p.i.n.k. tequila

Today our quest brings us to a new tequila that is scheduled to hit the market in the next 6 to 12 months. The p.i.n.k. Spirits Company out of New York, NY already sells a premium Vodka and they have plans to sell Rum, Tequila, Gin, White Whiskey, and Sake. The unique feature of p.i.n.k.'s premium spirits is that they are all infused with flavorless caffeine and guarana, two of the worlds most potent energy enhancing substances.
According to a press release posted online by The Earth Times, p.i.n.k. tequila is the world’s first 80 proof, ultra-premium, imported tequila made from 100%, all estate grown, Blue Weber Agave that is infused with caffeine and guarana. p.i.n.k. tequila is produced and bottled in Guadalajara, Mexico by La Cofradia, apparently one of the most prestigious tequila manufacturers.
The p.i.n.k. Spirits Company was founded in 2006 and is the world’s first producer of ultra-premium caffeine and guarana infused spirits. With no added sugar, color, or carbohydrates, p.i.n.k. spirits can be enjoyed straight or used to create any cocktail.
We look foward to trying this Tequila as soon as it hits the market so we can decide for ourselves if it is really a good combination. Anyone who knows anything about Tequila knows that distilled agave has its own energetic properties. The addition of guarana and cafine will likely take the tequila experience to a different level. Keep your eye out for p.i.n.k. Tequila and when you find it we would recommend fastening your seatbelt. It may take you for a ride!

funny joke

Another stop along our quest today brings us to a joke that we have seen pop up on the internet several times recently. We felt that it was worth sharing with all of you because #1. it is very funny, #2. it is tasteful, #3. it involves tequila. We get tired of seeing all of the negative press and stories that are run about tequila, so when we find a good quality joke, we need to share it.
Here it is..........
Tequila Makes You Fly

A guy is sitting at a bar in a skyscraper restaurant high above the city.

He's slamming tequila left and right. he grabs one, drinks it, goes over to a window and jumps out.

The guy who was sitting next to him couldn't believe that the guy had just done that. He was even more surprised when only ten minutes later, the same guy who jumped, comes walking back into the bar and sits back down next to him completely unscathed.

The astonished guy asks," How did you do that???? I just saw you jump out that window and we're hundreds of feet above the ground!!!"

The jumper responds by slurring, "Well, I don't get it either. I slam a shot of tequila and when I jump out the window, the tequila makes me slow down right before I hit the ground. Watch." He takes a shot, slams it down, goes to the window and jumps out.

The other guy runs to the window and watches as the guy falls until right before the ground, slows down and lands softly on his feet.

A few minutes later, the guy walks back into the bar.

The other guy has to try it too, so he orders a shot of tequila. he drinks it and goes to the window and jumps. As he reaches the bottom, he doesn't slow down at all….SPLAT!!!!!!

The first guy orders another shot of tequila and the bartender says to him,"

You're really an jerk when you drink, Superman.

Ha! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We are not sure who actually wrote this joke, but we found it through "google alerts" on a blog called "Cheese Says".

cachaça - the next tequila???

Today our quest brings us to Brasil. There is an interesting story on the Business Week website about cachaça (pronounced "ka-sha-sa") being the next tequila of the world. It is Brasil's national drink. A liquor fermented and distilled directly from freshly pressed sugar cane. You might think that cachaça would be more likely to become the next rum of the world, but guess again. Due to the current success of tequila around the globe, the Brazilian's are aiming high and making an honest effort to skip right over rum and compete with tequila.
Cachaça as a finished product is sometimes known as "aguardente" (burning water) or "engasga gato"(cat choker)and varies from 76 proof to 96 proof. Caipirinha is the signature drink for cachaça. It is made of half a lime, quartered, and two teaspoons of granulated sugar muddled together, two ounces of cachaça, a splash of club soda, and ice. The cocktail is extremely refreshing and potent, although it doesn't have quite the kick of tequila.
There are thousands of brands of cachaça made in Brazil by small local distillers on up to regional giants such as Cachaça 51, the country's best-selling brand. In the U.S., however,Pitu, the product of a 75-year-old family business from the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, is the top seller.
We have had the pleasure of trying cachaça at a local South American style restaurant. If you are in the mood for rum, it is an amazing alternative made in a country of amazing people. However, we can not imagine that it could become the "next tequila". As all of us tequila lovers know, there is nothing in the world that can replace an amazing glass of Don Julio 1942 or any of the three Corzo varieties. It will be fun to watch the cachaça story though. When it comes to beaches, food, dance & music, and football among other things, Brazil is usually able to give the world community a run for its money.
Get a bottle of cachaça and put it to the test.

happy valentine's day! try agavero tequila

There are two things that Mexico is most famous for. The world's finest tequila and a culture that is known for its love of passion. Today our quest brings us to an amazing bottle of tequila liqueur that we must share as a Valentine's Day treat for all of you. Agavero. This unique blend was created as long ago as the 17th century by Lazaro Gallardo, a well known figure in the history of tequila. He created a distillery in Jalisco called Los Camichines that to this day still produces this unique blend and is also well known for its Gran Centenario brand.
Agavero is a simple blend of either Repasado or Anejo tequila with the essence of Damiana flower. Damiana is a plant that has long been known and sought after for its aphrodesiac qualities. Apparently this liqueur has a neon-green hue and is quite thick and sweet. It is said to taste very good. We recomend that it be consumed during social occcasions and most importantly with intimate friends.
It may be hard to find in the US and abroad but can be ordered directly from Mexico. It is not very expensive, so get a bottle and keep it on the shelf for Valentine's Day or any other occasion when you may want to induce more passion.
We hope you love it!

grilled tequila-lime shrimp

Our quest today takes us into the kitchen and outside to the grill. For those of us who live in places that get cold in the winter, thoughts about cooking outside over a grill bring warmth at a time when we need it most. We found a great recipe for Grilled Tequila-Lime Shrimp on allrecipes.com.
So, if you enjoy shrimp or if you live somewhere that is warm all year long, what are you waiting for? Get the ingredients and grill some shrimp. If you dont care for shrimp, this marinade could be used with anything on the grill.
Enjoy!
Total time for this recipe is: 1 Hr. & 16 minutes
Serves 4 people
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons tequila
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pinch garlic salt
1 pinch ground cumin
ground black pepper to taste
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 (10 inch) wooden skewers
1 large lime, quartered

DIRECTIONS
1. Whisk together the lime juice, tequila, olive oil, garlic salt, cumin, and black pepper in a bowl until well blended. Pour into a large resealable plastic bag; add the shrimp, seal bag and turn to coat evenly. Refrigerate 1 to 4 hours before grilling.
2. Soak skewers at least 30 minutes in water to prevent burning.
3. Preheat outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Lightly oil grill grate, and place about 4 inches from heat source.
4. Drain and discard marinade from shrimp. Thread shrimp onto prepared skewers, 5 to 6 per skewer.
5. Cook, uncovered, on preheated grill until shrimp turn pink, turning once, for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with lime wedges for garnish.

liquor sales growth slowdown predicted

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, the distilled spirits industry is predicting the U.S. revenue from liquor sales to increase 4.6% in 2008. This is a decrease from last year's growth rate. The current weakness in the economy may force people to tighten their budgets for going out. According to The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. revenue rose 5.6% to $18.2 billion in 2007. They expect spirits makers to post $19 billion in revenue in 2008. This is an expected increase of 1.9% in 2008, reaching 185 million cases. In comparison, volume sales advanced 2.4% in 2007.
The current economic slowdown will likely cause consumers to spend less time and money enjoying their favorite restaurants and bars. Such a decrease in consumer spending may slow things down for the industry, but predictions continue to forecast that the spirits industry may still outperform other sectors of the economy. Liquor is often considered a "luxury item" that people will enjoy in the comfort of their own homes, even if they are not going out as much.
The L.A Times article points out that in 2007 tequila was the smallest but fastest-growing segment of the liquor industry, which is dominated by Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Fortune Brands Inc. Apparently, Tequila sales, which made up 15% of the industry total, jumped 10.5% to $1.6 billion in 2007. Let's all hope that this growth will continue. If your bank account is suffering due to the current recession, that doesn't mean you can't continue to enjoy your favorite tequila in the comfort of your own home. Relax, stay at home, enjoy!

jose cuervo launches new marketing campaign

Jose Cuervo has partnered with three-time World Cup participant Alberto Garcia Aspe to launch a groundbreaking campaign boasting Mexican pride. The campaign underscores the Cuervo Tradicional brand's long-standing commitment as an official sponsor of the Mexican National Soccer Team here in the United States, and will concentrate on soccer to deliver a social responsibility message to the multi-generational Mexican consumer.
With the slogan "Mexico, You Always Have It On," Jose Cuervo Tradicional positions its brand at the forefront of Mexican national identity and at the center of its passion for soccer. This landmark campaign is a completely new approach for the brand. The innate pride of the Mexican culture is the driving concept behind this innovative campaign.To communicate its message, Jose Cuervo Tradicional has engaged Alberto Garcia Aspe, one of the best players in the history of Mexican soccer, to act as the official spokesperson. Alberto is quoted saying "I am proud to join an effort that centers on the values of our culture". "Wearing the jersey means representing your culture with dignity and honor. As a soccer player and team captain I always tried to be a role model on and off the field. Now my goal is to motivate the fans and remind them that, to us, living life responsibly is not an option, it is a tradition."
The first phase of the launch is scheduled to begin this month and coincides with the USA-Mexico match taking place in Houston, Texas. Cuervo Tradicional will present its new television spots which will be broadcast by Fox Sports en Espanol, Galavision, Azteca America, ESPN Deportes and the Discovery Network. Recently, these same Jose Cuervo Tradicional social responsibility spots were the first spirits advertising permitted by the Spanish language cable channel Galavision and national cable giant ESPN, breaking new ground for the spirits industry.

*Photo of Alberto Garcia Aspe credited to George Herringshaw

tequila espresso

Our quest has brought us to another amazing cocktail that you must try the next time you would like to be more adventurous with tequila. We came across this trendy idea on the psfk.com website. Created by two old friends, Piers Fawkes and Simon King, psfk is a leader in trend setting and idea generation that has clients such as Coca-Cola, MTV, BMW and Proctor & Gamble.
The drink is simply a mixture of your favorite tequila, a fresh shot of espresso, and ice. It is being referred to as "the new red bull and vodka". psfk.com claims that it is becomming trendy in L.A. these days and can be traced back to a bartender at the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, CA.
The next time you want to enjoy yoru favorite tequila along with a healthy jolt of energy, have a tequila espresso. Just be careful to only have one or two if you don't want to be up all night.
Enjoy!