National Margarita Day: Taco Cabana’s Big Red Margarita, Delicious Cocktail Recipes & Top Margaritas By State

Taco Cabana’s iconic margarita featuring Big Red. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

National Margarita Day, celebrated on February 22, is a beloved occasion for cocktail enthusiasts, particularly fans of the refreshing margarita. This vibrant holiday offers a chance to honor the iconic drink, typically made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, enjoyed in various styles from classic to frozen. For many, it’s a fun, festive day to gather with friends, explore different variations, and savor their favorite margarita concoctions. Bars and restaurants often offer special deals, making it a go-to event for those seeking to indulge in the tangy, citrusy goodness of one of the world’s most popular cocktails.

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With National Margarita Day around the corner, they are celebrating by revealing America’s favorite margaritas. By using Google Trends, they found the most sought after margaritas in each state.

Here are the top 5 margaritas:

Skinny margaritas
Classic margaritas
Spicy margaritas
White Christmas margaritas and virgin margaritas
Mistletoe margaritas, pomegranate margaritas, and frozen margaritas

See the full study here, along with details on which margarita each state prefers and a fun infographic.

If you’re a fan of Taco Cabana, margaritas, and Big Red in Texas, Taco Cabana (TC) is excited to announce the return of its Margarita featuring Big Red just in time to celebrate National Margarita Day (February 22). The margarita will be a limited-time offering that blends two Texas favorites: Taco Cabana’s classic margaritas and Big Red’s iconic soda. (Taco Cabana, 2025)

In collaboration with the team at Keurig Dr Pepper, Taco Cabana has crafted a one-of-a-kind, innovative experience to give margarita lovers a delicious new twist on the classic margarita. Guests can purchase this offering in the following sizes:

Single Serving – Perfect for a quick, refreshing drink.
Margarita Yard – For those who want to indulge in the ultimate margarita experience.

Taco Cabana’s Margarita featuring Big Red will be available starting Friday, February 21 just ahead of the holiday for a limited time only. Guests must be 21+ to purchase. Margaritas must be purchased alongside a food item at Taco Cabana.

Menu items are available for in-restaurant dining, drive-thru, online ordering for front counter or curbside pick-up, and through the MY TC!® App or TacoCabana.com for mobile orders..

National Margarita Day: Saturday, February 22, 2025
*Available starting February 21 just ahead of the holiday
**Available for a limited time only

If you prefer to make them at home, here are some recipes from Cantera Negra Tequila, including a cult classic, winter twist and traditional margarita. Cantera Negra is additive-free and celebrity-free ultra-premium tequila made from 100% fully mature blue weber agave, hand-crafted in small batch quantities from 40 years of family tradition in Mexico and sourced from rich volcanic soil.

Their award-winning portfolio of additive-free tequilas includes Silver, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo, and Café, premium coffee liqueur known for its distinctive character and refined taste. Their aged tequilas are aged longer than standard and perfect for both sipping and cocktails in the colder months – check out Reposado in the Winter Marg recipe below. (Cantera Negra Tequila, 2025)

Winter Marg

Let every sip warm you up from the inside out. A perfect combination of Cantera Negra Reposado, fresh lime and blood orange juice, complemented by a flavorful winter spice rim.

Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila
- 0.5 part Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 part Fresh blood orange juice
- 0.5 part Agave syrup
- 0.75 tsp Vanilla extract
Directions:
- Rim a rocks glass with winter spice mix.* Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into prepped rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
- *Winter spice mix: .5 tsp salt, .5 tsp sugar, .25 tsp cinnamon, and .25 tsp chili powder

Tommy’s Margarita

This go-to cult classic is known as a “Tommy’s Margarita” and is a bartender favorite.

Ingredients:
- 2 parts Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
- 1 part Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 part Agave nectar
- Blood orange slice for garnish
Instructions – Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a half salt rimmed rocks glass and garnish with blood orange slice.

Cantera Margarita

Traditional margarita recipe but with orange bitters to give a nice orange essence without any added sugar.

Ingredients:
- 2 parts Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
- 1 part Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 parts Agave syrup
- Orange bitters
Instructions – Shake and strain over ice in double rocks glass. Add 2 dashes of orange bitters.

Cantera Margarita. Photo: Cantera Negra Tequila, used with permission.

Diversifying your plate: tips for introducing new foods to your diet

Woman in purple eating. Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels, used with permission.

We often stick to the tried and tested when it comes to our dietary habits. However, opening up your taste buds to new flavors not only broadens your culinary horizons but gives you a range of health benefits. Here are five strategies to break the monotony and introduce new foods to your diet effectively.

Start Small: Embrace Baby Steps

Introducing new foods into your diet can feel like a culinary adventure. To make this journey smooth and enjoyable, it’s essential to start with small servings. Our palate sometimes needs time to adjust to unfamiliar flavors and small portions can make this adjustment period more manageable.

Imagine you’ve stumbled across a tantalizing lamb burgers recipe, and you’re eager to give it a try. Go all-in and prepare a full meal around this new dish; or you could consider starting with just a mini burger or two, pairing them with familiar side dishes. This step-by-step approach allows your taste buds to familiarize themselves with the new flavors gradually, enhancing your chances of developing a liking for the new food.

Pair With Favorites: Use The Trojan Horse Method

Pairing new foods with your all-time favorites can be a smart way to experiment. This technique not only enhances the flavor profile of your dishes but also makes the unfamiliar, more familiar.

You might love your grilled chicken and use it regularly in your salads. So, when introducing a new vegetable like kale, pair it with your grilled chicken salad. The familiar taste of chicken can help mask the bitterness of kale, aiding your taste buds to get accustomed to it.

Explore Cultural Dishes: The World Is Your Oyster

Every culture has a unique culinary repertoire that can open a whole new world of flavors. Exploring international cuisines not only widens your food choices but also exposes you to a range of nutritious options.

Japanese cuisine, for example, is known for its use of seafood and fermented foods that are excellent for gut health. On the other hand, Mediterranean cuisine utilizes a plethora of fresh vegetables, legumes, and olive oil, which are renowned for heart health. So why not try a traditional Greek moussaka or an Indian lentil curry and bring the world to your kitchen?

Engage Your Senses: Make Eating A Mindful Activity

Mindful eating is a powerful strategy to accept new foods. Paying attention to the colors, smells, and textures of your food can enhance your overall eating experience.

Think of it as a sensory exploration. Say, for a new fruit like dragon fruit, observe its vibrant color, feel its leathery skin, smell its fresh aroma, and then take a bite. This sensory engagement can make the unfamiliar food more appealing and enjoyable.

Be Patient: Accept That It’s A Process

The journey of diversifying your plate is a gradual process. It’s completely natural to not like a new food the first time you try it. Research suggests it may take up to 15 times of trying a new food before you develop a liking for it. So, don’t give up on the first try.

Remember, every step you take towards introducing new foods to your diet is a victory. And over time, your palate will grow to appreciate the variety, leading to a more nourishing and satisfying eating experience.

To sum it up, introducing new foods to your diet doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By following these tips, you can gradually expand your culinary landscape, making your meals not just healthier, but also more interesting and enjoyable.

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Time saving recipes you are sure to love

These recipes include something for everyone. Photo: Google

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, finding the time to cook wholesome meals can seem like an impossible task. Yet, with a few tricks up your sleeve and a repertoire of quick, delicious recipes, you can create meals that save time and satisfy your palate. To prove the point, here are some time-saving recipes that you are sure to love, including a comforting slow cooker beef stroganoff.

1. Slow cooker beef stroganoff
The slow cooker is a boon for anyone looking for time-saving recipes. This beef stroganoff recipe, is perfect for a stress-free dinner. With ingredients like stew meat, fresh mushrooms, Italian seasoning, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, and pasta, you’re all set for a hearty meal. And best of all, you don’t need to do much more than add the ingredients to the slow cooker and turn it on, adding pasta or rice later on. It’s so simple, creamy, and delicious, you will soon be adding it to your regular rotation.

2. Quick vegetable stir-fry
Vegetable stir-fry is another time-saving recipe, ready in 20 minutes. It’s versatile, healthy, and can be tailored to suit your taste buds. Grab a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas. Sauté these in a pan with olive oil, minced garlic, and ginger. Add your favorite stir-fry sauce and toss everything until well-coated and cooked. Serve this over steamed rice or noodles for a quick, balanced meal.

3. Sheet pan salmon and asparagus
Sheet pan meals save time on preparation and clean-up. One delightful combination includes salmon fillets and asparagus. Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with foil. Place your salmon fillets and asparagus on to the sheet pan. Drizzle with a big glug of olive oil and a light sprinkle of whatever seasonings you prefer. Roast in the oven until the fish is cooked through and the asparagus is tender. It’s a high-protein, low-carb meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook.

4. Pasta Primavera
Pasta Primavera, brimming with fresh summer vegetables, is a delightful, time-saving recipe that’s perfect for busy evenings. It’s versatile, vibrant, and ready in just 20 minutes. You’ll need pasta of your choice, summer vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Then it’s just a matter of boiling your pasta as you heat olive oil in a large pan, and sauté minced garlic until it’s fragrant. Add in your chopped vegetables, and cook them until they’re tender yet crisp. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for seasoning.

Once the pasta is cooked, simply drain it, but keep some of the pasta water. Combine the cooked pasta with the vegetables in the pan, tossing them together. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to moisten the dish. Top with grated parmesan and a few basil leaves and you will have a deliciously satisfying dish to enjoy.

These time-saving recipes prove that cooking doesn’t need to be time-consuming or complicated to yield delicious results. So, what are you waiting for? Time to hit the kitchen.

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Festive drinks for Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Smirnoff ICE Preparadas. Photo: Chris Perez, used with permission.

Cinco de Mayo is this Friday, and if you are looking for cocktail ideas for your get together, here are two of them. (Giant Noise, 2023)

Cantina Margarita:

Austin-based CANTEEN Spirits launched a Mexican-inspired, margarita-style hard seltzer in February 2023. It is currently available throughout Texas with national distribution coming soon. Dubbed the Cantina Margarita, the new seltzer is available in three flavors — original (margarita), strawberry, and mango. Each 12-oz can contains only 110 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram net carbs and is brewed at 6% alc/vol, higher than most big brand hard seltzers. Unlike their previous lines, the Cantina Margarita is made with alcohol produced from cane sugar, a departure from the company’s spirit-based model.

“After carefully examining the current RTD market, we saw the popularity of hard seltzers declining, with one exception: Mexican-inspired cocktails like margaritas and agua frescas are still growing, and doing so at a rapid pace. Expanding from spirit based RTDs into the hard seltzer realm was a natural evolution for CANTEEN.” said CANTEEN’s co-founder and CEO, Brandon Cason.

CANTEEN Spirits’ new Cantina Margarita-Style Hard Seltzer. Photo: CANTEEN Spirits, used with permission.

Smirnoff ICE Preparada:

The Smirnoff ICE Preparada is over-the-top, bright, and colorful, just like Cinco de Mayo. It showcases an array of ingredients and flavors and is endlessly customizable. Made from a refreshing combo of Smirnoff ICE, fresh chopped fruit, chamoy, chili salt, and spicy/sour Mexican candies, the drink was first popularized at drive-thru daiquiri shops in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.

Preparadas skyrocketed in popularity at San Antonio’s iconic Fiesta celebrations in 2011 and have been a staple of the city-wide party ever since. They are now regularly enjoyed at bars, restaurants and festivals throughout Texas in the spring and summer months. Here is a recipe to make one of your own at home:

Ingredients

1 (one) 11.2 oz bottle of Smirnoff ICE (Original, Spicy Tamarind or Green Apple flavor)
1 oz chamoy
chili salt (for rim)
1/2 cup diced pineapple
1/2 cup diced strawberries
sour gummies, and Mexican candies
1 package dried chili mango
1 bamboo skewer

Instructions

Rim your favorite glass with chamoy and chili salt
Fill glass with ice
Add in diced pineapple and strawberry
Fill glass with your favorite flavor of Smirnoff ICE
Top with sour gummies and Mexican candies.
Drizzle chamoy over gummies and candies
Garnish with skewer of fruit, candies, and chamoy

Raise a glass to the holiday season with Bahnbrëcker Hefeweizen Whiskey

Bahnbrëcker’s Slow River Blend. Photo: Bahnbrëcker, used with permission.

Bahnbrëcker is a new spirits brand founded by an eclectic group of friends who wanted to pay tribute to their unique Texas town of New Braunfels. The town was founded by German pioneers in 1845 where the Comal and Guadalupe rivers meet. What better way to capture the spirit of New Braunfels, they thought, than with an easy drinking craft whiskey. They called it Bahnbrëcker, meaning ‘trailblazer’ in German, and like New Braunfels, it is a quirky combination of German engineering and Texan swagger. (Bahnbrëcker, 2021)

Slow River Blend, Bahnbrëcker’s first launched product, is a smooth Hefeweizen-Style Whiskey distilled from Texan and Midwestern winter wheats with notes of lemon peel, clove, caramel, and vanilla. The uniqueness of the Hefeweizen flavorings makes for a perfect gift for cocktail enthusiasts looking to expand their profile. Slow River Blend is available for nationwide shipping. Bahnbrëcker is co-founded by country music star Randy Rogers, Eric Chase, Cary Schindler, Ash Wineinger, Michael Devers, and spirits-industry veteran Steve Luttmann.

See below for cocktail recipes that are sure to be the star of any holiday party.

Cocktail Name: Only on the Weekends

Ingredients:
• 2oz. Bahnbrëcker Slow River Blend Whiskey
• .75oz. lemon juice
• .75oz. simple syrup
• 1 bar spoon raspberry preserves
• 1 bar spoon cranberry preserves
• Ice

Preparation:
• Add raspberry and cranberry compote to bottom of rocks glass
• Add ice to glass
• Pour remaining ingredients over the ice
• Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint sprig

Cocktail Name: Mr. Claus’ Rock

Ingredients:
• 2oz. Bahnbrëcker Slow River Blend Whiskey
• .25oz. Shiner Holiday Cheer simple syrup
o Equal parts Shiner Holiday Cheer and sugar
• 4 dashes angostura bitters
• Orange zest
• Ice

Preparation:
• Create a Shiner Holiday Cheer simple syrup
o In a medium saucepan add Shiner Holiday Cheer and bring to a boil.
o Slowly add in an equal amount of sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved completely
• Add ice to a rocks glass and pour Slow River Blend, angostura bitters and Shiner Holiday Cheer syrup and stir
• Top with an orange zest garnish

Gift guide and cocktail mixes from Twang

Twang has gift ideas and cocktail mix recipes perfect for the holiday season. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Twang is a manufacturer of premium flavored salts, seasonings, cocktail mixes and more based in Texas. This year, Twang is sharing several festive holiday cocktail recipes and gift giving suggestions to make holiday preparations easy. (Twang, 2021)

The company’s line of products make perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for foodies and cocktail enthusiasts alike and can be shipped nationwide. See below for holiday-themed cocktails from Twang that can be made at home and a list of Twang’s products and where they can be purchased, including some Amazon Prime options for quick shipping.

Cocktail recipes:

Pomegranate Moscow Mule Recipe

Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. premium vodka
- .5 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3 ounces of pomegranate juice
- Crushed ice
- Ginger beer
- Copper mug
- Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
- One fresh lime
- One mint sprig
Preparation:
- Rim a copper mug with Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
- Add crushed ice to the mug
- Combine 1.5 oz of premium vodka, .5 oz. of fresh lime juice, and 3 oz. of pomegranate juice and add to the mug
- Top off with ginger beer
- Garnish with lime and mint sprig

Sugar and Spice Recipe

**recipe courtesy of Owner/Bartender Aaron Peña of Amor Eterno in San Antonio, TX

Ingredients:
- Twang-A-Rita Sunrise Spice
- 3/4 oz cranberry juice
- 3/4 cinnamon simple syrup
- .25 oz allspice liqueur
- 2oz bourbon
- Garnish with dried cranberries in the cocktail

Twang Cranberry Mimosa Recipe

Ingredients:
- Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
- Simple syrup
- 1 part Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka
- 2 parts cranberry juice
- 1 part brut champagne
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
Preparation:
- Place Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime on a small plate. Rim glasses with simple syrup then press rims into the Twang-A-Rita.
- Pour Deep Eddy Cranberry in a champagne flute, then pour cranberry juice and top with champagne.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with cranberries. Enjoy wildly!

Gift ideas:

Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix – Twang’s michelada mix formula is 85% juice-based and uses all natural ingredients including a seven-vegetable blend, organic Worcestershire sauce, ancho chilies, real lime juice, and no preservatives or corn syrup. The mix comes in three flavors: Classic, Spicy and Pickle. The Spicy Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix includes notes of serrano peppers and extra hot sauce to give it an additional kick, while the Pickle Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix is made with real dill and cucumber to give it an authentic pickle flavor.

Where to buy:
- From Twang
- Amazon Prime
Twang’s Price:
mixes (available in all flavors): $7.00
Classic Michelada Mix: $13.00

Beer Salt – Inspired by the Mexican trend of salting the rim of beer bottles, cans, or glasses, the Twang family helped bring the trend to the US in the 1980s. Now anyone can add a little kick or extra flavoring to their favorite brew. Twang offers beer salt in Lemon Lime, Michelada, Pickle and Lime flavors.

Where to buy:
- From Twang
- Amazon Prime
Twang’s Price:
- Beer Salt Variety Pack (6ct): $12.00
- Pickle Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00
- Lime Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00
- Lemon-Lime Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00
- Michelada Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00

Twang-a-Rita – Twang-A-Rita is a line of premium cocktail rimmer blends for cocktail enthusiasts who desire a uniquely flavored, resealable and authentic product. The product is available in the following flavors: Classic, Citrusplash, Sunrise Spice, Nectarberry, Unwind Lime, Paloma Love and Safari Spice.

Where to buy:
- From Twang
- Amazon Prime
Twang’s Price:
- Individual packs (all flavors): $4.00
- Twang-a-Rita Classic tub: $4.00
- Twang-a-Rita Fruit Pack (3ct): $10.00
- Twang-a-Rita Cocktail Pack (3ct): $10.00

Twangerz – Twangerz are bold, flavorful, granular blends that can be eaten by themselves as a treat or topped on an assortment of fun food and snacks. The seasoning is available in Lemon Lime, Chile Lime, Mango Chile, Pickle Punch, Hot Pickle, Sriracha, Clamato Chili-Lime, and Lime flavors.

Where to buy:
- From Twang
- Amazon Prime
Twang’s Price:
- Twangerz (3ct) (Lime, Chile Lime, Mango Chile, Hot Pickle, Pickle, Lemon-Lime, Sriracha): $7.00
- Clamato Chili-Lime Salt (3ct): $6.00
- Twangerz Variety Pack (5ct): $10.00

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Antonio

La Panadería’s Pan de Muerto. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

Día de los Muertos is right around the corner and the San Antonio Museum of Art, La Panadería, and Twang are helping San Antonians embrace the holiday. (San Antonio Museum of Art, La Panadería, 2021)

San Antonio Museum of Art – Día de los Muertos Family Day
The San Antonio Museum of Art is hosting a Touch-Free Family Day celebrating Día de los Muertos on Sunday, November 7, 2021. From 11a.m. to 3p.m., families can explore the Latin American galleries with a bilingual, self-paced scavenger hunt and learn more about Día de los Muertos with a link to a story time video. Kids can also decorate a traditional sugar skull and craft tissue paper cempasúchil (marigolds). The best part is that it is free for SAISD students and families.

Link for art activity video demonstrations, virtual story time, and self-guided gallery walk available in the art kit. Art kits are first come, first served.

La Panadería – Pan de Muerto
Highlighting Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” La Panadería will offer their classic Día de Los Muertos pan dulce like Pan De Muerto and specialty pan dulce boxes starting October 15, 2021. Guests can order their family-sized Pan de Muerto online or in-store, with pickup available from October 28 – 31, 2021.

Día de los Muertos Cocktail from Twang
WAKE THE DEAD cocktail
Single serving: Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
1oz. Bourbon
1oz. Gin
.5 oz. simple syrup
.25 oz. lime juice
Shaken topped with ginger beer
Two dashes Angostura bitters
Recipe courtesy of Aaron Peña, Owner of Amor Eterno and Squeezebox in San Antonio, TX

WAKE THE DEAD cocktail. Photo: Mario Maldonado, used with permission.

Halloween events and specials in San Antonio

The fan-favorite Pumpkin Spiked Milkshake is back this month at EVO Entertainment this month. Photo: EVO Entertainment, used with permission.

This Halloween season, some San Antonio businesses are offering special events, specials, recipes, and more to help San Antonians celebrate the spooky season. (San Antonio Museum of Art, Taco Cabana, EVO Entertainment, Bakery Lorraine, Twang 2021)

San Antonio Museum of Art
Families can enjoy the San Antonio Museum of Art in a new way by trick-or-treating throughout the museum on Sunday, October 31 from 10a.m. – 5p.m. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes as they explore the museum’s galleries. Swords, scepters, weapons, wands, and full-face masks will not be permitted.

Taco Cabana
This Halloween season, Taco Cabana is celebrating with the return of its popular Bean and Cheese taco coupon booklets. For a limited time and while supplies last, guests can purchase the booklets for $2 each at any Taco Cabana location. Each booklet will include five coupons for a free TC classic Bean and Cheese taco, and the $2 donation from each booklet sold will directly benefit local food banks. Offer is valid until October 31 and coupons are redeemable through November 30, 2021.

EVO Entertainment
Austin, Schertz, New Braunfels and San Marcos locations
On Saturday, October 30, families can check out “Pumpkins & Popcorn” at EVO locations featuring a specialty screening of Scoob! at 11a.m. Tickets to the event include a wooden pumpkin, painting and decorating supplies, and a popcorn and candy snack bag. Limited tickets are available for purchase here.

Kyle, Schertz and San Marcos locations
On Wednesday, October 20 EVO’s Kyle, Schertz and Springtown locations will host the annual Drunken Pumpkin Parties. Guests will each get a large pumpkin, carving tools and stencils, a snack bag and hidden prizes while they enjoy a screening of the Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus. This event is 18+ and costumes are encouraged. Tickets are available here.

Throughout the month of October, select EVO locations will also be serving themed cocktails perfect for spooky season. “The Symbiote” is a strawberry margarita with a black salted rim created in honor of the highly-anticipated film Venom: Let There Be Carnage and will be available through October 31. The fan-favorite Pumpkin Spiked Milkshake is also making a return this fall, made with vodka and Baileys Pumpkin Spiced Irish Cream. A non-alcoholic version of the milkshake is also available.

Bakery Lorraine
Beginning Thursday, October 28 and through the end of the month, Bakery Lorraine will be offering a special Halloween menu at both Austin and San Antonio locations. The menu will include a black cat tart for $6 made of chocolate mousse with a vanilla filling, a lemon mummy tart for $6 made of lemon curd topped with meringue and two chocolate chips for the mummy’s eyes, a chocolate caramel tart for $6 made of a caramel filling topped with chocolate ganache, a phantom of opera cake slice for $6 layered with pumpkin spice sponge cake and buttercream topped in a rich dark chocolate glaze, a voodoo doll gingerbread cookie for $5 made of gingerbread cookie dipped in a rich dark chocolate, and a ghost moon pie for $5 made of homemade graham cookies with a honey marshmallow filling dipped in a white chocolate.

Twang
In the spirit of celebrating Halloween on October 31, family-owned salts and seasonings company, Twang, has a themed cocktail to enjoy at home using their Twang-A-Rita Nectarberry. The cocktail is appropriately named Witch’s Brew and is composed of 2 oz. cinnamon liqueur, 3/4 pomegranate syrup, 3oz. apple cider, and topped with champagne for a single serving. If wanting to celebrate with a bigger group, their punch recipe is composed of 16 oz. cinnamon liqueur, 6oz. pomegranate syrup, 24oz. apple cider, and 1 full 750ml bottle of champagne. Recipe courtesy of Aaron Peña, Owner of Amor Eterno and Squeezebox in San Antonio, Texas.

Bakery Lorraine’s ghost moon pie and voodoo doll gingerbread cookie. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Beat the heat with grilled fruit margaritas from Twang

Watermelon margarita made with Twang-a-Rita chili lime rimming salt. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

As the weather heats up, everyone can use recipes for refreshing summer cocktails. These grilled fruit margaritas are brought to you by Aaron Peña, bartender and owner of The Squeezebox and Amor Eterno in San Antonio, and Twang, a San Antonio-based manufacturer of salts, seasonings and drink mixes. These margaritas are great for a Fourth of July get together or any summer occasion. (Twang, 2021)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh grilled Watermelon, Mango or Cucumber (depending on preference)
1 oz. fresh squeezed Lime Juice
¾ oz. Agave syrup – adjust to your taste
2 oz. Blanco Tequila
1 cup of Ice
Twang-A-Rita Sunrise Spice

Instructions:

Lightly grill fruit of choice on a grill
Add grilled fruit, ice, lime juice, tequila, and agave syrup to blender and blend on high speed
Rim glass with Twang-A-Rita Sunrise Spice or your favorite Twang salt.
Pour into your rimmed glassware and enjoy

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Twang Partners Ltd. is a family-owned and operated creator and manufacturer of premium-flavored salts, sugars and seasonings and credited as being “The original beer salt.” Since 1986, Twang Partners has produced the highest quality products designed to enhance the taste, appearance and enjoyment of food and beverages. Brands include Beer Salt, Twangerz, Twang-A-Rita, Twang Reserve Michelada Mix, Twang Reserve Rimming Salts, and ZAS! Super Seasoning. Twang products are available in grocery, convenience, liquor and specialty store shelves in 48 states across the country. Twang Partners has successfully collaborated with some of the top food and beverage companies around the world to create innovative custom blends.

Grilled fruit margarita by Twang

Easter offerings from local businesses

Bakery Lorraine will be offering several Easter treats. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Easter is right around the corner, and whether you are planning a socially distant picnic or a small gathering with family, these San Antonio favorites can help make your celebration memorable. (Bakery Lorraine, EVO Entertainment, Twang, 2021)

Bakery Lorraine – This year Bakery Lorraine will offer a festive Easter themed dessert box. This box is available for $28 and includes the following treats:

2 Egg shaped Moonpies
1 Chocolate Nest Tart
1 Bunny Tart
1 Lemon Blueberry Tart

Bakery Lorraine will also offer a delightfully decorated spring themed Carrot Cake for $65. Both items are only available by pre-ordering through Bakery Lorraine’s website under the “Custom Orders” tab. The last day to place an order is Wednesday, 3/31 by noon. Items are available for pickup on Saturday 4/3 and Sunday 4/4 starting at 9a.m. at all Bakery Lorraine locations. Bakery Lorraine will continue to offer its signature Easter treats for in-store or online pickup on Friday 4/2 through Sunday 4/4 at all locations until items sell out. Items include:

Egg shaped Moonpies $4
Chocolate Nest Tart $6
Bunny Tart $6
Lemon Blueberry Tart $6

EVO Entertainment – EVO will be hosting Easter-themed pajama pancake parties at the Schertz, Springtown, Belterra and Kyle locations on Saturday, April 3 at 9:30a.m. Kids can enjoy screenings of the festive movie, “Hop” while chowing down on a stack of pancakes from EVO’s specialty menu, which includes Classic, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, and Birthday Cake pancakes. Tickets will be available online.

Recipes from Twang Partners

Wow your friends and family with these light and fresh appetizers/sides from Twang.

Cucumber Avocado Chili Lime Roll

Ingredients:

1 avocado
¼ of cream cheese block (4 oz.)
1 clove of garlic
2 tsp of lime juice
3 tbsp. of pine nuts
1 tbsp. of ZAS Chili Lime (and a dash for garnish)
1 cucumber
Mandolin or potato peeler

Preparation:

Toss all ingredients (except cucumber) in a blender or food processor. Or if you want to be traditional do it by hand, finely mince garlic and mash ingredients together with a fork until smooth and creamy. Let the mixture sit in a refrigerator for 10 minutes.
Use a mandolin or potato peeler to cut long thin strips from the cucumber. Be sure to leave the skin for pretty color.
Take a cucumber strip and spread a thin layer of the avocado mixture along the length of the strip. A little goes a long way so be mindful. Make sure the spread goes all the way to the end so that it sticks once rolled.
Roll it up! No toothpicks needed. Sprinkle on a dash of ZAS Chili Lime Seasoning to give it more presentation.

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