tequila book give-away and happy national tequila day

I'll drink to that!

Just minutes ago, I got off a radio interview with Martha Stewart Everyday Food where we were talking tequila and celebrating National Tequila Day, TODAY! I like to blog on Friday and I was thinking, what should I write about today? Of course, TEQUILA!

This is Carlos Carmarena of El Tesoro slamming back a caballito of his blanco tequila straight out of the still. Carlos told me a great story. Do you know where shooting shots of tequila comes from? No, not college days!

Early distilleries were located way out in the countryside in the agave fields, and since drinking glasses weren't available where mezcal was being made, it was initially served in the hollowed out tip of a bull's horn, called a cuernito or caballito. Due to the limited supply of horns, the vessel was passed from one drinker to another. Because it was impossible to set the horn down without it falling over, shots were thrown back before the horn was passed along to the next drinker. Thus began the tradition of drinking shots of mezcal and, later, tequila.

Oh, one more thing... I'm giving away a copy of my new tequila book "Tequila, A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails and Bites" to one lucky winner. To be eligible, make sure, if you haven't already, put your name in the subscriber box (top left). Then leave me a comment and let me know your favorite way to celebrate National Tequila Day. I'll pick a winner at random next week and send you the book.

How am I celebrating? I'm teaching a tequila weekend cooking and cocktail-making class beginning with a tequila reception tonight in my kitchen.

How are you celebrating National Tequila Day?