A Special Anniversary Drink
As it’s the Magazine’s 20th Anniversary, I needed to think of something special for this edition of Bar None. I thought, what better way to celebrate than ask our Publisher, Mary Hand, what her favorite cocktail is. Her answer is a tequila, straight up. It reflects the Mary I have known over the years; strong, diverse, and very straight to the point. Then this got me thinking about martinis and spirits, shaken, over ice. When I think of a dry martini “shaken, not stirred,” it immediately makes my eyes burn and my face twitch. Of course, there’s no judgment coming from my end, except that the term “puts hair on your chest” is no joke. I spent the weekend realizing there are some great tricks to make your “straight up” more approachable.
I call this method The Coat and Toss.
Starting off with Mary’s favorite: tequila, straight up.
When I think of a great Blanco, what immediately comes to my mind is citrus. Using fresh citrus is key. Mary’s go-to is lime. I made sure to purchase fresh limes that were not under-ripe (too firm) and gave them a good squeeze. I went with 2 tablespoons and made sure to chill before pouring directly into a chilled glass. Before shaking two shots over ice vigorously, make sure to swirl the lime juice in your glass to coat the inside. When you feel confident in your swirl, feel free to toss the remaining juice in the sink with a flick of the wrist, or feel free to keep. Immediately place the glass back in the fridge for a few moments to help chill down quickly. This will ensure all sides of the glass are coated consistently as you sip away.
Another great way to add citrus to your tequila martini is by using a great citrus based cognac. This works with brown and clear spirits. It opens up your options for creativity to dress up your “straight up” cocktail. Using fresh citrus zest as a garnish can really elevate your cocktail. When testing this out, I coated a section of the rim with lime juice and tapped on a mix of salt and lime zest. This is extra work, but there’s nothing like putting a little extra love into your nightcap after a hard day. You’ll appreciate this and so will your taste buds.
Benicia Magazine has been a staple in our community.
Spreading the word of great businesses and history throughout our city. Next time you visit one of our local watering holes, consider raising a glass to toast the Benicia Magazine Team. It has been an absolute pleasure creating and sharing with our beautiful town. Thank you for always reading and can’t wait to share more with this fun media outlet.
