The Smokier Side Of The Margarita

The Smokier Side Of The Margarita
Brian Quinn•

At Austin, Texas, restaurant La Condesa, the margarita is made with a tobacco-leaf-infused reposado tequila, imparting notes of cedar, spice and pepper to the cocktail. Grilled pineapple and lemon keep this robust flavor in check with their natural sweetness and accent of bright citrus — though the bartenders leave the char from the fire on the pineapple when juicing it to add an umami component to the drink as well. A vanilla-infused Spanish brandy helps to round out the tequila and also add a bit of complexity.

It takes a lot of prep work to make a drink like this and keep it balanced, including the very important consideration of not letting the tobacco over-infuse the spirit (and the delicate timing of this process). Warning: If over-infused, the nicotine in the spirit used in a cocktail may make the drinker feel ill. However, by applying the right culinary techniques and constantly perfecting the ingredients, the Cúbico cocktail is an incredible example of how far one can take a drink like the margarita. It may be best to leave these drinks to the professionals, but the recipes for the margarita and the Cúbico are here to satisfy your curiosity. Enjoy!

Classic Margarita CocktailIngredients1 1/2 ounces Espolón Blanco Tequila1 ounce Cointreau1/2 ounce fresh lime juiceDirections

  • Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

    • El Cúbico CocktailIngredients

    1 1/2 ounces tobacco-infused Cazadores Reposado Tequila*

    3/4 ounce vanilla-infused Spanish brandy

    1 ounce fresh lemon juice

    3/4 ounce grilled pineapple nectar

    1/4 ounce organic agave nectar

    Directions

  • Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Pour contents over ice in a snifter glass rimmed with a house-made saffron and volcanic rock salt.
  • Garnish with a mist of smoky mezcal essence on top of the drink.

    • *To make the tobacco-infused Cazadores Reposado Tequila:

  • Combine 4 grams of ligero tobacco leaves with a 750 ml bottle of Cazadores Reposado.
  • Set a timer to soak the tobacco leaves in the tequila for no more than 4 hours. It is critical that the tobacco does not over-infuse. The nicotine can concentrate in the tequila, potentially causing health concerns.

    • Read more about tequila on Food Republic:

  • You've Heard About Slow Food. Get Ready For Slow Tequila.
  • Infographic: All Sorts Of Facts About Tequila That Will Help You Drink Smarter
  • Tequila's Little Secret: With 1,000 Brands, It Might All Just Be The Same Stuff
  • Traveling The Tequila Trail

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