For just about as long as anyone has been keeping score, the margarita has been America’s favorite cocktail. Despite a lot of variations in ingredients and quantities, in its essence the margarita is a pretty simple mixture of tequila, citrus and sweetener.
But the traditional Mexican presentation of the drink is in the form of three separate components, not made like a cocktail but presented individually with you combining them in your mouth. The colors of the Bandera represent the colors of the Mexican flag: green, white and red. In fact the word bandera in Spanish means flag.
Like the colors of Carnival, each of the colors of the Mexican flag and the drink, Bandera, has meaning. Green stands for joy and love; white for purity and peace; red for bravery and strength.
The latest dining project from The Taste Buds, the same team that brought you Zea Restaurants, is Mizado, newly constructed and just opened on the corner of Metairie Road and Pontchartrain Expressway. The Bandera is their signature cocktail.
For those of you who are cocktail-making challenged, here is your shot at success – no mixing required.
Bandera
2 ounces each, in separate glasses:
freshly squeezed lime juice, a palate cleanser; tequila, silver grade; and Sangrita.
The last ingredient, Sangrita, is a little tricky since most Bandera lovers won’t reveal even one of the essential items in the mix, nor do they disclose quantities. But Sangrita is orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, lime juice and a secret blend of peppers and spices.
We did manage to learn that dried chili peppers play a key role. After that, you’re on your own to create your Sangrita for your Bandera, or let the gang at Mizado do it for you.
As featured at Mizado Cocina, 5080 Pontchartrain Blvd.