Kerr - Viva Margarita

To Michael Wayne McLaughlin. Dear friend, brilliant collaborator, perfectly worded co-author, food genius of our generation, and just about one of the best BBQ buddies in the world. We all miss you, especially me. Michael, this ones for you.

First, a huge thank you and hats off to Mittie Helmich for her tremendous vision, excellent taste, sense of humor, and her ability to mix up the perfect and most delicious cocktails for this book. M3, your mixology will keep us in the pink for years! The compelling photography is by San Franciscan Leigh Beisch, assisted by Angelica Arriaga. Snappy props directed by Sara Slavin, and the killer food styling by the rockin Dan Becker. Book concept by the eminent West coast designers, Michael Mabry and Peter Soe Jr., both of Michael Mabry Design, Emeryville, California. Sarah Griffin Villarreal at El Paso Chile Company. Carolyn Coughlins yummy culinary contributions. Special thanks to Beth at Present Past for lending us some of her treasures as props. The entire Chronicle Books team: Ben Shaykin, Amy Treadwell, Jan Hughes, Doug Ogan, Erik Sandall, and Beth Steiner. Lastly, to Bill LeBlond, an editor with style, vision, and taste. He is the the perfect model for what a cool guy looks like (and acts like) when he grows up! To all the above team, I thank you from the bottom of my heart (and glass) for all that you have done to make this tasty project all that it can be.

W. Park Kerr

Text copyright 2003 by
The El Paso Chile Company.

Photographs copyright 2003
by Leigh Beisch.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-4521-3306-5

The Library of Congress has previously cataloged this title under:

Kerr, W. Park.

Viva margarita / by W. Park Kerr ; photographs by Leigh Beisch.

p. cm.
ISBN 0-8118-4034-4 (hardcover)
1. Margaritas.
2. Tequila. I. Title.

TX951 .K3526 2003
641.8'74--dc21

2002151472

Designed by Michael Mabry
Prop styling by Sara Slavin
Food styling by Dan Becker
Photo assistant: Angelica Arriaga

The photographer wishes to
thank Beth at Present Past,
and Neiman Marcus for their
generous lending of props.

Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, California 94107

www.chroniclebooks.com

Grand Marnier is a registered trademark of Societe des Produits Marnier-Lapostolle, Chambord is a registered trademark of Chatam International nc., Maraska marachino liqueur is a trademark of Western Food and Beverages, Inc., Tuaca liqueur is a registered trademark of Distillerie Tuoni and Canepa S.P.A., Harlequin orange liqueur is a registered trademark of Kentucky Brands of California, Inc., Tabasco is a registered trademark of Mcilhenny Co., Sprite and Fresca are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Co., Cointreau is a registered trademark of Contreau Corp., Damiana liqueur is a registered trademark of Damiana Importing, Inc., Calvados is a registered trademark of Calvados Boulard, Galliano liqueur is a registered trademark of Remy Finance B.V., Martinellis sparkling apple-cranberry cider is a registered trademark of S. Martinelli and Co., Campari is a registered trademark of Davide Campari Milano S.P.A., Midori liqueur is a registered trademark of Suntory Limited, 99 Bananas liqueur is a registered trademark of Barton Brands, Ltd., Alize is a registered trademark of Tradewinds Importing Co., Inc., Godiva chocolate liqueur is a registered trademark of Godiva Brands, Inc., San Pellegrino Aranciata is a registered trademark of San pellegrino S.P.A., Orangina is a registered trademark of Yoo-Hoo of Florida Corp., Kahla is a registered trademark of The Kahlua Co., Baileys Irish Cream is a registered trademark of R&A Bailey & Co., Limited, Frangelico is a registered trademark of Giorgio Barbero and Figli, S.P.A., Metaxa is a registered trademark of Indivined, B.V., Drambuie is a registered trademark of The Drambuie Liqueur Co., Ltd., Ibarra chocolate is a registered trademark of Chocolatera de Jalisco, S.A. DE C.V., Corona is a registered trademark of Cerveceria Modelo S.A. DE C.V., Chartreuse is a registered trademark of Chartreuse Corp., Demerara rum is a registered trademark of Demerara Distillers Ltd., Velveeta cheese is a registered trademark of Kraft Foods Holdings Inc. Lone Star beer is a registered trademark of Pabst Brewing Co.

The margaritathe drink thats a lifestyle!

Its all about a fun-loving exuberance for all things feisty, spicy, and good in life. This lively libation fuels our passion for celebrations with fire and soul, and for me, that means creating lots of great frosty and potent south-of-the-border elixirs and delicious tequila-boosted spicy-hot party dishesall in one life-affirming ongoing fiesta!

Theres a subtle seduction to Seorita Margarita that inspires an endless quest for yet another fabulous concoction beginning with tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice. (And besides, someones got to do it!) Evolving from that primitive, macho, fiery cactus water thats slammed back with a bit of salt and lime (dont get me wrongthat libation still has a special allure all its own) is a whole new collection of Uber-ritas, ultimate margarita cocktails tweaked and gilded with lusciousness into a whole new deluxe strata. And yes, weve taken a few liberties, pushing the mixological envelope beyond the margarita; after all, all you need for a start is a bottle of tequila and some ice and the mind reels with the possibilities.

And, never being one to limit the great magic of tequila just to the glass, I made sure it found its way into a fired-up patio party menu of spicy, savory dishes and a wondrously delicious dessert. Some are subtly kissed with a touch of tequila fire, and some go as far as to enjoy all the fragrant, citrusy attributes of a good margarita.

For a quick little Tequila 101: You can trace the margaritas roots straight to the blue agave plant. The heart of the agave is distilled into tequila and refined to produce many distinctive styles and varying degrees of quality, from the freshly distilled and fiery blanco (white) or plata (silver), and the young but smooth gold, to the rested and mellow reposado and the ultra-smooth aged and sippable aejo. Whatever your reference, you can always count on having the absolute best agave experience sipping a tequila cocktail made with 100 percent agave tequila; the premium quality is guaranteed, so look for it on the label.

The margaritas beauty and allure is steeped in mystery. In my own version of the history of the margarita, it probably was born in Jalisco, Mexico, where tequila is made, and where they have been serving up tequila with fresh lime juice and salt for eons. Around the late 1940s, when all things Latin were heating up on this side of the border, and tequila was the hot new liquor on the cocktail scene, the margarita appeared in the States.

As one story goes, a brilliant bartender substituted tequila and lime juice for the brandy and lemon juice in the classic and wildly popular sidecarto push the new liquorand the margarita was born.