ZAPOTECA IN PORTLAND serves almost 90 kinds of tequila. Some of the tequilerias in Boston sell more than 100 varieties (and one claims to sell 300), but Sergio Ramos, managing partner at Zapoteca, said the restaurant deliberately limits its stock because he doesn’t want to offer lower-quality brands.
ZAPOTECA HAS BROUGHT in four or five varieties that have not been sold in Maine before, and there are more to come. “Maine being state-controlled liquor, it’s tougher to get all these different tequilas in here because the state has to buy in such large quantities,” said Tom Bard, proprietor of Zapoteca. “So we’re working with the various distributors, and they’re looking at what we’re selling in tequilas and slowly bringing in more. So we keep on adding the next level up, but there’s still not a lot of tequila available here. You can get it in New Hampshire, but you can’t get it here.”
TEN KINDS of tequila flights are available now at Zapoteca, nine of them served by brand. Prices range from $15 to $50 for three half-ounce samples. The priciest is the Primo Casa Flight, which consists of shots of Don Julio 1942, Patron Platinum and Cabo Wabo Uno. (The priciest single tequila at Zapoteca is a shot of Don Julio Real for $49. The restaurant sells three or four shots a week of this ultra-premium tequila.)
HAVANA SOUTH in Portland serves 15 varieties of tequilas, and tequila flights upon request. El Rayo on York Street in Portland serves tequila flights of the brands 1800, Herradurra and Patron. If you live up the coast, Primo in Rockland also has a decent selection of tequilas, with eight brands on its menu.
RESTAURANTS ALSO are coming up with creative tequila cocktails and experimenting with interesting infusions. Here’s a sampling of what’s available in some Maine restaurants:
EL RAYO
101 York St., Portland
Margarita de la Casa – 1800 Reposado Tequila, Dekuyper Triple Sec and fresh lime
Passionista – Citrus, passion fruit juice, 1800 Silver Tequila and triple sec
Snake Bite – Jalapeno, cilantro, lime, 1800 Silver Tequila and triple sec
Anti Venom – Bee pollen, agave nectar, citrus juice, 1800 Silver Tequila and triple sec
The Skinny – Fresca, fresh lime and Herradura Silver Tequila
El Jefe – Double shots of 1800 Anejo tequila and Cointreau with sweetened lime juice
Anticuado – Herradura Anejo Tequila, Cointreau, agave nectar and angostura bitters muddled with orange and cherry
Zocalo – Herradura Anejo Tequila, Agavero Liqueur, sweet vermouth and chocolate bitters
Brave Bull – Kahlua and 1800 Silver Tequila
El Toro – Dos XX Amber with a shot of 1800 Reposado Tequila and fresh lemonade over ice, served in a pint glass
GINGKO BLUE
455 Fore St., Portland
Rocky Raspberry Tequila Cooler – House-infused key lime tequila, key lime juice, raspberry puree and agave nectar
Blue Agaverita – Milagro Silver Tequila, Agavero, Sharkwater, blue curacao, blue agave nectar, lime juice and orange juice, finished with sparkling Brut
HAVANA SOUTH
44-50 Wharf St., Portland
Paloma – Hornitos Plata Tequila, citrus soda and fresh lime juice with a salt/lime zest rim and an orange garnish
Paloma Roja – House-infused strawberry tequila, fresh lime, citrus soda, a splash of cranberry with a salt/lime zest rim and an orange garnish
LOCAL 188
685 Congress St., Portland
Infused Margarita – pineapple-infused tequila, triple sec, fresh citrus and simple syrup
PRIMO
2 South Main St., Rockland
Ibiscio – Rose Angel Hibiscus Tequila, pomegranate syrup, grapefruit juice and agave nectar
“Primo” Margarita – Sauza Hornitos, Citronage, fresh lime and agave nectar
Passionate ‘Rita – Primo Margarita with passion fruit puree and a sweet and salty rim
SONNY’S
83 Exchange St., Portland
Jaycito – House chili-infused tequila, muddled fresh cilantro and lime, finished with soda water
Strawberry Hot Pepper Margarita – House chili-infused tequila with fresh strawberries, simple syrup and a sugared rim
Chili Pineapple Margarita – House chili-infused tequila, pineapple, lime, simple syrup and a chili salt rim
Classic Margarita – Herradura Silver Tequila, fresh lime and a light sugar salted rim
WALTER’S
2 Portland Square, Portland
Agave Fields – Milagro Reposado, Patron Citronge, agave nectar, seltzer and lime juice
Citronarita – Cuervo Especial Tequila, Patron Citronge, lime juice, orange juice and kiwi syrup
ZAPOTECA
505 Fore St., Portland
La Tradicional – Traditional margarita made with fresh lime juice, silver tequila and premium orange liqueur
La Suprema – Reposado tequila, 100 percent agave tequila, premium orange liqueur and fresh lime juice
El Pepino – Silver tequila, premium orange liqueur, cucumber slices and jalapenos
Blood Orange Margarita – Silver tequila, fresh lime juice and blood orange juice
Habanero Watermelon Margarita – Habanero-infused gold tequila, premium orange liqueur, agave nectar, watermelon puree and lime juice
POM-Blueberry Margarita – Fresh lime juice, Maine blueberries, fresh pomegranate juice, silver tequila and premium orange liqueur
GuavaRita – Fresh lime juice, guava puree, silver tequila and premium orange liqueur
Bloody Maria – Traditional Bloody Mary with a twist: gold tequila and house-made tomatilla sangrita
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