TALK DRINKS

Memorias de Japon (Part 1)

The last time I went to Japan even though I went in a business capacity, the Japanese made sure that I had the best food and the best experiences of their culture and traditions. In Japan you will find different and unique ingredients like powdered seaweed, different kinds of Japanese salts, and of course unique local fruits. I tried a liqueur made from star fruit which was very. I found a Hermes green tea liqueur which was great, and so was the Hermes bitters. Among all the interesting spirits I tried, another that stood out was the Violette liqueur. These are the liqueurs that created a memory for me but what created a lasting impact for the Japanese were Partida  Tequila, Leblon Cachaca and St. Germain elderflower liqueur. They were the stars during the ten days I was in Japan.

Tequila, Misunderstood

I have this very funny postcard on my fridge about Tequila, which perfectly illustrates  how Tequila as a very misunderstood spirit. Although 100% Agave is making great strides in hanging with the best spirits in the world due to some very good Tequila Distillers like Partida, El Tesoro or Herradura, most people still have this idea Tequila.

If any of you have any fun facts, stories or pictures with your experiences in the world of Tequila, please post them at Talkdrinks.com so we can all share our experiences in the wonderful world of Tequila! Salud - Jacques

Martinique, A Caribbean Paradise

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Caribbean island of Martinique, where beauty, culture and nature blend together to make many great and unique Rums. I had the privileged of experiencing the local cuisine and past times such as, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. During my stay, I was able to visit many plantations such as a banana plantation, which is one of the main sources of income for the local economy. My visits also included a pineapple plantation and sugar cane fields. Most of the sugar cane goes into making the signature spirit of the Caribbean, Rum.

Tips on how to buy great Tequila

Tequila has gotten a bad reputation over the years, but there are many high quality Tequilas that set a standard for the rest, such as Partida. But how do we separate the good stuff from the bad? We start by examining the bottle closely and looking for the following clues.

-  100% Puro de Agave
-  “Hecho en Mexico” or Made in Mexico
-  Type of Tequila: Blanco, Joven, Reposado, Anejo or Super Anejo
-  Nom or Number: This is the address of the distillery and how you can track who makes your favorite Tequila, for example Partida Tequila’s Nom is 1454.
(Note: There are two categories of Tequila, 100% Agave and Mixtos)

More about Mixology

Mixology, like cooking, is the harmony and understanding of flavors, the right amount of each ingredient, and having the passion, patience and dedication to make or create a great cocktail.  Your goal is to make an impression on every guest that comes in, creating a new experience and making a memorable time.  Mixology is the art of harmoniously blending different flavors to create a well-balanced drink that represents your creativity, understanding of ingredients, culture and knowledge of flavor profiles.

How To Use Herbs

Herbs are used everyday in kitchens around the world, but most people don’t know they are also used behind bars.  Herbs have always played a big role in the spirits industry because many classic liquors are infused with herbs, roots, flowers, barks, etc.  There are thousands of herbs that all vary physically, with their aroma, texture, taste and from region to region. Herbs adapt to their environment and evolve to become unique to that region. Terroir is a big factor in how we develop our taste for herbs, spices and fruits from certain regions.  Terroir makes all the difference when producing a great Tequila like Partida. 

Florence, The home of the Negroni Cocktail

The Negroni has long been one of my favorite cocktails, up there with the Margarita, Manhattan & Martini. So I was extremely excited to find myself in Florence recently, on the hunt for the Negroni and a little piece of its history. The Negroni was invented in Florence, Italy circa 1920. It was reported that a Count Camillo wanted his Americano’s (Campari, Sweet Vermouth & soda) with a little extra kick. So he asked for it without the soda and with a measure of Gin & Voila the Negroni was born. The drink became so popular that people where asking for the aperitivo, the “Negroni” way.