(all photos and recipes courtesy of Maverick Distillery)
Nothing gets the party started like a shot of tequila, or of course a good sip of tequila! By law, to be called “tequila,” it must be made in Mexico. However, over the past few years, agave spirits has become a new category of spirits in the United States, offering distillers outside of Mexico a chance to rival traditional tequila makers. Instead of reaching for tequila, mix it up and opt for these delicious agave spirits made right here in the USA! You might just surprise your tastebuds and discover a new favorite. Purchase the below spirits at select retailers or order online for direct-shipping and toast friends with a Margarita, Paloma, or Mamacita.
Maverick Distilling Agave Blanco & Agave Reposado – ($40 per bottle)Maverick Distilling — a distillery, brewery, tasting room bar and event space located in downtown San Antonio — was the first distillery in the United States approved to produce the new category of spirits known as Agave Spirits. Maverick Distilling created and released a Texas take on tequila in the form of their Samuel Maverick Agave Blanco ($40 per bottle) and Agave Reposado ($75 per bottle), both of which are available online via https://maverickwhiskey.com/spirits/ for shipping to 42 states nationwide. Both Samuel Maverick Agave Blanco and Agave Reposado are distilled from 100% Blue Agave nectar using a hybrid still (pot and column) and bottled in-house at Maverick Distilling.
Maverick Distilling says: We receive the nectar. We do all of the fermentation and distilling at 115 Broadway in San Antonio, Texas. The bottling and aging for our Reposado is done here too.
While produced in the Lone Star State rather than in Mexico, Samuel Maverick Agave Blanco is a perfect spirit for classic Cinco de Mayo cocktails like Margaritas, Ranch Waters, and Palomas as well as delicious to sip on its own. For a spicy drink option, try making the below tasty Samuel Maverick Jalapeno Margarita… or for crafting an Agave Reposado mixed drink, try the below Reposado Old Fashioned cocktail recipe by Maverick Distilling.
Samuel Maverick Agave Blanco
Ingredients: 100% Blue Agave nectar (aka Weber)
Proof: 80
Awards: Silver Medal John Barleycorn 2020, Gold Medal Denver International Spirit Awards 2021
Maverick Distilling was the fist distillery in the USA to be approved to distill Agave Spirits.
Maverick Distilling says: We receive the nectar. We do all of the fermentation and distilling at 115 Broadway in San Antonio, Texas. Obviously the bottling and aging for our Reposado is done here too.
A floral and fruit forward agave spirit distilled from 100% Blue Agave nectar. Agave Blanco is a less traditional take on tequila resulting in a spirit that is more drinkable and accessible to non-tequila drinkers. We call it Agave Spirit because to be called Tequila, by law, it must be distilled in Jalisco, Mexico, and we (Maverick Distilling) distill ours right here at 115 Broadway.
A nose of dry white wine, apple blossom, and white pepper. The palate is reminiscent of green fruit, honeysuckle. Samuel Maverick Agave Blanco was the first U.S. Agave Spirit approved in the new category by the TTB in May of 2020.
The colors on the label are in honor of the flag that flew over the Alamo during the famous battle. The defenders were fighting for the 1824 Mexican Constitution that gave women the right to vote and hold land and Texians the right to self govern.
Drink Recipe:
SAMUEL MAVERICK JALAPEÑO MARGARITA
Step 1: Make Jalapeño infused Agave Blanco:
You’ll need:
2 jalapeños cut in half lengthwise
1 bottle Samuel Maverick Agave Blanco spirit Directions: Combine in a glass jar and let sit, covered at room temperature for 36-48 hours. Strain back into the bottle removing all jalapeños and seeds.
Step 2: Make a Samuel Maverick Jalapeño Margarita:
You’ll need:
3 oz Jalapeño infused Samuel Maverick Agave Blanco
2 oz Homemade orange liqueur or Grand Marnier
1.5 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
½ oz Agave syrup Directions: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Strain over ice into salt rimmed rocks glasses Garnish with fresh sliced jalapeno and lime. This makes two cocktails, because one should never drink a margarita alone.
Large format ice cube Directions: Use a vegetable peeler to peel a strip of orange directly into a rocks glass. Add Reposado, simple syrup, and Chocolate bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir and strain over a large format ice cube in the rocks glass garnished with a cherry and orange peel. Enjoy!
Directions: Use a vegetable peeler to peel a strip of orange directly into a rocks glass. Add Reposado, simple syrup, and Chocolate bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir and strain over a large format ice cube in the rocks glass garnished with a cherry and orange peel. Enjoy!
