Take a delicious journey with these sippers from south of the border.
Latin America has delicious cuisine, but oftentimes folks overlook its cocktails. That is a mistake, especially here in Northern Nevada, where you can enjoy many mouthwatering beverages reminiscent of those cobblestone plazas, sidewalk cafés, and bars where one can sip and watch the world go by while on vacation or studying abroad.
But what makes a drink “Latin American”? What makes any food or beverage from an area are its ingredients. In the Caribbean as well as Central and South America, you will find cocktails mostly made with fermented and distilled sugarcane, agave, and grapes, which, after months or years of barrel aging, transform into either rum, tequila, mezcal, or wine.
In the Caribbean countries of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, rum reigns supreme. This is the land of Cuba libres (rum, Coke, and lime), mojitos (rum, muddled mint, sugar, and lime); piña coladas (coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice), and strawberry daiquiris (rum, strawberry, sugar, and lime over crushed ice).
Across the gulf, in Mexico, if you aren’t enjoying a michelada, it’s possible that you’re savoring a tequila- or mezcal-based libation. Both spirits, products of the blue agave plant, can be used to make a lip-smacking margarita (add lime juice and triple sec to the liquor, then serve in a salt-rimmed glass with a lime slice), a Paloma (add fresh grapefruit, lime juice, and agave nectar), and other creative concoctions and classic favorites.
South America also has its share of potent potables, in part because of other extraordinary ingredients: sugar, corn, and grapes. In fact, the latter makes the region world-renowned for its winemaking. Don’t overlook sipping on a sangria (red or white wine over ice with fresh citrus and apple slices or wedges) around Reno-Tahoe, even during the winter months.
However, if you find bars with cachaça, which is Brazilian rum, make sure to order a caipirinha, which includes the liquor, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. If the establishment has pisco, a grape-based, distilled, herbaceous spirit originally from Peru and Chile, then ask immediately for a pisco sour (lime juice, egg whites, and Angostura bitters). It’s decadent and eye-catching, so an excellent option for a flirty evening.
You never know what delights you’ll discover when you let your taste buds venture south.
RESOURCES
Pick one of these Northern Nevada bars and explore its Latin libations during your next pub crawl with friends.
Sparks Water Bar
325 Harbour Cove Drive, Ste. 101, Sparks
775-351-1500 · Sparkswaterbar.com
The Emerson
955 S. Virginia St., Reno
775-433-1995 · Theemersonreno.com
The Jesse Hotel & Bar
306 E. Fourth St., Reno
775-219-0220 · Thejessereno.com
Wolf by Vanderpump
18 Hwy. 50, South Lake Tahoe
775-588-6611 · Caesars.com/harveys-tahoe/restaurants/wolf-by-vanderpump/menu
