Sunday, September 2, 2007

Tequila and a natural aphrodisiac in a bottle!


Move over oysters, this tequila has got you beat when it comes to my palate. Honestly I've never tried oysters, and I can't say that I ever will, but there was no arm twisting here when it came time to trying this "oh so smooth" tequila. The deep sea glass green bottle, embellished with pressed blue agave leaves, hides a very mysterious golden liquid that was created and designed to awaken inner passion. When I read the description to my husband, he couldn't open the bottle fast enough! In a blink of an eye, he had out the shot glasses and was ready to help me with my review. Wow, I have to admit, it was completely different than my Jose Cuervo. I was not expecting the sweet flavor that went easily down my throat without any wincing or help from salt and citrus. My husband then decided he wanted to try his with coffee and he loved it.

Named after the agave plant, Agavero is an expert blend of anejo and reposado tequilas. These tequilas are aged separately in charred, white oak caskes, then hand-blended with the essence of Damiana flower. This is what makes Agavero smoother than other tequilas. Agavero can be enjoyed neat or chilled with a twist of lime, in hot coffee, passionate cocktails, and of course, the Lover's Margarita. The Damiana flower is a native to the high altitudes of Mexico and known as an aphrodisiac. The two are blended together to create this secret, hand crafted spirit that dates back to 1857.

With an average retail cost of $30 for a 750 ml bottle, Agavero can now be found across the US at many excellent bars, clubs, and restaurants. I would even suggest calling your local liquor store to see if they carry this product.


As I am finishing this review, my husband just entered my office with an iced coffee and Agavero for me. It's Awesome! Sorry ladies, if you have trouble finding it in Massachusettes, my husband might have purchased it all!


Aphrodisiacs in Tequila?????

Yup! Go figure, a man invented this one in 1857

Don't miss the recipe below for the tiramisu by Diane Brown! Chocolate and Agavero! Can't get any better than that!

Aphrodisiacs have been around for centuries, but now they are being blended in spirits. Agavero is the first and only ultra-premium tequila infused with the natural essence of Damiana, a flower renowned for centuries in Mexico as an aphrodisiac. This luscious tequila is named after the blue agave plant from which Agavero is made. Agavero is designed to awaken your inner passion. The fusion of the masculinity of agave and the seductive power of Damiana creates a magical passionate experience unique to Agavero.





The blend of Agavero comes from select 100 percent blue agave añejo and reposado tequilas, each aged separately in charred, white oak casks. The secret ingredient is the essence of natural Damiana, a flower native to the high altitudes of Mexico. T





The essence of the Damiana in Agavero allows it to be a unique spirit that blends well with foods and cocktails. The signature cocktail for summer is the “Aphrodisiac.” The Aphrodisiac is the ideal way to get the summer started off right. While you are sipping on your seductive cocktail, try a seductive dessert as well, the Agavero Tiramisu. The Aphrodisiac and the Agavero Tiramisu were created by seductive food expert and author of “The Seduction Cookbook,” Diane Brown.





Below are the recipes for the seductive summer cocktail and dessert, The Aphrodisiac and The Agavero Tiramisu.





The Aphrodisiac



Makes 1 cocktail







1 ounce Agavero

1 ounce Reposado Tequila

Splash of passion fruit nectar

Splash of pomegranate juice

Fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish



Pour all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake briskly and strain into chilled up glass. Garnish with 5 fresh pomegranate seeds.





Agavero Tiramisu



From the Kitchen of Diane Brown





3 eggs, divided

½ cup sugar

8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 shots espresso

½ cup plus two tablespoons Agavero

24 ladyfingers

4 ounces El Rey Bucare Chocolate

2 tablespoons cocoa nibs



In a mixing bowl with a handheld or stationary mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until eggs lighten in color, about 3 minutes. Add mascarpone, cinnamon and 2 tablespoons Agavero to egg mixture, blending until smooth, about 3 minutes. In a second mixing bowl, beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. Fold egg white mixture into egg yolk mixture.



In a small bowl, mix espresso and remaining Agavero. Dip ladyfingers into the espresso mixture until lightly moistened. Line the bottom of 6 margarita glasses with two ladyfingers each. Spread a layer of mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers, and then shave a thin sprinkling of chocolate over the cheese, using a microplane. Repeat with another layer of two ladyfingers dipped in espresso mixture, a layer of mascarpone and a layer of chocolate shavings.



Cover and refrigerate for 1-3 hours. Garnish with a ½ teaspoon of cocoa nibs on each tiramisu glass. Serve chilled. Makes 6 servings.



Serves 6

Bull Dog Gin


Don’t let the name of this gin fool you. Even though they tried to make it look tough with its studded collar and grayish black bottle, it is more like a lamb in wolf’s (dog’s) clothing. I wasn’t scared a bit. My first indication of this bad boy façade was apparent when I held the bottle up to the light, and noted a slight hint of purple to the glass. I looked it straight in the eye and showed no fear as I twisted off the top. “Not so tough after all” I said to myself while pouring the gin into my glass, I also noted how crystal clear this liquid was. I gave the glass a swirl and a tilt to help create some very impressive legs. The two initial aromas were citrus and juniper that was soon followed by a hint of lavender during the tasting. The gin was smooth and silky with a warm sensation. This gentle dog nibbles more than bites during its finish which was short and warm with a hint of floral.

This product was released in 2006 and retails around $28 for a 750mL bottle.

BULLDOG is A London Dry Gin distilled with juniper, dragon eye, poppy, lotus leaves, lemon, almond, cassia, lavender, orris, licorice, angelica, and coriander.


Try this one out!!!!!



Cherry Bitch Cocktail



6oz Bulldog gin

1 bag black currant tea

3-5 fresh cherries

¾ lime juice

1 oz simple syrup (sugar and water heated together then cooled)

3-4 oz apple juice



In a cocktail glass, muddle cherries. In another glass, infuse the BULLDOG gin with the black currant tea. Then, after removing the tea bag, pour the mixture into the cocktail glass. Add lime juice, simple syrup, and apple juice into the glass, then transfer into an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake generously then strain into ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.


BULLDOG Gin

Don Julio 1942 - Tequila



Upon opening this tequila, there was a scent of sweet vanilla. It has a bold taste and a wonderful long finish.

Widely revered as the best, and currently the most popular selling luxury tequila in Mexico, Tequila Don Julio is the choice for the savvy spirits and cocktail connoisseur. Beginning with the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio González and his personal pursuit of perfection, Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila.

Widely revered as the best, and currently the most popular selling luxury tequila in Mexico, Tequila Don Julio is the choice for the savvy spirits and cocktail connoisseur. Beginning with the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio González and his personal pursuit of perfection, Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. In 1942, at the age of 17, Don Julio González, who spent his youth learning the ancient methods of making mescal wine in underground ovens, founded his first tequila distillery in his hometown of Atotonilco el Alto. In commemoration of Don Julio’s 60th anniversary of producing the highest quality tequila, Tequila Don Julio 1942 was born (image is attached). Using a personal selection of prime agave, Don Julio created this unique batch of tequila aged for at least two and a half years in American white oak barrels. Adding even more to its exclusivity, Tequila Don Julio 1942 is made with the distillate in Pot Still 6, which produces only three barrels per cycle.



Tequila Don Julio Real was one of the first tequilas to be designated as an extra añejo, or extra aged (at least three years), by the Tequila Regulatory Council (bottle image attached). This varietal is one that Enrique de Colsa, Master Distiller, also holds dear to his heart. As a tribute to his Mexican heritage, he presents a bottle of Tequila Don Julio Real to his close friends’ first sons with a special note that reads: “I’m giving you this present. Keep it and promise me that you will drink this with your son when his own first son is born.” This tradition, inspired by a special gift he received when his first son was born, now has an even greater meaning for de Colsa as he dedicates himself to preserving the authenticity and superior quality of the tequila renowned as the best throughout Mexico – Tequila Don Julio.

Herradura Silver Tequila



I love to serve Margaritas and this past 4th of July I treated guests to my margaritas made with Herradura Silver Tequila. It was a hit! Friends could taste the difference, but they could not put their finger on it. I informed them that they might be tasting a little extra woody flavor in the tequila due to the fact that it is the only silver tequila aged for 40 days in oak barrels. They all raised their eyebrows, then their glasses… “To Oak Barrels”… “To Tequila”… “To Friends”

Located and produced in the tiny town of Amatitan, just outside of Guadalajara, Tequila Herradura is 100 percent blue agave, all natural, estate grown and estate bottled. Tequila Herradura is made from the finest blue agave, with unrivaled patience and meticulous care. The result is a deeply complex flavor. Founded by Ambrosio Rosales and Aurelio Lopez in 1870. Today, Tequila Herradura is one of the largest holders of barrels in all of Mexico and one of the leading marketers of aged tequilas in the world.

The new Herradura Pear cocktail has been a longtime favorite on the beaches of Mexico and its popularity is spreading to the U.S. The simple, delicious drink combines sweet fruit nectar, tart lime juice and rich tequila for a one-of-a-kind burst of flavor that is sure to relax and refresh anyone on a warm summer day.

Ingredients


1.5 ounces Herradura Silver
3 ounces Pear Nectar
1 ounce Peach Nectar
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Cup of crushed ice

Fill the cocktail glass with crushed ice and add the Herradura Silver tequila, followed by the pear nectar and peach nectar. Squeeze the juice from a fresh lime and stir. Add a pear slice for garnish.

Herradura Silver Tequila

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