We’re Recapping Chilled 100 ELEVATE 2023: Dinner Hosted by Rooster Rojo Tequila

The group of bartenders boarded the bus at the Brown Hotel for the short ride to La Bodeguita de Mina, a Cuban-themed restaurant.

Designed to replicate the feel of Cuba in the 1950s, we looked forward to trying food made with recipes passed down from family members.

Katy Wallace, National Brand Ambassador for Amber Beverage Group, greeted us as we entered a room in the back of the restaurant, set up and waiting for our arrival. We walked up to the sidebar and took a highball glass filled with their delicious Havana Punch with the addition of a kick of Rooster Rojo Reposado Tequila.

After we mingled and greeted other conference attendees, we found a seat. Katy welcomed the group.

She said, “This evening is meant to be an evening of fun and camaraderie. I want you to enjoy yourself and your fellow conference attendees.”

Instead of talking at length about the brand in front of the group, it was refreshing how she purposely went to each attendee during the course of the evening. She talked with them and shared information about the brand, enabling them to ask questions.

We smiled as the giant platters of appetizers arrived.

• Papas Rellenas are crispy breaded potato balls with savory ground beef
• Cuban Nachos–think nachos with plantains
• Empanadas Cabanas – stuffed pastry shells with beef with picadillo (roasted corn, bell peppers and spinach) 

Then the Bodeguita Margarita with a blend of Rooster Rojo Blanco and Rooster Rojo Smoked Pineapple Anejo, lime juice, and house sweet and sour arrived as we continued chatting. So, refreshing.

Katy told us we could order our entrée directly from the menu, which included traditional Cuban rice dishes, Pollo (wide variety of chicken), Carney Bistec (Beef from braised beef to steak), and Pescado y Mariscos (fish and shrimp). We appreciated that we could choose our entree, and vegetarians were happy too.

The dessert was a delightful end to the meal – Cuban vanilla flan served with pina colada ice cream paired with an espresso martini made from Rooster Rojo Anejo Tequila.

It was a delightful evening where we laughed, ate, and learned:  

• Rooster Rojo is made from 100% Blue Weber Agave cooked in autoclaves for ten hours. No diffuser is used. It is fermented using a special yeast, a well-kept secret of the master distiller, Arturo Fuentes Cortes. (We learned the importance of yeast on our Bourbon distillery tours!) Then, it is double-distilled in stainless steel pot stills.

• The water used for Rooster Rojo tequila is filtered through Mexican silver, making the drink softer and smoother. They are the first tequila brand to use this technique. Innovation is important to the brand.

• The bottle takes its shape from the Tequila Volcano, which can be seen from the distillery.

• The rooster is a well-known symbol in Mexico (as well as other cultures). It represents strength and wisdom, confidence, and courage. It is a symbol of Mexican national pride, so it is a fitting name for a brand representing the true spirit of Mexico. (Fun fact: Most roosters can crow by the time they are four months old!)

Rooster Rojo Tequila is launching a Mezcal next year, and Chilled 100 bartenders will be among the first to receive bottles to sample. You should sign up today if you are not a Chilled 100 member!

The post We’re Recapping Chilled 100 ELEVATE 2023: Dinner Hosted by Rooster Rojo Tequila appeared first on Chilled Magazine.