MontgomeryCountySpirits-2018-Q2 - 22

two months and one year in oak barrels, while añejo
(aged) tequilas spend one to three years in oak. Extra
añejo tequila is aged at least three years.
Technically any spirit distilled from agave is a
mezcal. But in the U.S. when we think about mezcal,
we're typically talking about spirits distilled in Oaxaca,
often from the maguey agave and usually presenting
a smoky, earthy flavor derived from the agave piñas
being roasted underground prior to being fermented
and distilled (comparable to the way malted barley is
dried over peat fires to produce smoky Islay scotches).
Essentially, tequila is to mezcal as bourbon is to
whiskey as cognac is to brandy.
Like any category of spirit, even middling mezcal

CLASSIC MARGARITA
1 ½ oz. tequila
¾ oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao (or other triple
sec)
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. turbinado syrup

Run the cut side of a lime around the rim of a rocks
glass and roll gently in coarse sea salt. Add fresh
cold ice cubes.
Measure ingredients into a shaker and fill with ice.
Shake vigorously (~30x) and strain over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

can dress itself up with cocktail craft to become something special.
Mezcal the good stuff is more akin to small-batch

MARGARITA MÁS AVENTUROSA

single malts than something you'd pour from a cracked

1 ½ oz. mezcal

earthenware jug marked XXXX. The bottom rung of

¾ oz. Grand Marnier

what's worthwhile starts at $50 per bottle and vaults

½ oz. lime juice

freely up the ladder as high as you'll follow. Earthy

½ oz. turbinado syrup

and smoky and smooth as liquid silver running down a
desert arroyo, a good single-village mezcal is an asset
to any respectable bar collection.

DON'T FORGET THE PREAKNESS!
The 143rd Preakness Stakes is coming up on May

Run the cut side of a lime around the rim of a rocks
glass and roll gently in coarse sea salt. Add fresh
cold ice cubes.
Measure ingredients into a shaker and fill with ice.
Shake vigorously (~30x) and strain over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

19 in Baltimore. Whether you're attending or just
watching from home, be sure to accompany your
Preakness celebration with the race's official drink
the Black-Eyed Susan, from the Preakness
website.
* 1 part Makers Mark Bourbon
* 1 part DeKuyper Peachtree
* 1 part Effen Vodka
* 2 parts orange juice
* 2 parts sour mix

ULTIMA VOZ
¾ oz. Vida mezcal
¾ oz. Yellow Chartreuse
¾ oz. Luxardo Maraschino
¾ oz. fresh lime juice

Measure ingredients into a shaker and fill with ice.

Shake with ice and strain into glass over fresh-

Shake vigorously and fine-strain into a chilled
coupe.

crushed ice. Garnish with an orange and cherry.

No garnish.

BE SAFE!
Whatever the context of your spring and summer
gatherings, remember the guidelines for wise
consumption and behavior:
* Encourage designated drivers.
* Provide a key stash so inebriated guests won't
drive.
* Keep cab and other ride contact numbers handy.
* Always provide plenty of food, water and nonalcoholic beverages. ♦

22 MONTGOMERY COUNTY DLC

BLOOD MERIDIAN
1 oz. Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal (agave-sweetened mezcal)
1 oz. Plymouth sloe gin
1 oz. Sierra Morena palido sherry (substitute fino
or other dry sherry)
2 dashes Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters
dash Angostura

Stir and strain into a chilled coupe. Express a
lemon peel over the surface and discard.
MontgomeryCountySpirits-2018-Q2

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