This post is sponsored by Casa Noble Tequila.
Is your Cinco de Mayo menu all set and ready to go? Well, if it isn’t, today I’ve partnered with Casa Noble tequila and am bringing you three great recipes inspired by the intense flavors of Mexico. But first, let’s talk tequila! Made from the blue agave plant, Casa Noble harvests the plant when it’s mature at 14 years of age, unlike other tequila brands that harvest the agave at around five to seven years. With a more mature plant, a balance of the sugar and water content is what Casa Noble is looking for. Harvested by hand, every step of the process is carefully monitored to achieve the perfect tequila. It’s our dream to one day visit the agave farms and production facilities of Casa Noble and learn directly from the farmers and producers, how cool would that be!? Also, Casa Noble is single-estate grown, USDA organic certified, and come in handblown crafted bottles!
Casa Noble Tasting Notes
- Tequila Crystal: un-aged silver tequila, it’s buttery to the palate with an undertone of citrus, which paired well with the guacamole below because it had lemon in the recipe!
- Tequila Reposado: aged 364 days in French White Oak barrels, this tequila is herbaceous and woodsy, with notes of caramel and vanilla thanks to the aging in the oak barrels.
- Tequila Anejo: 14 years to produce, aged in French White Oak barrels, this tequila is peppery and nutty, and can almostbe compared to a whiskey; great to sip on it’s own, it’s a pleasure in the glass.
Cilantro Berry Spritzer
If you’re like me, you might not be a big drinker but enjoy a drink or two on the weekends. All the salty margaritas made with that fake mix that doesn’t even taste like real limes? Not for me! Today we’re making an herbaceous drink filled with fresh fruit, organic simple syrup, and of course – Casa Noble tequila! The Anejo tequila really rounds out the flavor of the herb and berries, which we loved. Oh and do you hate salt-rimmed glasses? Just dip your glasses in simple syrup and then in sugar sprinkled with your favorite pepper. A mixture of vanilla sugar and Aleppo pepper rimmed my Cinco de Mayo flutes, making it sweet and spicy. Am I crazy muddling cilantro with berries? NO! The fresh cilantro brings out some great flavor tones and balances out the sweet berries.
An herbaceous, sweet, and tart drink perfect not only for Cinco de Mayo, but for any hot summer day!
Ingredients
- 10 fresh diced strawberries
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup berry simple syrup
- 4 ounces Casa Noble Reposado Tequila
- 12 ounces lime seltzer
Instructions
- Muddle strawberries, cilantro, and berry simple syrup.
- Drop 2 tablespoon of mixture into fluted and sugar-rimmed glasses.
- To serve: add approximately one ounce tequila and top with three ounces of lime seltzer (depending on how strong you'd like you drinks). Salud!
Notes
For the berry simple syrup, I used Royal Rose NY Raspberry Syrup. For the seltzer, my preferred brand is Polar Seltzer.
Chunky Avocado Cheddar Guacamole
Inspired by the queen of avocados, Gaby Dalkin, this chunky guacamole is sprinkled with freshly shredded Cabot cheddar cheese and finished with a splash of Casa Noble tequila. Make sure to not mash your avocados, but instead, finely dice them. It’s a fun texture that works well with the shredded cheese. The Crystal tequila gives it that drunken kick it needs, but keeps the avocado flavor pristine!
Be social with Casa Noble: Be sure to check out their Facebook page, where they constantly share updates on their great tequila; follow them on Twitter, for constant contact (they’re great at tweeting back!); subscribe to their YouTube channel; and read their fun and informative blog!
Inspired by Gaby Dalkin's "Cheesy Guacamole" recipe, this version adds a splash of Casa Noble Tequila!
Ingredients
- 2 large Hass avocados
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon Casa Noble Tequila Blanco
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Instead of mashing your avocado like usual, peel and remove the pit. Then, slice into long strips and then finely dice. You want the avocado to keep it's shape, not be all mushy.
- Fold in the lemon juice, cilantro, cheddar cheese, and tequila. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or cover tightly with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
Spiced Mexican Chicken Wraps
An unusual recipe, these wraps are great because they can be made plenty of hours ahead and sliced when you’re party begins! Unlike your traditional chicken salad, this one is packed with cumin and cilantro, two of Mexico’s favorite spices and herbs! And with a good slathering of refried beans and fresh corn kernels, it will become your favorite quick meal not only for parties, but for a simple and flavorful lunch item!
Mexican flavors lace these wraps, which can be served whole or sliced. Cumin, hot peppers, and fresh cilantro round out the flavors!
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 dried hot peppers (Habanero, Guajillo or Ancho)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro stems
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup fresh corn kernels
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup refried beans
Instructions
- Simmer chicken stock seasoned with oregano, dried peppers, and cilantro stems. Drop whole chicken breasts into simmering water and slowly poach for 20 minutes until fully cooked. Refrigerate until cool.
- Dice into small pieces the cooled chicken breast and fold in the mayonnaise, corn, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- To assemble wraps: slather refried beans on flour tortillas, fill with chicken salad and roll tightly. Serve cold.
Disclosure: Thanks to the generous Casa Noble folks for sending along their gorgeous tequilas, as well as a gift card to buy the fresh ingredients for these recipes! All opinions, recipes, and photography are my own, as always.
Next year, I’m celebrating Cinco de Mayo with you! This all looks amazing. Can’t wait to share your Chunky Avocado Cheddar Guac with our Cabot Facebook fans. It looks completely yummy!
Now here’s a post I like–tequila! 🙂 Love your spritzer. I almost threw some cilantro into the margarita I made yesterday, so I certainly don’t think that’s crazy. Then again, there are people who love cilantro, and those who can’t stand it. I love it!