It is common knowledge that people tend to gain a bit during the holidays, and maybe calories shouldn’t really count during this season of cheer, but if you love margaritas, you will adore Jose Cuervo‘s new Authentic Light and Zero Calorie Margarita’s taste like the more caloric variety, and still have fewer than 95 calories per serving. In fact, these pre-mixed margarita mixes have fewer calories per serving than most wines or beers. All you have to do is add a signature of your own, such as berries or other fruit, plus a great tequila from Jose Cuervo. The non-alcoholic product is available in two sizes: a 750 ml. bottle for a mere $4.99 or a 1.75 liter bottle for $6.99 (perfect for parties). The bottles are lightweight plastic (PET – polythylene terephthalate) so you can take them to someone else’s shindig without fear that they will break on the way. You can get Jose Cuervo Zero Calorie Margarita mix in grocery, club and drug stores nationwide or visit www.cuervo.com for more info.
But for purists there is Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Tequila, made with blue agave. Jose Cuervo has been satisfying discerning palates since 1795! All Jose Cuervo Tequila is made in the central Mexican town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco.
For the uninitiated,only the Agave Azul Tequilana Weber variety (Blue Agave) can be used for Tequila. Blue Agave is commonly mistaken for a cactus, but it is really a relative of the lily (amaryllis) family and it takes anywhere from 6 to 12 years to mature.
Jose Cuervo’s Especial Gold Tequila is 40% alcohol–a veritable party in a bottle! Anyone who loves tequila knows that it is a strong drink. I love it mixed, but pretty much had a rough night once back in college drinking it as shots (live and learn). Jose Cuervo Gold is, supposedly, the number one selling tequila in the world. I can believe it. It truly looks precious –a rich, warm, gold in the bottle. Although I am not truly a tequila aficionado, I like the smoothness, with notes of caramel and vanilla and hints of agave. As tequilas go, this one is rich and buttery with a bit of a sweetness at the finish. You can drink it straight with a lime, or use it as a mixer. The average retail price seems to be around $23.00 for a 750 ml. bottle. You can get Jose Cuervo tequilas (there are many varieties) in liquor stores or visit www.cuervo.com for more info.
How to Serve a classic shot of Cuervo Tequila:
1 oz. Jose Cuervo Especial™, Pinch of Salt Lime wedge
Directions: Pour Jose Cuervo Especial® into a shot glass. Lick the area between your thumb and forefinger and sprinkle salt on the moist skin. Drink the Tequila (all at once, quickly) lick the salt and suck the lime! Couldn’t be easier, or more fun!
How To serve a Margarita on the Rocks (*you can make this frozen in a blender, too)
1 oz. Jose Cuervo Tequila, 3 oz. Jose Cuervo Lime Margarita Mix, 1 cup ice (or more), Salt, Lime wedge, Your Choice of Tequila (Silver, Tradicional, Platino, Especial).
Directions: Rub the rim of a chilled margarita glass with the lime and dip it into the salt to coat it (*you can prepare these without salt too), In a cocktail shaker, combine Jose Cuervo Especial®, Jose Cuervo Lime Margarita Mix® and ice, Shake vigorously and strain drink into the garnished glass filled with ice.
There is also another brand of low calorie and low carb mixers called Bonitas Mixers that I tried at an Amazon.com holiday preview. They are really quite good, and they’re sugar free, 100% Real Juice, just 5 calories and 6 carbs per serving. They also have no dyes or preservatives. You can choose, mojito, margarita or Sweet -n- Sour in 32 oz bottles (average price $6.99). These are very good for people trying to cut calories and carbs, not to mention sugar, but who love the taste of mixed drinks. The Margarita mix would be good with any Jose Cuervo tequila. You can get these at Walgreens and Albertsons super markets and amazon.com.
