Wes Smoot 8/26/22 Wes Smoot 8/26/22

Thank Me Later: De Nada Tequila- Product Review

I first heard about De Nada Tequila from a New York City Pride party hosted at Skylark. Andy Cohen was one of the many names in attendance and while I was upset that I couldn't make it, there seemed to be a silver lining. Our friends at Deussen were kind enough to send some bottles of the reposado to our team in Texas. I figured since they put us back in the Pride spirit I should return the favor by giving our readers a taste in the form of a review. Pinky’s up, now sip… (literally)

De Nada is a high-quality, sipping tequila. While you can make an exceptional margarita with this delicious spirit, it is very much one I would recommend enjoying with a single piece of ice. Personally, with both quality bourbon and tequila, I prefer to allow the drink to breath and the ice cube to melt ever so slightly. This allows your bevie the opportunity to oxygenate and can even shave off the little bite that, let’s face it, comes with even the highest-quality liquors. Either way, I guarantee you will not be needing salt and a lime chaser for this one.

The reposado we enjoyed had palate notes of vanilla, caramel and cinnamon. Breathe deep and you’ll find alluring aromas of peach. I know… yum!

However, if you’re one who must mix a drink (maybe you’re not in the mood for a stiff one), I suggest a variation on a classic. The Old Fashioned.

Moda Classico (Old Fashioned)

You’ll need:

2 orange peel
2 bing cherries (optional)
1 tbsp agave nectar
3 ounces De Nada Tequila
2 dashes orange bitters

The only thing basic about this cocktail is mixing it.

Add small cube ice to a tall glass and mix in your De Nada Tequila with the agave nectar. Next add dashes of orange bitters and stir thoroughly. Once the drink is ice cold, strain the contents into a low ball glass. You’ll garnish with an orange peel and in the case you’re feeling really festive, throw in a couple of bing cherries.

This drink is ideal for pre-gaming. And if you spend the rest of the evening ordering watered-down vodka soda at least you can say you spent part of the night being classy. But in all seriousness, we need to put a little more thought and effort into what we’re consuming. As my late friend Stephen Moser once said: “Alcohol should enhance the atmosphere, not kidnap it.” Wise words that I wholeheartedly agree with. One thing for sure, when your friends try this libation I guarantee they’ll be thanking you for taking the extra time to add something special to the evening- to that you can respond swiftly with… De Nada.

Wes Smoot 6/29/22 Wes Smoot 6/29/22

Andy Cohen’s Pride Party with MUJEN and DE-NADA at The Skylark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Andy Cohen attends the celeb-filled Pride Day celebration with MUJEN SPIRITS and DE-NADA TEQUILA at The Skylark on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, June 23, 2022—The Skylark, Midtown West’s elevated bar and lounge with New York City’s most breathtaking 30th-floor views, today announces its PRIDE Day Celebration on Sunday, June 26, 2022 (4pm-9pm), hosted by Andy Cohen.

The invitation-only gala event includes an open bar servingspecialty cocktails by Master Mixologist Johnny Swet, featuring DE-NADA Additive-Free Tequila and MUJEN Spirits – a new premium line of Japanese shochu introduced to the marketplace this year; passed bar bites by premier caterer Abigail Kirsch; DJ Timothy Lucent spinning tunes; as well as exclusive merchandise by Bloomingdale’s.

Located in Manhattan’s historic Garment District, The Skylark is the brainchild of hospitality veteran David Rabin and premier catering and hospitality group Abigail Kirsch. It is an all-season, multi-level indoor/outdoor destination for sophisticated cocktails during the week and private events on weekends.

“PRIDE is something very close to our hearts here at The Skylark, and we can see this becoming an annual celebration and the premier post-PRIDE Parade event,” says Anthony Simone, General Manager, The Skylark. “We are making sure to pull out all the stops to make this the most epic PRIDE event in New York City, and one that benefits a very worthy cause.”

All proceeds from the joyous, high-energy PRIDE Day Celebration, which includes a silent auction, will benefit The Ali Forney Center in New York, which protects LGBTQ youth from homelessness. In addition, until the end of July at The Skylark, a portion of proceeds from cocktails made with DE-NADA Tequila and MUJEN Spirits will benefit the organization.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: DE-NADA Tequila is served at Andy Cohen's celeb-filled Pride Day celebration with MUJEN SPIRITS and DE-NADA TEQUILA at The Skylark on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

The Skylark’s PRIDE cocktails include:

De’Perfect Paloma

2 oz DE-NADA Blanco Tequila

1.5 oz grapefruit juice

0.5 oz lime juice

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain into a highball glass over ice and stir in grapefruit soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge sprinkled with salt.

Tokyo Lemonade

2 oz MUJEN Original or MUJEN Ai

1 oz lemon juice

0.75 oz simple syrup (3 parts sugar, 2 parts water)

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain into a Collins glass over ice and stir in 3 oz of soda water. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Just the Prick Margarita

1 oz MUJEN Original or MUJEN Ai

1 oz DE-NADA Blanco Tequila

2 oz prickly pear purée

0.75 oz lime juice

0.5 oz orange juice

0.5 oz agave nectar

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.