Pearquila: A Mellow Cocktail for a Tequila-Fueled Fall

For most of New York’s recent run, the city has been a wasteland for Mexican. Limp “Tex-Mex” burritos made by Chinese people and a stray taco truck or two was about the best we could do. Not this fall, though. Tequila and tacos are suddenly haute. Mayahuel led things off in the spring, and Su Casa, Cantina Latina, and Los Feliz are right on its heels. This on top of recent Mexi hits like Mercadito and La Esquina. Why now?

It could be the economy. We tend to associate Mexico with the louche, if not the cut-rate. Maybe people feel more comfortable echoing their South of the Border spending habits. Or it could just be the taste—Mexican flavors are hard to beat, and our new fleet of tequila and mezcal bars are teaching us there’s a lot more to the agave plant than Jose Cuervo. In honor of the trend, here’s a simple recipe for a mellow tequila cocktail. The combination of lime, pear sparkler, and tequila gives the drink a golden shade that seems right for the first month of what might be a tequila-fueled season. Even if your first name isn’t Tila.

Pearquila
● 1 shot tequila
● 4 shots sparkling pear juice
● juice of half a lime
Chill the pear sparkler and combine with the lime and tequila. Pour half a portion into a martini glass. Garnish with lime or pear sliver. Sip slow.