From San Miguel de Allende to Napa Valley, here’s how Casa Dragones celebrated.

Día de Muertos came and went in a flourish of marigolds. To celebrate this meaningful holiday, we hosted a series of special pairing dinners—from our spiritual hometown of San Miguel de Allende to aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.

In San Miguel de Allende, the pinnacle of the week was an intimate Pairing Table dinner at La Casa Dragones, featuring guest chefs Clare de Boer, Jess Shadbolt, and Annie Shi-McGregor of the New York restaurant King.

Sourcing from all local ingredients, they prepared a six-course menu that paired entirely with Casa Dragones Joven. As evening fell, the dinner became a grand cocktail party with a live performance from The Mexican Standoff and sets from DJ Itai and DJ Alonso Rivera. Our bartender-in-residence, Luis Franklin Hernandez of KO MA, served up craft cocktails in style (recipes here and here).

Another night in San Miguel, we joined Hotel Matilda and Moxi restaurant for their annual La Cena Negra (Black Dinner). This was a feast for all senses, and meal pairings went beyond taste and smell. Each of the six courses was meticulously set with a Mexican folk song specifically for Día de Muertos, as well as a beverage. Chef Gabriela Ruiz Lugo of Mexico City’s Carmela y Sal married black mole with suckling pig confit and pickled vegetables with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven and a rendition “La Llorona” by Chavela Vargas.

Back at La Casa Dragones, Guadalajara-based artist Marco Rountree designed a special altar that enveloped the entire entryway—an offering to our namesake, the Dragones cavalry, who helped lead Mexico to its independence in the 1800s. Marco described the installation as a “small universe of Mexican elements,” among them: sculptures he made that recall Mexican traditions and handcrafts, painted tortillas, anafres, clay figurines, ceramic vegetables, objects wrapped into concrete, and, of course, a portrait of Ignacio Allende himself. Eclectic, beautifully crafted, and lighthearted, this altar is a token of our gratitude.

And more than 2000 miles away, in Napa Valley, we teamed up with Napa Valley Wine Train to bring the valley a taste of an authentically Mexican Día de Muertos celebration. Chef Luis Arellano of Oaxaca restaurant Criollo served a an exquisite four-course, Casa Dragones Joven–paired meal aboard the scenic sunset ride. Guests enjoyed Dragones Rocks and the Stumblebee cocktail before sitting down to dinner. 

(Above) Chef Luis Arellano of Oaxaca restaurant Criollo aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.

Thank you to all our partners and friends who joined our Día de Muertos festivities this year—and cheers to many more to come!

what (and when) is oyster season, and how can you get creative with enjoying it?

Legend has it that oysters are best enjoyed September through April (also known as the “r” months). We did a little research and debunked this myth, discovering that now—thanks to cold-water oyster farms and modern refrigeration—every season is a perfectly fine oyster season. And there’s no more decadent a way to enjoy good oysters than with a flute of Casa Dragones Joven.

Ideally, oysters are firm and lean in texture, and briny in taste. The emerging flavors, depending on the oyster, can span sweet, earthy, and mineral tones. They’re best straight out of cold water and eaten from the shell immediately after being shucked, or plucked straight off a raw bar. Any beverage accompanying an oyster should not overpower its distinct flavor, making Joven the perfect complement. The master blend of 100% blue agave silver and extra aged tequila has a complex yet subtle flavor that beautifully balances the minerality of these all-season delicacies.

Photo courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal.

Upon tasting Casa Dragones Joven, chef Elena Reygadas recalls she was “surprised because of its elegance and subtlety.” Accordingly, she crafted an exquisite dish of Kumiai oysters to pair with the Joven for her Mexico City restaurant, Rosetta. The sweet, creamy notes in the oysters beautifully matched the Joven’s own subtle sweetness. Chef Darren Walsh of Lula Bistro in Guadalajara once creatively paired Joven with extra-large oysters topped with smoked shallot and bacon chutney, bacon panna cotta, and watermelon pearls, while José restaurant in Dallas has served Joven with smoky, grilled oysters for added depth.

While chefs have had their fun with the pairing, it’s simple enough to take into your own hands. Take notes, perhaps, from chef Gustavo Pinet of Crudo Bar at The Resort in Pedegral, who has served Joven with oysters accompanied with mignonettes such as grilled pineapple pico de gallo and spicy sesame oil and a mint ponzu sauce, cucumber, and red onion. Get creative with it, or pare back with a more standard mignonette and let you flute of Joven do the work.

Want more pairing inspiration? Explore other ways Casa Dragones Joven can be the perfect culinary complement here.

Bovine Brasserie in San Miguel de Allende hosts an innovative dining experience called the Mesa Dragones, where guests can enjoy a beautifully paired dinner with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven. Inside the beautifully wood-paneled private dining room that seats up to 10, guests can enjoy a 6-course paired meal prepared by Executive Chef Paul Bentley of Magno Brasserie fame, that features oxtail tortellini, white fish sashimi with chile and orange fermented puree and more.

This Valentine’s Day, be more than roses and chocolate. Be romantic, be passionate, be surprising, and most of all – be creative. Find creative Valentine’s Day gift ideas, romantic cocktail recipes and unique pairing suggestions with Tequila Casa Dragones.

A Personalized Gift For Your Tequila Lover

Perfect for the tequila lover in your life with an eye for handcrafted quality, a personalized bottle of Tequila Casa Dragones Joven is the Valentine’s Day gift they will truly love. To personalize your gift, an expert calligrapher will hand-inscribe both of your names on the bottle’s label in beautiful, flowing calligraphy. This handcrafted gift with a personal touch is an elegant addition to their home bar, and can be enjoyed with friends, colleagues, and most importantly – can be shared and enjoyed together.

A Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner at Home

Bring the allure of a fine dining experience home to your loved one by turning dinner itself into a creative Valentine’s day gift with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven. Many of the world’s most accomplished chefs including Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin and Enrique Olvera of Cosme NY have harnessed their culinary creativity into crafting unique dishes paired specifically with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven. From shrimp and watermelon ceviche by chef Josefina López Mendez of Chapulin in Mexico City to cappuccino semifreddo desserts by Michelin Star chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry, browse through our select chef pairings to see their suggestions and find your own inspiration for the perfect dish to step up your cozy Valentine’s day dinner at home.

Creative Valentine’s Day Cocktail Ideas

Top mixologists from the US and Mexico have been inspired by the versatility of Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco to create their own signature cocktails of all flavors and styles. Get inspired by some of their original recipes here, including the colorful “Cielo Rojo,” an original creation by Jeff Bell of PDT, or the vermouth and chamomile infused “El 16,” by Mexican mixologist, Jose Luis Leon of Limantour to find the perfect cocktail with Casa Dragones Blanco for your Valentine’s Day.

The most recent dinner of the “2 Chefs” series hosted by Trois Mec in Los Angeles took place on October 26th and featured a sweet and savory dessert paired specifically with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven. Two internationally renowned chefs, French native and local chef of Trois Mec, Ludo Lefebvre joined forces with chef Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City’s Quintoil restaurant – #12 of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2016. Together, the chefs created an elaborate six course dinner served to over 50 guests in what can only be described as a culinary experience of epic proportions.

Each chef took ownership of three individual dishes, that were part of the larger six course menu. Because of Trois Mec’s open floor plan that allows full view into the kitchen from the dining room, the evening’s dinner guests were able to experience much more than just the dishes in front of them, as they could watch, listen, and interact with the chefs while they prepared the night’s dishes. The night’s sixth and final course was a sweet and savory rice pudding with twist of lime that was paired with a glass of Tequila Casa Dragones Joven which balanced the sharp citrus of the lime with the tequila’s delicate notes of pear and hints of vanilla.

Purchase Tequila Casa Dragones in time for the holidays here.

An elegant crowd including Mexican artist Jose Davila and actress Eva Longoria gathered in New York City for the 2016 Kardias Gala to celebrate the organization’s fantastic work and accomplishments in Mexican healthcare. Tequila Casa Dragones Joven was served during pre-dinner cocktails as the black tie crowd mingled throughout a private room in New York City’s Pratt House before sitting down for dinner prepared by chef Enrique Olvera of Cosme NYC. Throughout dinner glistening bottles of Tequila Casa Dragones Joven could be found on every table, and were even incorporated into the evening’s meal as a specialized pairing dish with the first course of seafood.

During dinner, guests were treated to a live musical performance by Mexican guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas and listened to informative and heartfelt address from Eva Longoria and others.

Learn more about Kardias and their dedicated mission to improve the lives of Mexico’s children who suffer from congenital heart defects here.

Purchase your Tequila Casa Dragones in time for the holidays online here.

Guests attending the Taste of Mexico event at The Mexican Cultural Institute of DC were treated to an intimate seated dinner and spirit pairing experience led by top Mexican sommelier Sandra Fernández and award-winning Mexican chef, Pati Jinich.

The culinary masterminds collaborated on a detailed menu that consisted of four individual dishes paired with a specific spirit selected by Sandra Fernández. Casa Dragones Joven was selected as the pairing of choice for the evening’s fifth and final dessert course – a light torta de cielo with sweet pumpkin seed ice cream and brittle.

Situated beneath a stately chandelier in The Mexican Cultural Institute’s banquet hall, the evening’s aesthetics and table decorations reflected the bright, dynamic characteristics of Mexican culture. Elegant wooden chairs with vibrant purple cushions surrounded one long table covered by a decorative tablecloth made of orange and red layers cut into the shape of autumn leaves.

Overall, the evening was a perfect visual and sensory experience to usher in the fall season and to explore the unique pairing of Casa Dragones Joven with an innovative dessert created by two of Mexico’s most talented culinary minds.

Mexican chef Matteo Salas prepared a beautiful 5 course Pairing Table Dinner to culminate the official opening celebrations of Casa Dragones Tasting Room. The meal, served to a group of 30 guests seated together at a tastefully rustic wooden table, included an array of dishes that were designed to pair perfectly with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven. Held in a recently converted portion of the Dos Casas Hotel, this celebratory Pairing Table Dinner was the very first event to take place in what has been named the “Dos Casas Garage,” and proved itself to be a minimalistic and innovative event space.

After each guest had taken their seat around the table, the first of Salas’ two cold dishes were served. Plates with creamy oysters topped with scallions and pickled beets were placed at each setting, and the evening’s meal was officially underway. Oysters have become a favorite amongst chefs who pair their meals with Casa Dragones Joven as the lingering saltiness from the ocean and texture of the meat balance well with the soft notes of pear that can be detected in Casa Dragones Joven. To harmonize with the 100% Blue Agave Tequila, Salas’ next dish included tender tuna belly served with sea urchin, capers, avocado and citrus.

As guests finished the last of the evening’s cold plates, Salas switched gears and prepared to plate the first of the night’s warm dishes. His third and final seafood dish included squid prepared in toasted butter and lemon before moving on to the night’s main entree of crispy pork with swiss chard, sweet potatoes and gastrique. His fifth and final dish was a dessert plate in which he treated guests to a lemon, coconut and vanilla burnt meringue.

Tequila Casa Dragones brought together renowned Australian chef, Paul Bentley, owner of Jalisco restaurant MAGNO Brasserie and notable Spanish pastry chef, Jesus Escalera, owner of La Postrería bakery, also in Jalisco. The two culinary masters delighted guests at La Casa Dragones in San Miguel de Allende with an evening consisting of 5 courses and two desserts inspired by the complex notes and aromas of Casa Dragones Joven. The intimate atmosphere with personalized bottles of Joven welcomed Chef Matteo Salas, Alberto Laposse, Donnie Masterton, Sally and Roy Azar, Regine and Francois Sicart and Sandra Vázquez to an unforgettable evening. Guests’ palates were spoiled with carefully crafted dishes like Tartine Rhubarb and goat’s cheese and a caramel sphere filled with foamed yogurt, sprinkled with flowers and seasonal fruits.

Tequila Casa Dragones hosted an elegant dinner with Ryan Seacrest at Bouchon in Los Angeles, a three-Michelin star restaurant owned by famed Chef Thomas Keller. Chef de Cuisine, Dave Hands, delighted guests with three classic French courses paired exclusively with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven, such as Oysters with Tokyo Turnip & Meyer Lemon Purée, Salade de Cresson et d’Endives, and Tartare de Saumon. A Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco signature cocktail, the “Otoño Verde,” was also crafted for this special event by head sommelier, Andrew Adelson, who complemented the smooth citrus notes of Casa Dragones Blanco with Green Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino, and lime juice.

Chef Ricardo Munoz Zurita from Mexico City’s Azul Condesa paired one of the most iconic dishes in Mexican cuisine, Chiles en Nogada with Tequila Casa Dragones Joven. Discover more select chef pairings by top chefs from the U.S and Mexico here.

Tequila Casa Dragones was very proud to be the Official Tequila of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, held for the very first time in Mexico City, honoring the finest chefs and restaurants in Latin America. This year, Casa Dragones was served at the honorary Chefs Feast the day before the awards ceremony, held at Club de Banqueros. Tequila Casa Dragones Joven was paired with a tantalizing red snapper, shrimp, scallops and octopus appetizer, complimented with strawberries, passion fruit and chili.

During the award ceremony held at Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso, Casa Dragones was displayed at an exclusive bar, where Latin America’s culinary elite celebrated their wins by enjoying Casa Dragones Joven Sipping Tequila and Casa Dragones Blanco on the rocks.

Congratulations to all the winners, and especially to our Mexican friends who took home awards, including Enrique Olvera of Pujol, Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil, Elena Reygadas of Rosetta, Martha Ortiz of Dulce Patria, Chapa Mikel Alonso, Gerard Bellver and Bruno Oteiza of Biko, Guillermo González Beristán of Pangea, Juan Pareja of Amaranta, Edgar Núñez of Sud 777, Eduardo García of Maximo Bistrot, and Gerardo Vázquez Lugo of Nicos. Casa Dragones was honored to take part in this historic event celebrating Mexican culinary excellence.

Gearing up to celebrate Latin American culinary excellence next week at the ‪#‎LatAm50Best‬ with Casa Dragones, the beloved tequila of the culinary industry. Discover more here.

At Moxi Restaurant in San Miguel de Allende, renowned Mexican chefs Enrique Olvera and Alejandro Ruiz created an exquisite and original multi-course dinner paired with Casa Dragones Joven as part of their collaborative Supper Club menu. Hotel Matilda hosts the Supper Club at Moxi several times a year, bringing guest chefs to cook with Chef Enrique Olvera, who enjoys international recognition for his restaurant, Pujol, which holds the #16 spot on the San Pellegrino list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Guest Chef Alejandro Ruiz is widely known as the authority on Oaxacan cuisine, and his dining room in the Casa Oaxaca Hotel earned a spot on the 2014 San Pellegrino list of the 50 Best Restaurants of Latin America.

The two leading chefs created an imaginative culinary experience for their guests, pairing Casa Dragones Joven with Creamy Coconut, Nicuatole and Lemon Granita.

For the fifth year in a row, Casa Dragones hosted what has become one of the most highly anticipated parties of the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. Top chefs, media and industry insiders such as Michelle Bernstein, Gail Simmons, Eric Ripert, George Mendes, Michael White and Drew Nieporent gathered around a striking display of Casa Dragones Joven Sipping Tequila paired with an extraordinary selection of oysters by Caribou Club. The bright, crisp, citrus notes of Casa Dragones Joven paired beautifully with the creamy, briny flavors of the oysters, allowing guests to share in a moment of pure indulgence.

Adding to the excitement, celebrity chef Scott Conant and award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan of PDT collaborated during a jamming session, in which they joined together to create an original Casa Dragones Blanco cocktail inspired by summers on the Italian coast. A variety of specialty ingredients were provided for Conant and Meehan to spontaneously craft a cocktail featuring Casa Dragones Blanco along with aperitif, basil leaf and rosé, which they named “Miranda.”

In between taking photo booth snaps and dancing to DJ Rawdon’s music selections, guests tasted flavorful bites from the Caribou Club such as bison sliders, spicy tuna & crispy rice, lobster rolls and truffle fries.

Until next year!

The secret is out – as tastemakers continue to discover everything Mexico has to offer, Mexico City is becoming the world’s next ‘it’ destination.

Vogue calls Mexico City “The Coolest Megalopolis in the World.” Next time you visit Mexico City, sip Casa Dragones alongside elegant pairings at some of our favorite locations – Roma’s Contramar, Enrique Olvera’s Pujol, Puebla 109, and Melody Nelson. We also recommend Dulce Patria, Rosetta, and Chapulin.

See more pairings from top Mexico City restaurants, and discover where you can enjoy Casa Dragones in Mexico City.