that love tequila in other forms than a Margarita, I wanted to do something that was a little more focused on women. In regards to flavor, tequila is generally a pretty floral spirit, and has a wonderful bouquet to it. Women like floral, so there's so much to explore there." While exploring new ways to reach the female consumer, Asher is also committed to playing with tequila in unexpected ways: "I wanted to create cocktails that most people wouldn't think to use tequila in, and change the perspective of how you can use that spirit in cocktails. Who would think that blanco tequila would go well with sake, or añejo with dry vermouth? But it works!" Azuñia Blanco and Reposado Tequilas are USDA Certified Organic. AZUÑIA TEQUILA BRINGS AGAVE SPIRITS TO WOMEN by Rachel Burkons / photos by Grace Stufkosky Femme Favorite Pink Polish ◗ 1½ oz. Azuñia Organic Blanco Tequila ◗ ¾ oz. junmai sake ◗ ½ oz. Passion Fruit Reàl Infused Syrup ◗ ½ oz. Coco Reàl Cream of Coconut ◗ 1 oz. Perfect Purée Lychee Cateye ◗ 1½ oz. Azuñia Añejo Tequila ◗ 1 oz. Dolin Dry Vermouth ◗ ¾ oz. housemade banana syrup ◗ ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice ◗ 1 muddled strawberry Kailee Asher, Sales Manager, AZ, NV, NM for Azuñia Tequila. Samantha Riley, wife of Azuñia Tequila CEO/founder Jim Riley, gets her eye makeup done at the Azuñia Tequila beauty bar during Arizona Cocktail Week.