Read on for tips on cocktailing and more!
Tequila vs. Mezcal
All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas.
Tequila is a type of mezcal, much like how scotch and bourbon are types of whiskey. According to spirits writer John McEvoy, mezcal is defined as any agave-based liquor. This includes tequila, which is made in specific regions of Mexico and must be made from only blue agave (agave tequilana).
Different agave and different techniques
Mezcal can be made from more than 30 varieties of agave. According to spirits writer Chris Tunstall, the most common varieties of agave used for mezcal are tobalá, tobaziche, tepeztate, arroqueño and espadín, which is the most common agave and accounts for up to 90% of mezcal. While both undergo roasting to bring out the sugars before they are distilled, Mezcal's roasting process -- sometimes in a pit in the ground -- imparts a smokiness to the spirit.
They're produced in different regions
While there is some geographical overlap, tequila and mezcal primarily come from different regions of Mexico. According to McEvoy, tequila is produced in five places: Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas and Jalisco, which is where the actual town of Tequila is located.
Conversely, mezcal is produced in nine different areas of Mexico: Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla and Oaxaca, which is where upwards of 85 percent of all mezcal is made.
Swap out the Tequila and have Mezcal step in
At Twin, we love mixing it up and using mezcal instead of tequila in a margarita! Here’s how we do it:
• 2 oz mezcal
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave nectar
• 1/2 oz Cointreau
Add all ingredients to a shaker, and add ice. Shake until chilled and strain into ice-filled tumbler glass.
Tips for Hosting Events
No matter the season – there is always something to celebrate!
Spring Soirée
From casual family dinners on the patio to spontaneous picnic dates with friends, there is just something about spring renewal that makes us want to get together. Spring is typically associated with a soft cool vibe – stick with an overall muted palette accented with bold pops of color in your plates, glassware or florals! Consider serving light salads, cheese plates and grilled anything! Pair with a fruit forward cocktail or a bottle of rosé to bring it all together.
Derby Days
Spirit, sugar, mint and tons of crushed ice in a silver or copper cup make up the mint julep. While there is debate over whether the drink originated in Kentucky or Virginia, there is no denying that Kentucky staked their claim on the cocktail with the Kentucky Derby where it has been served since 1938.
Wedding Showers
Whether a drive by caravan, a virtual toast or an in-person socially distanced gathering – we have you covered. Consider sending a cocktail kit or bottle of wine to virtual guests or have available at a drive-by event as their “goodie bag”. For in-person, why not try batching! Make a cocktail for the event ahead of time and bottle it in individual containers to make serving guests easy (mason jars work great!).
Cinco de Mayo
No matter how you sip your tequila, pick something that is 100% agave for the best quality. In terms of age, if you like clean and crisp, go with a blanco/silver tequila. If you like a little spice, try a reposado, which means rested on oak for 3-6 months. Or, if you love Bourbon but want to try a tequila, go for an añejo, which can have up to 2 years in oak, giving it a warm, caramel richness.
Try our Cadillac Margarita combo pack:
- Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- Grand Marnier Liqueur
A Brief History of Rosé
How it began
Thick skinned white grapes and heavily tannic red grapes were crushed/blended and diluted to create a palatable wine with some semblance of balance. For many centuries wine evolved, and in the early 1900s rosé, popular in the South of France, began to be associated with travel, wealth, and leisure.
Rosé in the 1970s
Its reputation exploded as winemakers scrambled to put out their versions, but then in the 70s as production turned the otherwise fresh, dry wine into something sweeter its reputation faltered. Consumers’ tastes changed and rosé sales spiraled.
What it is today
About 25 years later, rosé started gaining traction in its original style of fresh, dry, refreshing summer wine and it saw a Renaissance yet again. And this time, it shows no signs of stopping. Over the last 10 years rosé has become a reputable wine in the serious wine community while it still holds the title of “vacation wine”. While it could be another trend, we at Twin think, and hope, that rosé is here to stay!
Wine Pairings for Spring
If you’re just discovering wine-pairing and are ready to venture beyond red wine with red meat and white wine with fish, we are here with helpful advice.
Lox with White Bordeaux
Made up of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, White Bordeaux like Chateau Briot or Cap Royal are crisp with great acidity to stand up to the tangy tartness of flavors like capers, while the full mouthfeel complements the weight of the dish!
Lamb Chops with Cabernet
Depending on seasonings, cooking method and fat content, Cabernet can be very verstaile for lamb. If you are roasting a rack, pick a full bodied California or Washington Cabernet or a Red Bordeaux that is Cabernet heavy like a Margaux; the tannins in the wine will balance the fat of the chops.
Lamb Kebabs with Merlot-based Bordeaux
If you are grilling kebabs, which are much leaner, choose a Bordeaux that is merlot based; all the beautiful fruit and weight, but with softer tannins which will complement and not compete!
Champagne with Quiche
Eggs and asparagus are notoriously difficult to pair, so when it comes to quiche go with bubbles! A true Champagne will be rich, yet balanced and have a luxurious mouthfeel complementing the earthy richness of this classic dish. Everything you need to celebrate!
Shop Tequila
Milagro Silver is an estate-grown, 100% blue agave tequila that is renowned for its crisp, fresh, agave taste and world-class smoothness.
Tequila Herradura introduced the first Reposado to the world in 1974, creating an entirely new tequila category.
Our agaves are 100% Blue Weber, aged 7-9 years, from the rich clay soil of the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
