Latest news with #margaritas
Bloomberg
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
Are You Ready for Slushy Summer?
Cheers, everyone! It's Matthew Kronsberg here for Pursuits, and this summer I've decided that, rather than complain about the heat, I'd do something about it. No, I'm not going to migrate northward for a ' coolcation ' or hang ten in a massive wave pool. Instead this is going to be my summer of slush—it should be yours too. For the past few weeks, as New York turned into an open-air pizza oven, I've kept cool with a refreshing round robin of homemade frosé, soft serve and frosty margaritas. I've been testing a pair of countertop contraptions: the new $575 GreenPan Frost, a soft serve ice cream and frozen drink maker, and the $350 Ninja Slushi, which makes only frozen drinks. But it wasn't all colorful beverages and paper umbrellas—I've also faced a daily duel with sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, better known as brain freeze. I tell you this not as a bid for your pity, but only to note that even the cushiest assignments have their hazards.
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Top Blanco Tequilas, According To The Beverage Testing Institute
Blanco Tequila Shots with Lime and Salt Eleven Blanco Tequilas were awarded Gold Medals at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) Tequila Judging. G4 Blanco Tequila was the top-rated Blanco Tequila. Below is a brief background on each of the gold medalists and the official tasting notes on BevTest's Top Blanco Tequilas. Score: 94 - Gold Medal–Exceptional G4 Blanco Tequila is crafted by the Camarena family at El Pandillo distillery. It's fruity and complex, reflecting the terroir of the Jalisco Highlands. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of marinated dates, yams, and white pepper on coconut, followed by flavors of banana toffee, vanilla sugar, and pipe tobacco. This is a terroir-centered Blanco with mouthwatering minerally driven balance, notes of white pepper and exotic citrus.' Score: 92 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Agavales balances mineral tones with citrus freshness. Ideal in margaritas or as a sipping tequila with a slice of lime. The Tequila is crafted at Destiladora del Valle de Tequila (Casa Maestri) using a mix of highland and lowland agave. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of lemongrass, limestone, and spring rain. The palate features black pepper, ruby red grapefruit, and caramelized honey. Impeccably balanced and wildly nuanced, this Blanco boasts generous agave character and refreshing, citrusy minerality - perfect for sipping while juicing limes for your Margarita.' Score: 92 - Gold Medal–Exceptional El Reformador blends notes of spice and cocoa. Produced in Los Altos, it's a bold, robust, and flavorful Tequila, ideal for intense citrus cocktails. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of caramelizing sugar, mole, and golden marshmallow along with flavors of cocoa powder, roasted poblano, and cracked pepper. Warm spicy mole notes and roasted cocoa flavors combine with lemongrass and cracked pepper in an off-the-beaten-path way that will elevate a citrus-driven cocktail.' Score: 92 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Solo Agave is known for a clean, herbaceous profile. Crafted for mixology, its spicy edge makes it ideal in citrus-forward cocktails. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of sweet agave, pineapple, and lime, followed by flavors of pepper, soil, and cumin. This tequila is herbal forward and presents a lot of black pepper, making it an excellent choice for lively margaritas.' A field of Agave tequilana in Jalisco, Mexico. In the background is the famous Tequila Volcano. Score: 92 - Gold Medal–Exceptional This Tequila is produced in Guanajuato, in the southern highlands, and highlights the region's mineral-rich soil. Crisp, citrusy, and herbal, it's a classic blanco for sipping or mixing. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of agave, limestone, and lemon thyme along with flavors of sea salt, dried pineapple, and white pepper. Stony and bright classic Blanco with generous herb and citrus' Score: 92 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Alto Paso offers a vegetal, herbaceous, and spiced bouquet, making it a perfect base for long cocktails or creative Palomas. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of acacia, white pepper, and shiso tea along with flavors of lemon verbena, poblano, and ginger. Warm notes of poblano, corn on the cob, and ginger with generous agave notes make it hard not to sip this on its own while preparing your ginger beer, mineral water, or grapefruit soda to let this shine in a long drink.' Score: 91 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Corralejo Silver is silky and tropical with herbal overtones. It's a smooth and approachable blanco that performs beautifully in Palomas and shots. It's produced in Guanajuato, east of Jalisco. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of herb, roasted pineapple, grilled peppers, and scallions, followed by flavors of powdered sugar on mangoes, dates, and coconut. A silky soft Blanco for sipping shots, and Palomas.' Score: 91 - Gold Medal–Exceptional This high-proof G4 expression offers bold agave and spice at cask strength. Ideal for Tequila enthusiasts who enjoy intensity and purity. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of agave, orange peel, and pickling spices with additional flavors of peppermint, coconut, and tobacco leaf. A bold, pepper-forward tequila balanced with red and tropical fruits that make this very enjoyable to sip on its own.' Score: 91 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Part of Cuervo's premium line, Tradicional Blanco strikes a balance between minerality and sweetness, with a core of roasted agave flavors. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of roasted nuts, peppers, and coconuts with flavors of coconut water, oil, and honeyed figs. Elegant minerally notes complemented by a touch of sweetness while still unmistakably retaining its earthy agave character.' Homemade Spicy Margarita with Limes and Jalapenos Score: 91 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Ocho Plata is a single-estate tequila renowned for showcasing the terroir expression of select regions in the Jalisco Highlands. It's elegant, floral, and spice-laced with stunning balance. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of Castelvetrano olive, white flowers, and fresh-picked herbs, followed by flavors of Ceylon cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and walnut. Floral and elegant blanco with notes of fresh bright spice and white flowers enhancing lemony-grassy agave flavors all with mouthwatering acidity.' Score: 90 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Resting in Napa Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, this pink-hued Blanco Tequila offers floral spice and red fruit notes over a traditional agave core. Unique in both color and flavor. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of agave, barbecue rub, and hard white cheese along with flavors of agave, cinnamon, and raspberry. This Reposado showcases a delicate balance of agave, spices, and a hint of red fruit that would stand out in a sipping application or stirred cocktails.' Score: 90 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Espero Blanco offers a savory, vegetal, and herbaceous character with a distinct mineral backbone. It's structured and dry, ideal for margaritas or neat pours. The BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring 'aromas of agave, cooked poblano, and olives followed by flavors of white pepper, agave, and chalky. A rock-solid Blanco with fruity agave and almond notes that finish with hints of vanilla and white pepper; try it in a margarita or as a shot.' These eleven Tequilas are outstanding. They showcase a classic Blanco herbaceous and vegetal character, accompanied by a range of additional flavors that highlight the contributions of different terroirs and production techniques. All of these Tequilas will work well as a cocktail base and also make excellent sipping Blancos. They are all worth trying, and adding the ones you like to your bar.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Surprising restaurant chain claims the title as America's margarita king
Chili's holds the title of America's margarita king after pulling off ' the best comeback of all time.' Margaritas are the top-selling cocktail in the US, and Chili's sells more than any other restaurant brand nationwide. Last year alone, it sold more than 25 million margaritas. Chief marketing officer (CMO) George Felix revealed its iconic margaritas are an important part of the restaurant chain while speaking with Marketing Dive. The beverages also inspired Chili's to walk on the creative side and create a rom-com short film with Lifetime titled 'I'll Be Home for National Margarita Day.' The movie, starring Taye Diggs and Maria Menounos, premiered less than a week before National Margarita Day in February. Chili's also celebrated its fan-favorite Presidente Margarita by releasing a music video as part of its 'Ride the Dente' campaign with Spire Motorsports. The chain is a frequent Talladega Superspeedway sponsor, and it brought a margarita shaker-shaped mechanical bull to a NASCAR event last month. 'It's fun to see the NASCAR audience really get to experience the true meaning of Ride the 'Dente,' Felix said. 'We think that reaching the NASCAR audience with the country music approach seemed like a great fit.' The CMO hinted the brand is currently thinking of ideas for next year's National Margarita Day, and hopes the Lifetime partnership 'spurs more celebrations of a really important holiday.' Until then, Chili's is busy advertising its Radical 'Rita, a limited-time beverage, and May's margarita of the month. The brand recruited 90s icon Tiffani Thiessen to help promote the newest margarita, available for $6 at participating locations until Saturday. Thiessen rose to fame for her role as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell. 'Everyone knows me from my days on America's favorite '90s sitcom, but what they might not know is that I also love a great margarita — and some of my favorite early memories with my husband were made at Chili's,' she said. 'Chili's really knows how to tap into the spirit of such an iconic decade — one I'm especially fond of — with their Radical 'Rita.' Chili's named its new Radical 'Rita this month's margarita of the month. The drink will be available for $6 until May 31 With May wrapping up, Chili's is expected to name its newest margarita of the month shortly. Chili's margarita boom comes after its stunning earnings hike. The restaurant chain has seen a surge in customers since last year and not followed in the footsteps of competition that's filed for bankruptcy. Chili's is also one of many companies that offer music and free Wi-Fi in restaurants, two things experts claim are fueling the chain's comeback. Its competitors have not been so lucky. Applebee's shuttered nearly 100 locations between 2023 and 2024, with 35 being closed last year. TGI Fridays has been getting slaughtered financially and now has less than 100 US restaurants after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November. These restaurants, along with recent filers Hooters and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, are known for offering fan-favorite drink deals year-round similar to Chili's.
