Beverages: June 2008 Archives
Now that summer is officially here, it's prime time to add some vim to your next get-together with a cocktail your friends will love. Try mixing up a sangrita, a traditional Mexican aperitif. This zippy drink was originally created as a chaser for tequila, to mellow the Mexican liquor's strong fire. These days, this spicy-sweet concoction is popular in many Mexican homes, and can be found in many variations.
Carlos Reyna--owner of Humboldt Park's Mexican restaurant Maiz (a previously featured gem)--has shared his favorite sangrita recipe with Tastybeat. Reyna's customers, family and friends think it's quite delicious. And if you'd like some vigor with your vim, accompany your sangrita with a choice tequila. Danny Passaglai, owner of Di Carlo's Armanetti liquor store at Grand and Western, offers his recommendations for premium tequilas.
Go to Di Carlo's Armanetti and ask for Danny. He's been giving friendly, knowledgeable advice for nearly four decades and enjoys helping you select your spirits.Carlos Reyna's Sangrita Recipe
3/4 cup tomato juice
1 1/2 ounces Worcestershire sauce
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce fresh lime juice
splash *Maggi Seasonings dash of crushed pepper and saltMix all ingredients and serve at room temperature, or chilled in a shot glass alongside tequila.
*Maggi Seasonings is an extremely versatile condiment similar to steak sauce
Sangrita (big batch) -This is a chunkier version
6 medium tomatoes, peeled and seeded
3 oranges, juiced
2 limes, juiced
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. chili pepper (or to taste, but sangritas are typically pretty spicy)
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1) Mix all the ingredients in a blender and whiz until tomatoes and onions are pretty well chopped up.
2) Pour into a shooter glass and sip with tequila.This recipe from www.suite101.com
Sangrita article from April 2007 by Timothy Dzurilla
Danny Passaglai's Tequila Recommendations
Corralejo Reposado - Danny's favorite; a slightly aged tequila that grabs some color from the barrel. This small distillery in Mexico gives their tequila lots of hands-on attention and maintains excellent quality control over their end product. Corralejo Reposado retails for about $30 a bottle.
Zapopan Reposado - Danny's recommendation for mixed drinks; this tequila is a great price, retailing for about $15 a bottle.
Herradura Seleccion - Suprema - A blend of premium tequilas aged for over five years; this high-end tequila is a great but pricey choice. It drinks like a cognac and is meant to be savored. Danny has a bottle waiting just for you, retailing for about $300 a bottle.
Salud!
Di Carlo's Armanetti
515 N. Western Avenue (map)
Chicago
312-226-4600
Hours
Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 11:00am- 6:00pm
