Bandera Mexicana the authentic way to drink Tequila!

The other day I was sitting on the patio of The Cave Creek Coffee Company, as I do most mornings, drinking my coffee. I was chatting with a few old friends, and as the weather was starting to turn hot, we were discussing tequila. I reminded them that in Mexico Margaritas are for touristas. Mexicans drink either Tequila con Sangrita or Bandera Mexicana (The Mexican Flag). Tequila is served in a block of ice wrapped in a towel. The Tequila is thick and sweet and really gives off a true Agave flavor. This authentic drink is great for those hot lazy days when you want to eat light and sit around the pool taking it easy. Once you’ve tried this you’ll say goodbye to Margaritas forever!

Bandera Mexicana

Mexican Flag

Forget the Margaritas. This is the way to drink tequila.

1 shot tequila reposado

1 shot sangrita, recipe below

1 shot key lime juice (or one part lime juice and one part Squirt Grapefruit Soda)

Serve in three separate little, baby brandy snifters. Sip a little, talk a little, smile a little. Ahhh . . . Mexico.

Serves 1

Sangrita Mexicana

Because this drink is so popular in Mexico, there are many different recipes. I put this one together by talking to several different bartenders in Guadalajara over a four-day visit. Sure, I got a headache, but that's just me, working hard for you!

Sangrita:

1 1/2 cups tomato juice

1/2 cup clamato juice (very popular in Mexico)

3/4 cup orange juice

Juice of 4 key limes

2 teaspoons grenadine

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Dash Worcestershire sauce

Dash A-1 steak sauce (yes, A-1; they love the stuff)

Dash Tabasco

Premium quality tequila reposado

16 key lime wedges

Stir together all sangrita ingredients. You will need two 3-inch tall brandy snifters per serving. Fill one half full of sangrita and the other half full of tequila (about 1 shot in each) and top each with a wedge of lime. Sip a little tequila, sip a little sangrita, and now and then, take a little bite of the lime wedge. Oh, and one more thing, slow down a little: Life is good.

Serves 6 to 8