Casa Dragones was based in 2009 by Maestra Tequilera Bertha González Nieves and businessman Robert Pittman. They arrange store in San Miguel de Allende, the charming city in Central Mexico, and launched the world to their first product, a joven tequila meant for sipping. Per laws, the tequila is distilled in Jalisco, however San Miguel is the model’s religious dwelling. And that’s the place Casa Dragones launched its Bartender Alternate Program in 2020.
This system celebrates the interchange of information, expertise, and experience between bartenders from Mexico, america, and the remainder of the world. The marquee occasion is a cocktail competitors referred to as Jamming Classes, by which bartenders compete for the last word prize, which features a journey to San Miguel and a residency on the Casa Dragones tasting room. Contributors additionally acquire entry to masterclasses protecting agave harvest, tequila manufacturing, and sustainability.
The 2022 version, which wrapped up in June, coincided with the seventh annual version of Barra México, Latin America’ s preeminent bar commerce present.
Casa Dragones obtained greater than 400 unique cocktail video submissions from bartenders throughout Mexico, the U.S., and Europe, with entries impressed by the theme “For the Love of San Miguel.” Over the course of a pair months, entrants had been whittled all the way down to eight semi-finalists, who gathered in San Miguel for a two-round competitors that resulted in three finalists.
Every bartender created drinks on the fly, following prompts and utilizing the components obtainable to them—with Casa Dragones Blanco because the star—to impress a panel of three distinguished judges. When the mud settled, London bartender Daniel Kaizen got here out victorious, serving the refreshing Dragon Punch for his closing drink.
Moreover the trophy, the win included an invite for Kaizen to take part within the Casa Dragones Bartender Residency in San Miguel, a set of the model’s ultra-premium tequila expressions, and $1,000 grant to help his skilled endeavors.
“This competitors was most likely essentially the most thrilling factor I’ve ever performed as a result of it’s simply so lovely,” says Kaizen, including that he felt swept into the tradition of San Miguel.
In creating the Dragon Punch, Kaizen explains that he wished to include all of the flavors of Casa Dragones whereas catering to all forms of tequila drinkers, from novices to connoisseurs. To make it occur, he merged the blanco expression with DIY rosemary syrup, contemporary pineapple and citrus juices, and a handful of garnishes.
Dragon Punch Recipe
2 ounces Casa Dragones blanco tequila
2/3 ounce rosemary syrup
2/3 ounce pineapple juice
2/3 ounce orange juice
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
Add all components to a shaker with ice, and shake till well-chilled. Pressure right into a rocks glass, and garnish with diced kiwi, a lime wedge, pineapple wedge, and rosemary sprig.
