Mezcal-Marinated Carne Asada served with Tomatillo Salsa
A carne asada makes the perfect centrepiece to a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Mezcal adds a smoky, earthy flavour to the meat that is perfectly complemented by the creamy tomatillo salsa. Feel free to adjust the salsa to the level of spice you enjoy. Most of a hot pepper’s heat is found in the seeds and inner white pith. Removing these will result in a milder, but still flavourful, salsa. To complement the carne asada, serve with warm tortillas, crema, pickled red onion, crumbled cotija and limes. Try pairing this recipe with Dos Equis Xx Especial Lager or Pacifico Clara Cerveza.Ingredients
Serves 6
¾ cup (180 ml) mezcal
½ cup (125 ml) fresh orange juice
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
¼ cup + 1 tbsp (75 ml) grapeseed oil, divided, plus more for greasing grills
4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp (30 ml) kosher salt, plus more as needed
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) smoked paprika
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cumin
16 green onions, divided
1 small white onion, thinly sliced
2 serrano peppers, stemmed and halved lengthwise
1 cup (250 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
1 flank steak, flap steak or skirt steak (about 2 lbs/900 g)
Tomatillo Salsa, make ahead, recipe follows
Tomatillo Salsa:
grapeseed oil, for greasing grills
8 oz (225 g) tomatillos (about 5 medium-sized), husks removed and rinsed under cold water
2 green onions, trimmed
1 serrano pepper
1 clove garlic
½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 cup (250 ml) loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk mezcal, orange juice, lime juice, ¼ cup (60 ml) oil, garlic, salt, black pepper, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika and cumin until well combined. Set aside.
- Trim 4 green onions and cut in half lengthwise. Using palm of your hand, lightly smash green onion halves against a flat work surface until a little moisture is released.
- In a large glass or non-reactive baking pan that just fits steak, add smashed green onions, white onions, halved serrano peppers, cilantro, steak and mezcal mixture. Massage steak into marinade, flipping once or twice. Cover baking pan with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours. For most flavourful results, flip steak once or twice while marinating.
- Remove steak from marinade and pat dry with paper towel. Discard marinade. Place steak on a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat grill or a grill pan over very high heat. Lightly oil grates or pan.
- Place steak on grill or pan. Grill, uncovered, until lightly charred in spots and a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of steak registers 125 F (52 C) for medium-rare, 3 to 5 minutes per side, or grill to desired doneness. Transfer steak to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, trim remaining 12 green onions. In a medium bowl, toss these onions with remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil and a good pinch of salt. Place green onions on grill or grill pan and cook, uncovered and turning occasionally, until softened and lightly charred, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer grilled green onions to a plate.
- To serve, slice steak against grain and place on a large platter. Serve with grilled green onions and Tomatillo Salsa.
- Tomatillo Salsa:
- Preheat grill or a grill pan over high heat. Grease grills.
- Place tomatillos, green onions and serrano pepper on oiled grates. Grill, uncovered and turning occasionally, until evenly charred, 8 to 10 minutes for tomatillos, 6 to 8 minutes for green onions and 3 to 4 minutes for serrano pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- In bowl of a food processor fitted with steel blade attachment, combine tomatillos, green onions, serrano pepper, garlic, salt, cilantro and lime juice. Pulse until a smooth paste forms, about 25 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add avocados and pulse until mostly smooth, about 10 pulses. Season with salt to taste, and serve. Salsa can be made up to 3 hours in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container. Pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly on surface of salsa helps to prevent it from oxidizing.
- Makes about 1¼ cups (310 ml)
Drink Pairings
Turning Head
The Exorcist follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother’s attempt to save her through an exorcism performed by a pair of Catholic priests. Inspired by the supernatural nature of the film, this cocktail pairs the earthy character of tequila with fresh citrus that gives hope, while the extreme complexity of Chartreuse Green, whose secret formula is carefully guarded by two Carthusian monks, takes on an assertive role.Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Cazadores Blanco Tequila
½ oz (15 ml) Chartreuse Green
½ oz (15 ml) lime juice
½ oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup*
2 dashes grapefruit bitters
1 lime twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a Nick and Nora glass or coupe glass in the freezer for 5 minutes. In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine tequila, Chartreuse, lime juice, Simple Syrup and bitters. Shake vigorously, then fine strain into chilled glass. Garnish with lime twist.
- *1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.
Featuring
Five Alive
Five Alive was created by Bar Star Kelsey Ramage of Mount Pleasant Vintage. Make it at home or enjoy it at their location in Vancouver, BC! Featuring Altos Blanco Tequila, Aperol, mandarin sherbet, and lime juice. Perfect for patio season!Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) Altos Blanco Tequila
½ oz (15 ml) Aperol
¾ oz (22 ml) Mandarin Sherbet*
1/4 oz (7.5 ml) passion fruit purée
½ oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice
2 dashes Saline**
1 dash Ricard Pastis de Marseille 45
1 lemon and 1 lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- Rim a rocks glass halfway with salt. In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients, shake hard and strain into prepared glass. Add ice and garnish with lemon and lime wheel.
- *To make Mandarin Sherbet, add 1 cup (250 ml) mandarin rinds (about 20 mandarins) to a zip-top plastic bag and cover rinds completely with 2 cups (500 ml) sugar. Set aside and allow to sit overnight. Blend flesh of mandarins to a pulp and strain through a mesh strainer. Discard pulp, add juice to prepared rind sugar and stir to dissolve. Strain out rinds. Transfer to a clean bottle, allow to cool and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- ** To make Saline, add 2 tsp (10 ml) kosher or sea salt to 7 tbsp (100 ml) water; stir to dissolve.
Featuring
Strawberry Vanilla Margarita
Taste the summer with fresh BC strawberries to add a fresh local kick to your summer Margarita! Who can say no to the classic flavour combo of strawberry and vanilla. Use blanco tequila for best results and enjoy on a hot summers day!Ingredients
Serves 1
1 lime wedge, to rim glass
kosher salt, to rim glass
1½ oz (45 ml) Gran Centenario Plata Tequila or Espolón Blanco Tequila
1 oz (30 ml) Licor 43
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
4 strawberries, save 1 for garnish
Instructions
- Moisten outer rim of a rocks glass with lime wedge and rim glass with kosher salt. In a cocktail shaker, muddle 3 strawberries, combine tequila, Licor 43, lime juice and cubed ice. Shake vigorously and fine strain over new cubed ice into prepared rocks glass. Garnish with a strawberry.
Featuring
Spicy Elderflower Margarita
Take the classic Margarita up a notch with this spicy floral recipe. Add your spice level as desired and enjoy the aromas of Elderflower! Use your favourite blanco tequila or try one of our recommendations below from your local BCL.Ingredients
Serves 1
1 lime wedge, to rim glass
Tajín seasoning, to rim glass
1½ oz (45 ml) Don Julio Blanco Tequila or Sierra Silver Tequila
1 oz (30 ml) St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
1 jalapeño, for muddling and garnish*
Instructions
- Moisten outer rim of a rocks glass with lime wedge and rim glass with Tajín. In a cocktail shaker, muddle 3 to 4 slices of jalapeño, then combine tequila, Bols Elderflower Liqueur and lime juice. Shake vigorously and fine strain over new ice into prepared rocks glass. Garnish with jalapeño slices.
- *Remove seeds to control spice level.
Featuring
Classic Margarita
Why change what’s already good? This classic Margarita recipe uses 100% agave blanco tequila with just the right proportions to make a tasty Margarita. Use fresh lime as available or substitute as available. Try this recipe out on the patio this summer!Ingredients
Serves 1
1 lime wedge, to rim glass
kosher salt, to rim glass
1½ oz (45 ml) Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver Tequila or Teremana Tequila Blanco
1 oz (30 ml) Cointreau
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions
- Moisten outer rim of a rocks glass with lime wedge and rim glass with kosher salt. In a cocktail shaker with some cubed ice, combine tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Shake vigorously and pour into prepared rocks glass. Garnish with lime wheel.
Featuring
Mega Michelada
Patio season is now! This Mexican inspired Michelada has been taken to the next level with the addition of either tequila or mezcal (optional). Topped off with a mini-Corona, the Coronita! Try this recipe while hosting friends by having a Mega Michelada cocktail bar where guests can dress drinks with their savoury toppings of choice!Ingredients
Serves 10
10 oz (300 ml) fresh lime juice
10 oz (300 ml) clamato juice
3½ oz (105 ml) hot sauce
1¾ oz (50 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 lime wedge, to rim glass
Tajín seasoning, to rim glass 1 oz (30 ml) Hornitos Plata Tequila or Montelobos Mezcal Joven, to serve (optional)
Coronitas beer, to serve
selection of garnishes
Instructions
- In a 750 ml bottle, make Mega Michelada mix by combining lime juice, clamato, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Seal bottle, and gently turn upside down a few times to mix thoroughly.
- To serve, moisten outer rim of a tall glass with lime wedge and dip into Tajín to coat. Fill glass a third full with ice cubes. Measure 2.5 oz (75 ml) of Mega Michelada mix and 1 oz (30 ml) of either Tequila or Mezcal. Top with beer* and garnish as desired.
- *For a lower-alcohol option you can opt for no spirits and/or use low-alcohol or de-alcoholized beer.
Featuring
Double-Pink Paloma
Mexico is calling with our take on a paloma. This unique rosé cocktail showcases blanco tequila and Prosecco rosé flavoured with agave syrup and watermelon pureé. A must try this summer! This recipe makes 12 servings so it’s a perfect batch for entertaining in the garden.Ingredients
Serves 12
6 limes, juice, plus wedge for rimming glasses
pink salt or half-and-half pink salt-and-sugar mix, for rimming glasses
4 cups (1 L) watermelon purée (about ½ large or 1 medium watermelon)
6 oz (180 ml) agave syrup
9 oz (270 ml) Altos Plata Tequila
1 x 750 ml bottle Ruffino Prosecco Rosé
watermelon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Moisten lowball glass rims with lime and dip in pink salt. For each drink, pour 2½ oz (75 ml) of watermelon purée, ½ oz (15 ml) each of agave syrup and lime juice and ¾ oz (22 ml) tequila. Stir gently. Fill glasses with ice cubes and slowly top with 2 oz (60 ml) Prosecco. Garnish with watermelon cubes or wedge.
Featuring
DIRTY TEQUILA MARTINI
Spiced cocktails are truly having a moment this winter. It’s the ideal time to refresh seasonal flavours and festive favourites with a spike of heat from various dried, fresh and preserved ingredients, many of which might already be in your pantry!Ingredients
Serves 1
1½ oz (45 ml) El Jimador Reposado Tequila
½ oz (15 ml) dry white vermouth
1 oz (30 ml) olive brine
¼ oz (7 ml) jalapeño brine
1 tsp (5 ml) flavour enhancer, such as Accent (optional)
1 lemon or lime wedge
salt, seasoned salt or chili-lime seasoning (such as Tajin), to rim glass
cocktail olives or jalapeño, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill the bottom of a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, vermouth, both brines and flavour enhancer. Stir for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until drink is thoroughly chilled and flavour enhancer is dissolved. Run citrus wedge around Martini or coupe glass rim then dip into a saucer of salt or seasoning to coat. Strain drink into rimmed glass and serve. Garnish with an olive or jalapeño.
Featuring
MOLE MOCHA
This cocktail is sure to please any coffee aficionado.Ingredients
Serves
1½ oz (45 ml) Cazadores Añejo Tequila
½ oz (15 ml) McGuinness Crème de Cacao
1 oz (30 ml) brewed espresso
½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup*
1 dash Habanero Bitters
3 coffee beans, for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker with cubed ice, combine tequila, espresso, crème de cacao, simple syrup and bitters. Shake vigorously and fine strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.
- *1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved in boiling water. Allow to cool before using.