How To Fiesta

On Saturday night, May 5 th , The City of La Quinta is hosting a Tequila & Taco fiesta complete with mariachis. Each restaurant along Old Town’s charming Main Street will offer a different tequila tasting and special taco to lure you into a progressive dining experience. Priced at $5 each, you can rack up some tequila expertise, so we’re offering some tasting tips.

Tequila is made from agave plants. A young tequila is about 51% agave and is usually served with salt and lime to cover the harshness. Tequila tasting with premium 100% agave tequilas is like savoring a fine cognac. It is a social tradition to drink tequila in a small shot glass or “caballito” (little horse) because out in the agave fields glasses were in not available. Bull horns with pointy tips were used and since they could not be put down, shots were swallowed and passed to the next person. The custom of drinking tequila in “shots” has lived on.

For the best tasting experience, consider these 5 tips:

• Notice the color of the tequila. Aged tequila has golden, brass, amber or more rare copper hues.
• Capture the aroma. At the “Fiesta”, we’ll use shot glasses but brandy or wine glasses are best when you’re in a serious mood because the stem and shape of the glass makes it an “aroma collector”.
• Swirl the glass to release the aroma and observe the body. Extra-aged tequila will be slower to develop tracks or tears running down the inside of the glass.
• Smell with mouth slightly open. There are basic elements of the spirit’s aroma, dominant notes of the bouquet, and with concentration, secondary elements such as floral, herbal, wood and spice accents emerge.
• Sip breathing in a little air, swirl over tongue and exhale through nose before swallowing and notice the agave flavor, wood tones and the silky or creamy consistency of aged tequilas.

Tequila is strong and is known for mighty hangovers, so enjoy in moderation and with a designated driver!

Source: tequilaconnection.com

Tequila & Tacos – May 3rd , 6 to 9 pm at 78100 Main Street, Old Town La Quinta at Solano’s, The Grill on Main, Old Town Tavern and Stuft Pizza!