Zocalo » Bar & Tequila

Kahlua’s Re-Awakening

Zocalo — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:21:34 +0000

To read this entire article, click the photo!

Announcing Our New Monthly Dinner- Nov. 7th

Zocalo — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:18:14 +0000

Happy Hour? Yes Please!

Zocalo — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:16:29 +0000

Our new and improved Happy Hour is ready for you to take advantage of! Check out these irresistible specials- see you soon!

New Cocktail Menu!

Zocalo — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:57:52 +0000

Calling all cocktail enthusiasts- we have just added our newest Cocktail Menu to our site! Here is a short preview of what you will find next time you visit the bar. For the complete menu, click the above Zocalo Blackberry Margarita photo. Cheers!

The Zocalo Blackberry Margarita

100% blue agave blanco tequila, blackberries, agave and lime.

The Cadillac

Herencia mexicana blanco, agave, lime and gran marnier float.

Pisco Sour

Encanto Pisco, lime, sugar and egg white.

Paloma

Herencia mexicana blanco, lime, salt and squirt.

Midtown Cocktail Week- August 18th By Carleen

Zocalo — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:39:16 +0000

Midtown Cocktail Week is an annual extravaganza that truly emphasizes the artistry of cocktails. This inspirational weeklong event allows mixologists to explore their talent, imagination and creativeness in the art of concoction.

The exhilarating event was presented to Sacramento in 2008 by Zocalo’s former bar manager, Joe Anthony Savala, who had passionate knowledge and energy for wines and spirits. Brilliant! This is exactly what Sacramento was lacking! It was a huge success when it launched four years ago and now more successful than ever before. Keep it up Sacramento!

Midtown Cocktail Week not only allows patrons to put on their adventurous hat, but also providing the opportunity to learn the history and culture of cocktails. On Thursday, August 18, Zocalo is proudly presenting, “A Night in Cuba.” We are extremely honored to have guest bartender from Shady Lady Saloon, Dominique Gonzalez, as she will be offering a very special Cuban cocktail menu prepared exclusively for Midtown Cocktail Week at Zocalo. So please your palette and join us at Zocalo on August 18, from 5-8:30, for an unforgettable event! For more information, visit midtowncocktailweek.org.

Touring Agave

ryan — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:16:37 +0000

We ended our 3 week hiatus in Mexico touring mezcal and tequila distilleries(we don’t remember much). It was like a Zocalo tequila tasting on steroids. The smells, the landscape, and the producers themselves created an unforgettable experience. Real quick background. Tequila can only be grown in 5 states(Jalisco, being the biggest, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit). This doesn’t mean that agave only grows in 5 states. It means that the Mexican government only allows agave from these particular states to name it’s product “tequila.” Anywhere else bares the name mezcal. But, and a big but, Oaxaca is the main producer of mainstream mezcal and the state that has the real “know how” of making this artisanal product.

About an hour from Oaxaca city lies the towns of Matitlan and Mitla where maguey or agave(it’s the same thing) is grown for mezcal production. Rolando and the crew of Agave de Cortes gave us an in depth look as to how mezcal is made with its rural yet authentic ways. We visited with Don Tacho and watched as he baked the agave underground with wood giving the end product it’s unique smoky flavor.

We then headed north to the Highlands of Jalisco and visited with our favorite tequileros, Carlos Munoz of Herencia Mexicana and Fernando Gonzalez of 7 Leguas . Both guys are great to be around and are very proud of the products they produce. Even though they have different production techniques and distinct flavors, they both will tell you the same thing, take care of the blanco(the unaged most pure tequila). It’s their baby. If you can’t make a good blanco, then don’t waste your time putting it in a barrel to age.

Our August tequila tasting here at the restaurant will be with long time bar manager, Joe Anthony Savala, who has now moved on to represent Herencia Mexicana. I will pair the line with different dishes I had while in Jalisco. With only a few weeks away, make sure to buy tickets online with a discount as seating is limited.

Agave Nectar is pretty sweet!

Joe Anthony — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:05:46 +0000

You might think agave nectar is consumed by people that do yoga, drive a Prius, or shop at the Natural Foods Co-Op. That might be true but it’s a little more mainstream now and has some great benefits. I like to use it on my pancakes and pour some in my coffee. At Zocalo we use around 40 gallons a week for margaritas and here’s why:

1. Agave nectar is derived from Agave plants grown in Mexico. There are several processing methods used to obtain the syrupy sweetener, but you can’t just tap into the plant like you would with maple syrup.

2. Agave nectar is composed mostly of fructose, and also glucose.

3. It has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, due to the fact that glycemic index measures only glucose levels, and agave nectar has less glucose than sugar.

4. Agave nectar has the same number of calories as sugar, 4 calories per gram. that works out to 16 calories per teaspoon. Since agave is sweeter than sugar…you use less.

5. Agave nectar is about one and a half times sweeter than table sugar, which means you need to use less to reach the same sweet point. That works out to be less calories for the same level of sweet.

6. Many vegans prefer to use agave nectar in recipes calling for honey as no animals are involved in its processing.

7. Agave dissolves quickly in water and is sometimes used as a sweetener for cold drinks like iced tea, coffee and perfect for Margaritas.

8. Tequila (yes, the alcoholic drink) is a cousin of agave nectar. Blue agave (Agave tequilana) is the source for both. Agave nectar can also be made from other types of agave plants.

Zocalo’s Top Selling Margaritas!

Zocalo — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:47:07 +0000

Looking for the best margaritas in Sacramento? We have some of the most delicious and most popular margaritas- right here at Zocalo. Our crowd favorite is the de la Casa, and the runner up is the Blackberry margarita. Other popular margaritas include the Hand Crafted, Corazon Puro, Julio Bermejo, and La Chupulina. With all these top-selling margaritas, you’re sure to find something that you love. Tell us what your favorite Zocalo margarita is!

Event Report: Tequila Festival, May 2nd By Kaelyn

Zocalo — Fri, 06 May 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Well, once again Zocalo had it’s annual Tequila Festival! This was my first week on the job so I had no idea what to expect, but I had a blast! We had 7 different vendors there to share their knowledge of the different tequilas (Corzo, Forteleza, Herencia..to name a few). I really enjoyed the displays and the product knowledge the reps had to offer- which brought tequila into a whole new light for me.

Being mainly a beer and wine drinker, I never really cared to distinguish the difference in hard liquors like tequila- however, it is just as diverse and complex in the process and taste as any beer or wine might be. It is definitely something that I have a growing interest in and the Forteleza Repesado may be my new go to drink!

The atmosphere was very relaxed and enjoyable, people seemed very intrigued at every vendors station and my knowledge of the different brands has grown exponentially. If you missed out this year I would definitely make it a point to check it out next year. I didn’t see one person walk out of the restaurant looking like they didn’t enjoy it! Take a look at some of the photo’s that were taken at the event!

Zocalo’s Tequila Festival in The Sacramento Press!

Zocalo — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:25:27 +0000

Pembe Sonmez, of The Sacramento Press writes:

“For the chance to sample boutique tequilas from family-operated distilleries in Mexico, Zócalo on Capital Ave is the place to be Monday night for its annual tequila festival…”

To read this article in entirety, just click on the above photo!