We are back with another great episode of the C&C Pod, this time with the delightful Vicki Cantrell, founder of Vendors in Partnership. Many of you know Vicki, not only did she found Vendors in Partnership, she has held many key leadership roles in the commerce and retail community, including Shop.org and NRF, as well as COO and CIO roles across retail and fashion.

Vicki joined Bill and I to mix up some Margaritas and discuss the client and technology vendor relationship, what it really means for businesses and their vendors to truly partner. It is a great conversation, looking at this critical relationship from a new perspective.

For the spec on the Tommy Margarita we discussed (perhaps too much!), see below.

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About a Tommy’s Margarita

If you listen to the episode, no doubt you will be sold on a Tommy’s Margarita just as Vicki was on the show. As we discussed, the traditional Margarita recipe features tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur, but as with most classics, bartenders and enthusiasts have found many ways to riff on the original formula. One such twist has become a modern classic, the Tommy’s Margarita, which was created by bartender Julio Bermejo in the early ’90s at his family’s San Francisco restaurant Tommy’s Mexican. It focuses on the holy trinity of Mexican mixology - 100% agave tequila, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice.

Sweetened solely with agave nectar, the Tommy’s Margarita is built to feature the tequila - so if you have a great, 100% agave blanco tequila that is free of refined sugar or additives blanco tequila, this one is a great one to try. The Tommy is a slightly less sweet Margarita that puts the focus on tequila while saving the drinker a few calories (who’s counting!). In the ’90s, the Tommy’s Margarita became emblematic of a lighter, fresher style of eating and drinking that was taking place in California and which still drives much of the culinary and bar scene today.

Like the classic, the Tommy’s Margarita is typically shaken and served on the rocks in a salt-rimmed glass. It is quick and easy to make in batches, so features well at the summer barbeque.

If you want to go deeper on a Cadillac Margarita - my own riff on the classic - check out C&C Issue No.8, where I go deep on a wonderful original, the Kickback Cadillac.

Meanwhile, here is how to make a classic Tommy:

Tommy’s Margarita Cocktail Spec,

Single serving:

2 oz (~60 ml) - Blanco tequila (recommend 100% agave tequila, such as the excellent Fortaleza Blanco)

1 oz (~30 ml) - Fresh lime juice

.5 oz (~15 ml) - Agave nectar

Garnish - salt rim

The process:

Rub the rim of a rocks glass with a lime wedge, dip the rim in salt to coat, and set aside. Add the tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar to a shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled (minimum 15 seconds). Strain over fresh ice into the prepared glass. (Preparation time: 5 minutes)

There is plenty of room for others at the cocktail party! Why not share a drink and an interesting perspective to talk about while you enjoy it! Please share with you network or workplace today. Thank you!

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Be well, be safe, and here is to good business! Cheers! - Brian & Bill

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