Tequila your spirit of choice? Messing with Mezcal on the side? Then I’ve probably seen you at the bar at Anepalco’s Cafe in Orange. And, considering it’s National Tequila Day you should be paying the cocktail auteur Cesar Cerrudo a visit ‘cuz I know he is mixing up all kinds of goodness in a glass.
My summer fave is the Fuzzy Vie (above) with grapefruit juice and, just looking at that frosted glass makes my mouth water and my involuntary reflex is to wrap my fingers around its smooth coolness and bring it to my lips – god forbid it’s someone else’s drink.
In fact, it was last year on National Tequila Day that I savored the Fuzzy Vie and a few more of Cesar’s creations with some friends. As dusk fell, a mysterious beam of light struck the cross on the bottle of Ilegal Mezcal. I kid you not, it was a sign that would have a more devout person swearing that they had seen an apparition of Sister Guadalupe.
Cesar Cerrudo preparing peach infused spirits.
But don’t just take my word for it, Anepalco’s unique Mexican/French cuisine, passionately cultivated by Danny Godinez, Chef/Owner of Anepalco’s Cafe, and Cesar’s cocktails have been featured in Chilled Magazine and Liquor.com.
The Fuzzy Vie is the perfect foil for the robust flavors and sultry heat of the “Not Paella”. Creamy rice is the pedestal upon which scallops, shrimp, spicy chorizo, and Jidori chicken sit, surrounded by a pool of yellow veloute.
The menu reflects the seasons, but there are a few not-to-miss dishes that are Anepalco standards, like the Pambazo Torta and Ceviche Amarillo.
Pambazo Ahi Torta
Ceviche Amarillo
We’re talking cocktails today, so let me share this one recipe courtesy of Anepalco’s and Cesar Cerrudo. The story behind the Doña Maggo is based on the three magos (wise men) – a play on the words magical, for the wise men, margarita, the woman’s name, and Doña, the title that precedes a woman’s name in Spanish.
- 1 ounce Illegal Mezcal
- 1 ounce Olmeca Altos Blanco
- 3/4 ounce Simple syrup
- 3/4 ounce Lime juice
- Garnish: Rim half glass Home made chilli powder add Kaffier Lime Leaf and chile de arbol.
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Glass: Rocks
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Add ingridients into mixing glass and shake. Pour over rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish.
More of Cesar Cerrudo’s cocktail creations. Summer, Spring, Winter, or Fall – the cocktail whisperer has just what you need. 
Please drink responsibly.
3737 W Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92868
Tel. 714-456-9642
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