Tequila, made primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila in Mexico, has recently been dubbed “the new vodka.” And after doing some of our own searching, we realized that this might actually be the case. Special tequila menus and high-end tequila bars are popping up all over the country. Here are a few that noteworthy places that are giving praise to the Blue Agave nectar. 

Fusion Mixology Bar
The Palazzo
3325 S. Las Vegas Blvd.�
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 607-7777

Hours: 24 hours

To commemorate Mexican Independence Day, which falls on September 16, Fusion will offer Ambhar tequila drink specials throughout the month of September. The drinks, all Latin-inspired, hand crafted cocktails will be made with fresh fruits and a muddling technique of grinding sugar and fresh citrus. In addition to $7 shots of Ambhar tequila, trained mixologists at Fusion will create one special drink made just for the occasion. The cocktail, which is called “El Grito de la Independencia,” is named after the famous battle cry of the Mexican War Independence. It is a fresh blend of Ambhar tequila, strawberries, lime juice, rock candy syrup and basil leaves which is then garnished with lemoncello foam.

Also at Fusion, mixologist Emilio Tiburcio recently spent time with Travels In Taste recreating a variety of his favorite cocktails. One of the drinks, the “Orange Splash Fizz,” is a unique blend of tequila, orange zest, elderflower liquor and champagne. Tiburcio says that he makes the drink by filling a glass with ice and an orange peel that surrounds the ice from inside the glass and then muddling orange slices with tequila and elderflower liquor. Tiburcio then shaves ice and puts it in the glass with orange zest and, finally, tops it off with champagne. To read more about this special cocktail and our taste test with Tiburcio click here.

Strip House NYC
13 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 328-0000

Hours: 5 p.m. - 11:15 p.m. (Mon. - Sat.)
             5 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Sun.)

The Strip House, which is known for known for its prime signature cuts of New York Strip Steak and Rib Eye is offering a 5-course $158 tequila pairing menu available for purchase through the Gilt Groupe. The menu includes Pumpkin with Toasted Seeds and Parmesan paired with Patrón Blanco; Tequila Cured Salmon with Cilantro Aĩoli, Bruleed Oranges and Baby Arugula paired with Don Julio Resposado; Roast Bacon Salad with Watercress, Marinated Tomatoes and Russian Dressing paired with Avión Añejo; T-Bone Steak with Tequila Butter, Goose Fat Potatoes and Black Truffle Creamed Spinach  paired with Milagro Barrel Aged Añejo; and Baked Alaska with Milk Chocolate and Butter Pecan Ice Creams paired with Patrón XO Café. The special dinner will be held on September 26, 2010. To read more about Strip House click here.

El Scorpion
431 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139-6617
(305) 532-4544

Hours: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. (Mon.)
                 12 p.m. - 11 p.m. (Tues., Sun.)
                 12 p.m. - 2 a.m. (Wed. - Sat.)
El Scorpion, a relaxed lounge in South Beach Miami, serves up authentic Mexican fare with an accompanying drink menu that includes more than 130 Blue Agave tequilas. Behind the illuminated tequila bar, award-winning mixologist Christian Sanders creates a variety of tequila blends and freshly-made juices.

ZOCALO Restaurant and Tequila Bar
358 West Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60654-6269
(312) 302-9977

Hours: Lunch: 11:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
             Dinner: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. (Sun. - Tues.)
                             5 p.m. - 11 p.m. (Wed. - Sat.)
            Lounge: Open until 2 a.m. (Fri.)

At ZOCALO, in Chicago’s trendy River North neighborhood, a menu of braised and slow roasted meats in Yucatan style marinades and fresh ceviches is served alongside a menu that boasts over 130 tequilas made of 100 percent Blue Agave. Tequilas can be enjoyed straight up, in flights or in the restaurants signature margaritas.