Before one of our first trips to Mexico perhaps five or six years ago I had never had a Margarita in my life. I liked scotch and that's all I drank.
Well after that first pitcher I was hooked. When we arrived home my wife started experimenting with different recipes for the perfect Margarita. After trying a few other Tequilas we have found a friend in Jose Cuervo Especial.
The Bottle
The bottle has Jose's signature on it so I know I have his real deal that has its roots in Mexico. The bottle I have in front of me was imported and bottled in Stamford Connecticut. I was surprised to see I can get a fifteen cent deposit back on this bottle in the states of Maine and Vermont. I'll have to get that cash on my vacation to Maine next month.
The yellow label with red trim tells me that this product is 40% alcohol by volume. Two days ago my wife had her traditional Margarita Party with her colleagues celebrating the beginning of summer. She finished all our regular stock but a kind friend had brought over this 750 ml bottle. The label on this bottle also indicates this company was founded in 1795. Mmm, Now I wonder if that really is an original signature or a copy of Jose's script?
Their Recipe
The back of the bottle has the recipe for
The Perfect Cuervo Margarita
1 Part Cuervo Especial Tequila
3 Parts Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix
1/2 Cup (or more) crushed ice
Whip in blender or shake wildly until drink gets a slushy, frothy consistency. Perfect!
Now my wife has tried a few different mixes and we are very happy with a particular one. More later.
The Product
The clear bottle presents the yellow/gold contents of the bottle. Though I rarely have this brand straight I will tell you that it has a slightly sweet aroma that is filled with the smell of ashes like from a wood fire.
The taste continues with that "ashy" taste but a bite of the alcohol fills the nasal passages and a slightly perfumy taste comes to mind. The finish is clean but a slight oily residue sticks to the tongue. Each taste thereafter resonates more of the ashy flavour as my mouth gets used to the alcohol content.
The taste really is not that good to me and you won't be seeing me drinking it straight.
I'll also note that I do feel the alcohol in this product quite soon after ingesting my first few sips. It's a good feeling I get from this stuff.
My wifes Perfect "Easy" Margarita.
"On the Border" Frozen Margarita Mix (it comes in a bucket)
Remove the bag, open and pour out contents.
Add 750 ml. of Cuervo Especial Tequila
Let freeze overnight.
The next day prepare course salted rim on glass and ladle in contents. This does not have that slurpy slush consistency. It's more like a granulated ice and it keeps the drink cold and flavourful but not like a frozen drink from one of those bar cooler machines.
Add in a splash of room temperature Cointreau. (This helps break down a bit of the ice and adds an additional sweet taste.)
Then my wife adds another splash of the Cuervo Gold. (This is what makes hers a bit more potent than others. She always gets remarks at her party about how good the drinks are and how potent they can be.)
In Closing
I like this product in our Margaritas. I don't like it straight. The price is not bad and its a product we can find anywhere and everywhere. When we are at a bar we ask for Cuervo Gold in our Margaritas. When I have this on the rocks, salted glass, I like to have a side car of Grand Marnier with it.
If you ever try my wifes "Easy" Margarita...
...Enjoy!!
Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix
Cointreau Liqueur
Grand Marnier 
