Details on China Poblano's Tequila & Mezcal Fest

More details surfaced about the China Poblano Tequila & Mezcal Festival March 12-25 from José Andrés. The festival at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas features informational and complimentary tastings open to the public and more intimate dinners complete with tequila and mezcal tastings with experts on hand. A list of innovative cocktails paired with a menu from chef Shirley Chung highlights the flavors of Oaxaca and Jalisco in Mexico

During the first week of the festival starting March 12, mezcal gets highlighted with Ron Cooper of Del Maguey on hand Wednesday, March 14, for a tasting open to the public from 5-7 p.m., and then a reserved dinner at 7:30 p.m. The dinner is priced at $100 with beverages included.

Then during the second week beginning March 19, tequila gets its turn with Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo of Casa Noble coming in Friday, March 23, for a tasting open to the public from 5-7 p.m., and a reserved dinner at 7:30 p.m. The dinner is priced at $100 per person with beverages.

Can’t make either of the special dinners? China Poblano has special bar antojitos in salty, spicy and acidic flavors. The menu of small plates served at the bar include alas de pollo con salsa naranja, chicken wings in a sauce of orange, olives spices and chile pequin, ranging in price from $9 to $18.

Look for dishes from the Jalisco region such as:

Sopes de ostiones, a traditional corn flour cake topped with an oyster, tomato salsa, lettuce and queso fresco;

Pozole de camarón, shrimp and hominy soup with Hawaiian blue prawns, guajillo and ancho chilies, served with garnishes of onion cabbage and sliced radishes

Lomo de cerdo relleno con chorizo en mole manchamanteles, chorizo stuffed pork loin with a mole of almonds, chilies, tomatoes, plantains and pineapple

From Oaxaca Chung created tortitas de patas de puerco, crispy pork trotters served with a salsa of tomatillos, avocado, serrano peppers, and cilantro.

Libations featuring mezcal include the Oaxacan Swizzle made with Del Maguey Mezcal "Vida," ruby port, fresh pressed apples, lime, ginger and house made orange bitters and the El Bahio made with Sombra Mezcal, roasted pineapple juice, lemon and cardamom.

Drinks starring tequila include the Mexican Tailor made with house-infused "Gin-quila" fresh pressed apples, lemon and spanked basil; the Gin-quila & Tonic made with house-infused “Gin-quila” with epazote-lime ice and tonic; and the El Pescador made with Casa Noble Tequila three ways, fresh grapefruit juice, curacao, maraschino liqueur, honey and velvet falernum.

For reservations, call 702-698-7900.
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