Tequila is a Mexican liquor distilled from the fermented juices obtained from the hearts of blue agave plants grown in the Tequila Region. The liquor gets its name from the town of Tequila located in the state of Jalisco where production started more than 200 years ago.
The blue agave has long bluish green spiny leaves with sharp points and a large heart (called piña or pineapple) from which the juices are extracted and then distilled twice. Tequila is not distilled from pulque nor is it produced from any cactus.
MYTHS ABOUT TEQUILA
Tequila comes from the distillation of «pulque».
WRONG. Pulque comes from the fermentation of the sugary sap «aguamiel» obtained from the maguey or Century Plant (which is botanically related to the agave plant). Pulque is fine but it has nothing to do with tequila.
Tequila and mezcal are made from a cactus.
WRONG. Cactus plants grow in the desert and are of a different genus than the agave. There is no known liquor obtained from the cactus.
Mezcal contains mescaline.
WRONG. Neither tequila nor mezcal contains any mescaline or alkaloids at all. However, peyote (a variety of Cactus) contains mescaline, an alkaloid that produces hallucinations.
The worm is part of the tequila or mezcal process.
This is a nice legend, but not true at all. The worm is placed in some mezcal bottles as a marketing gig. However the maguey grows worms that are a delicacy in Mexico fetching astronomical prices at luxury restaurants. The best known are “Gusanos de Maguey” and “Chinicuiles”.
Tequila has medicinal properties.
There is no scientific evidence about any medicinal properties of neither the agave plant, mescal nor tequila.
However if you drink a “caballito” every day, it will make you a happier person.
KINDS OF TEQUILA
Tequila 100% Agave. Must be made with 100% blue agave juices and must be bottled at the distillery in Mexico. It may be Blanco, Reposado, or Añejo.
Tequila. Must be made with at least 51% blue agave juices. This tequila may be exported in bulk to be bottled in other countries following the NOM standard. It may be Blanco, Gold, Reposado, or Añejo
This is the traditional tequila that started it all. Clear and transparent, fresh from the still tequila is called Blanco (white or silver) and must be bottled immediately after the distillation process. It has the true bouquet and flavor of the blue agave. It is usually strong and is traditionally enjoyed in a "caballito" (2 oz small glass).
It is Blanco that has been kept (or rested) in white oak casks or vats called "pipones" for more than two months and up to one year. The oak barrels give Reposado a mellowed taste, pleasing bouquet, and its pale color. Reposado keeps the blue agave taste and is gentler to the palate. These tequilas have experienced exponential demand and high prices.
Añejo or Aged
It is Blanco tequila aged in white oak casks for more than a year. Maximum capacity of the casks should not exceed 600 liters (159 gallons). The amber color and woody flavor are picked up from the oak, and the oxidation that takes place through the porous wood develops the unique bouquet and taste.
Reserva
Although not a category in itself, it is a special Añejo that certain distillers keep in oak casks for up to 8 years. Reserva enters the big leagues of liquor both in taste and in price.
HOUSE MARGARITA 5.50
CUERVO GOLD MARGARITA 6.25
RASPBERRY or BLUE MARGARITA 6.25
FROZEN POMEGRANATE & WATERMELON MARGARITA
Our house specialty! We even add a Cuervo floater! 5.50
JOLLY RANCHER… house frozen & a watermelon schnapps floater. 6.75
(above margaritas are pre-made - 1 1/2 oz tequila, 1/2 oz triple sec & a Cuervo floater
!! SPECIALTY HAND-MIXED MARGARITAS !!
HORNITOS aged 1 year; makes a terrific Margarita 7.95
HERRADURA top tequila, its gold color achieved with natural aging 9.50
MILAGRO ‘SILVER COIN’ triple distilled for unparalleled smoothness—
complimented with Cointreau 10.95
CONMEMORATIVO good value & smooth, mellow flavor 7.50
THE ’ULTIMATE’ MARGARITA
1 shot Corazon Anejo, 1/2 shot Grand Marnier, 1/2 shot of freshly
squeezed lime juice & a teaspoon of Agave nectar.
Be prepared—this is a true traditional Margarita with true lime flavor 18.50
ISLAND OASIS FROZEN FUN
MARGARITAS, DAQUIRIES & CREAMSICLES
W/ Alcohol 6.75 Virgin 4.00
Lime
Strawberry
Raspberry
Mango
Peach
Pina Colada
CAIPIRINHA
Brazilian cocktail made from cachaca (a Brazilian rum made from pure cane sugar), limes, sugar and ice. A characteristic drink of Brazil, its simplicity and tangy sweetness have made it popular all over the world and is considered by the IBA to be one of the 50 greatest drinks of all time! 6.50
EL TESORO 10.00 HERRADURA 7.50 PATRON 12.95
DON EDUORDO 11.75 CUERVO 1800 SILVER 7.00 MILAGRO 10.00
CESAR MONTERREY 7.75 DON JULIO 11.25 CORAZON 11.00
CUERVO TRADICIONAL 6.75 HERRADURA REPOSADO 8.25
HORNITOS 6.95 CONQUISTADOR 8.75 EL TESORO 10.00
MILAGRO 10.75 PATRON GOLD 13.00
CABO WABO
Sammy Hagar’s tequila—natural in color, redolent with earth, smoke & caramel;
butter, toast and vanilla flavors swirl around strong agave. Beautifully balanced.
Playboy magazine rates this in the top 5! 14.50
CORAZON REPOSADO
Aged 1 year, with a depth & fullness usually found in fine cognac & single
malt scotch; medium-bodied; clean with subtle cedar & agave notes; complex
layering of dried fruit, & caramel; toasty aroma with a creamy finish. 12.50
ESPOLON
award winning; connoisseur's favorite; smooth; natural hints of vanilla,
butterscotch & ripened agave 12.50
EL TESORO
produced by hand; aged in oak Bourbon barrels 12.00
HERRADURA
aromas of brown spices & vanilla; amazing oak presence; smooth &
creamy mouth-feel; house favorite! 11.50
DON EDUORDO
agave, dried herbs & sandalwood; spicy aroma 13.25
DON JULIO
earthy agave; pepper, citrus, caramel and butterscotch 11.75
SAUZA TRES GENERACIONES
bull rush attack marked by heat & oak. Sweet & creamy pepper,
oak & agave followed by fruit & floral notes 10.75
CORAZON
aged in Canadian oak barrels 2 years; extremely smooth sipping tequila with
rich complexity; hints of vanilla, almond & spice. 15.50
PATRON
fresh agave balances well with light oak aromas; warming , smooth
vanilla quality and nice peppery bite; very smooth finish. Excellent! 14.00
MILAGRO
aged in single oak for 18 months, doesn’t get much better 12.00
CUERVO RESERVA DE FAMILIA
One of Cuervo’s best; intense agave; caramel, pepper & oak aromas. Slightly sweet &
full in the mouth. Flavors of sweet caramel and agave burst into a long, smooth
finish of caramel and smoke, reminiscent of a single malt scotch. 25.00
!TEQUILA SAMPLERS!
A truly educational & fun tequila experience—4 demi-shot selection of tequilas
“THE PURIST” Select 4 silver tequilas $12
“BETTER THAN GOLD” Select 4 Reposado tequilas $13
”GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME” Select 4 Anejo tequilas $16
“BLUE PLATE SPECIAL” Select 2 silver, 1 Reposado & 1 Anejo tequila $14
Margarita - a wonderful beverage with a balance of sweet and sour - sort of like an adult version of lemonade!
Margaritas date back to a time when not all tequilas were produced with as much care as they are today. The margarita made tequila palateable!
Even though tequila is now made with such care as to lend itself to thoughtful sipping, the margarita still stands as one of the more popular cantina offerings.
Don't be fooled by the 'true' margarita which is actually made with 3 ingredients only - tequila, triple sec and pure lime juice. However, the states have modified the margarita because we don't have the same kind of limes as Mexico. The limes of Mexico are much sweeter than the states and therefore, produce a perfect margarita. Simple syrup is used in the states along with lime juice to cut the tart and get the perfect balance of sweet and sour! Enjoy!
DRAFT BEER
LONG TRAIL ALE 4.25
DOS EQUIS AMBER 4.25
CANDELEROS 5th TAP (Ask your server) 4.95
SWITCHBACK 4.50
LITE BEER SELECTION 2.75
BOTTLED BEER
Corona Extra Corona Light
Pacifico Dos Equis Lager Dos Equis Amber Tecate Negra Modelo (dark)
Amstel Light Heineken Smithwicks Sam Adams Wolaver’s Organic IPA
Kaliber (na) - above bottles are 3.95
Budweiser Coors Light Michelob Ultra $2.75
!RED SANGRIA!
blend of burgundy, tequila, triple sec, a splash of orange juice
& fresh lime juice with a splash of sprite. Refreshing & fun!
Glass 4.95 Pitcher 20.00
House Wine by the Glass $4.95
CHARDONNAY MERLOT WHITE ZINFANDEL
WHITE WINE
STELLA PINOT GRIGIO (Italy) 5.25 glass 21.00 bottle
A fine example of a true Pinot Grigio; vibrant on the palate with
fresh fruit & balanced acidity; light and refreshing
KNIFE & FORK CHARDONNAY (Australia) 6.00 glass 24.00 bottle
Fresh lemon-lime flavors, some peach & melon, a hint of vanilla oak & a
soft lingering palate; great with grilled fish and chicken
VERAMONTE SAUVIGNON BLANC (Chile) 6.75 glass
27.50 bottle
Ripe grapefruit aromas show freshness & fruit; fresh citrus flavors are
snappy & tart with a surprisingly long finish; pairs well w/ poultry, pork & fish
RED WINE
CONCHA y TORO CARMENERE (Chile) 5.50 glass 24.00 Bottle
Carmenere is a close but distinctly different relative of merlot;
smooth, food-friendly, intensely colored & fruity
14 HANDS CABERNET (Washington) 6.50 glass 26.00 Bottle
Lively with aromas of berries, cherries & toast; cherries & spice on the palate;
soft, round tannins create a lingering finish
RED DIAMOND MERLOT (Washington) 6.25
glass 25.50 Bottle
brought to life with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and
Cabernet Franc for its fruity characteristics; fun & easy to drink; well balanced
INDIGO HILLS PINOT NOIR (California) 6.75 glass 27.50 Bottle
Elegant ripe berry with subtle oak notes & a silky finish.
Great with steak & chicken
LOS CARDOS (Argentina) 5.50 glass 24.00 Bottle
We recommend this wonderful Malbec; goes beautifully
with most menu selections; aromatic & flavorful
CAMPO VIEJO RIOJA (Spain) 6.75
glass 27. 50 Bottle
Mostly old vines & 75% tempranillo; aged two years, this red is soft &
fruit forward; well balanced and well suited to pork, steak & cheese.
