Skip to main content

Sipping on Casa Dragones Tequila

casa dragones
You’re sitting alone at the bar. Let’s say you’ve just come back from an end of summer vacation. You’re fighting through those post-vacation blues, feeling resentful of the daily routine and want a drink to fortify your spirits. You want a drink to give you solace in a quiet moment at the bar.

What if we told you the drink you’re looking for was a tequila, and not a bourbon or a scotch? That’s right, Casa Dragones tequila, a small batch tequila distillery based out of Tequila, Mexico (yes, you read that correctly), is changing the conversation about tequila sip by contemplative sip.

Related Videos

“When we founded the company we wanted to push the boundaries of what had been done in the tequila category,” says Bertha Gonzalez Nieves, CEO and co-founder of Casa Dragones, “And we had a clear idea on how to do it with a sipping tequila.”

With passion like that, it is easy to see what Gonzalez Nieves was the first woman to ever be accredited as a Maestra Tequilera. She was first captivated by the tequila industry in her early twenties when she was selected to represent Mexico in an international business program. During the program, Gonzalez Nieves visited Mexico’s tequila distilleries and fell in love with one of her nation’s signature drinks, as well as the “process of transformation from the gorgeous agave plant to this beautiful elixir.”

And Casa Dragones is all about transformation. “Our tequila is the result of blending white tequila with extra aged tequila,” explains Gonzalez Nieves. “We age our tequila in American white oak casks because we don’t want the influence of any other spirit in our tequila. It is the blending of the tequila that creates a complex but balanced flavor. The white tequila brings floral and citrus notes and then you get hazelnut and spice notes from the aged tequila. And through the sipping process you get the whole experience.”

Because of this sophisticated sipping experience, top-tier chefs all over the world including Eric Ripert, Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud have clamored to use Casa Dragones to pair with meals in their restaurants. In fact, the tequila is so popular with the culinary community, that Casa Dragones has compiled a “Pairings” section on their website to keep track of some of the signature dishes that go along with their high-class spirit.

“Not everybody in the tequila marketplace sips,” says Gonzalez Nieves, “but our distinct balance and flavor is conducive to sipping, so we have been able to win over some of the most discerning palettes in the world.”

With Gonzalez Nieves’ expertise in mind, the next time you are sitting at the bar, worn down by the mundane, ask the bartender for a glass of Casa Dragones. Once you take your first sip, you’ll understand why this is a tequila you savor. Feel free to ditch your salt and lime.

Editors' Recommendations

Study: Which fast food restaurant gives you the worst bang for your buck?
Fast-casual restaurants: Where customers say they get the most value for their money
fast food and casual restarants with worst bang for buck burgers on grill

Whether we care to admit it or not, we all have our favorite fast-food restaurants. For all the bad rap they get, there's really just no comparing their convenience or ability to satisfy that insane, so-bad-it's-good, otherworldy craving for a greasy brown bagged burger and fries. Say what you will about the extra fat and calories, overly processed ingredients, and insane levels of sodium and cholesterol. At the end of the day, sometimes you've just got to give in and be bad.

And while we all have our favorites, from McDonald's to Jimmy John's, in a recent study, some fast-casual restaurants fared better than others when it came down to the best bang for your buck.

Read more
The 10 best aprons for men: Cook your meals in style
Cook in style by tying on one of these masculine aprons

Spills and splatters happen all the time – even (and often) in professional kitchens. Kitchen aprons are a chef's best friend. Whether you're a seasoned pro in the kitchen or a culinary novice, an apron is a staple if you want to keep your clothes mess-free and your essential cooking tools within reach. Chef aprons are like a coat of armor, offering protection from an overzealous mixer, food processor, or stubborn grease stain. It doesn't matter how good your food is, it's not worth ruining your favorite shirt over.

There's an apron for every kind of chef, whether you're a BBQ champ that needs something a little more sturdy to withstand the hot temps or a baker that needs pockets to keep measuring spoons, dish towels, and thermometers handy. Even if you don't think you need an apron, you'll be surprised by the functionality an apron can provide upon your first wear. There are plenty of aprons for men that are serious in comfort and durability without being too pretentious. Below, we've rounded up some of the best men's kitchen aprons that will upgrade both your cooking and personal style.

Read more
Nam prik, the fiery Thai chili dip you should be adding to everything
Chiang Mai native Chef Setalat Prasert of Spicy Shallot breaks down this amazing Thai favorite
Spicy Shallot Nam Prik in a basket.

Fiery, herbaceous, tart, and savory, nam prik is a chili sauce that's absolutely beloved throughout Thailand. With more than a dozen varieties, this hot sauce and dip is enjoyed with everything from raw and steamed vegetables to grilled meats or fish. While the dip is traditionally prepared in a mortar and pestle (or a Thai krok), modern cooks often use a blender or food processor to make this vibrant chili dip. 

To guide us through this Thai delicacy is Chiang Mai native Chef Setalat "George" Prasert of Spicy Shallot. Spicy Shallot, located in Elmhurst, Queens, on a three-block stretch of Woodside Avenue named Little Thailand Way, serves a unique blend of Thai cuisine and Japanese sushi. The restaurant is also a showcase of Prasert's favorite — nam prik kha.

Read more