CRUZ IN THE NEWS
Highland Blanco Tequila Award Captured
The Best of The Best Highland Blanco is added on top of 12 other industry awards captured by CRUZ Tequila and sets the stage for more honors in 2012. With over 100 brands submitting 277 products to TEQUILA.net’s highly respected tasting competition, the "Spirit of Mexico" is officially the largest tasting in the United States. Learn more here
Experience Tequila Beyond the Shots
The two-day festival at US Airways Center will give adults the chance to savor more than 50 types of tequila…"We want people to overcome that stereotype and make up their own minds about what they think of tequila. The spirit has come so far in just the last 20 years, and there is something out there any person can enjoy, " said Todd Ellinwood, Arizona marketing manager for Valley brand Cruz Tequila. View more details here
Celebrated Margarita Challenge
Sample the 2011 Phoenix Tequila Fest Margarita Champion at the Cruz Tequila Margarita Challenge Booth. This award-winning cocktail will be selected from the Valley’s top bartenders and mixologists entries and judged by the Phoenix Tequila Fest’s panel of culinary and celebrity judges. Read more here
What's A Reposado?
Master Tequila distillers show you the difference in flavors between the varietals of añejo, reposado and blanco tequila. Others learn how tequila is made from the blue agave plant and discover how it is grown, harvested, roasted, fermented, distilled and aged in fine wood barrels to create the various expressions. View more detail here
New Times Best Of Award
Best Tequila 2011: CRUZ Tequila
In the editorial groups words, “ASU has a reputation for being a party school, but the three ASU alumni who own Cruz Tequila have created a refined sipping tequila that leaves Jose firmly in the collegiate past.” Read more about the CRUZ Tequila’s 12th award received here.
The Briefing: CHEERS!
Food & Flourish Magazine Summer 2011
The successful Cheers! Wine and Liquor Tasting event was held at Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse in Scottsdale this year, with Food & Flourish editors in attendance. As reported, the event featured: Cruz Tequila, Squana, and Cape of Good Hope among other community-minded company’s. The event helped raise money to support the Golden Gate Community Center, which provides children and families in need, with services and programs.
Mixing Up Cocktails With Fox News
Richie Moe, from Scottsdale Citizen Public House, takes CRUZ Tequila’s award-winning sprits into the FOX News studios to mix up his favorite cocktails before the holidays and the Tequila Festival. Select the logo above to see the results.
Redefining Ultra Premium Tequila
Dave Pratt of X103.9 radio interviews CRUZ Tequila’s President, Pep Katcher and Arizona Market Manager Todd Ellinwood on his morning show to learn more about how CRUZ Tequila is redefining the ultra premium tequila market. Learn more here
Chef Joe Daignaeult and Andi Barness team up to create the perfect Margarita with CRUZ Tequila
Select the logo above to see the full interview with Chef Joe Daignaeult and Andi Barness
Tequila Popularity
From NPR’s America Desk, Al Macias has the story about this "gift from the gods". Cruz Tequila's interview with Todd Nelson of Cruz Tequila
The 2011 CruzCruise Taco Crawl
Still recovering from your food coma from last year's Arizona Taco Festival? Believe it or not, this year's Fest is right around the corner and we've got a great way to burn some calories before you consume twice as many at the Taco Festival! Learn more about the CRUZ Tequila event sponsored by Yelp here.
Ya Snooze, You CRUZ
This bike was probably stolen. Not by us, not from us, and definitely not for us. Well, kinda for us. About a monthago, we went for lunch with Todd Ellinwood from Cruz Tequila and Lindsey Fosse from Yelp. While chowin’ on tacos at Cien Agaves, we decided to organize an event that would be good for Cruz Tequila – one of our best locally owned tequilas, Yelp – you know, that user-review website that’s killed traditional media as we know it, and the Arizona Taco Festival, otherwise known as world peace. Read the entire “look out’ here
Wide Brimmed Hats
New Times/Fall 2011
Itchin' for an excuse to pull that bicycle out of storage and get some extra wear out of your Cinco de Mayo muyloco party hat? Saddle up and get ready to ride through the streets of Scottsdale, writes Laura Hahnefeld.
Ultimate Mexican Food Guide & Tequila primer
Phoenix Magazine/Summer 2011
Brothers Pep and Saulo Katcher; along with partner Todd Nelson, first brought an ultra-premium reposado to the market in an eco-friendly recycled package that’s as gorgeous to behold as the tequila is smooth. Now CRUZ produces a fine silver (blanco) tequila, too, and it’s racking up awards just as fast as the reposado, reports Gwen Ashley Walters.
Prickly Pear Ranch Turns Spotlight On Margaritas
Prickly Pear Ranch Editors
The award-winning Prickly Pear RanchTM, features two recognized CRUZ Tequila recipes: CRUZ Citrus Margarita
along with the CRUZ Prickly Pear Margarita, before summer’s record temperaturesarrive. LearnmoreaboutthePêra Prickly Pear Syrup Drink Mixer, the key ingredient in the winning Margarita recipe at Agave on the Rocks Event here.
Beat the Heat Arizona WinterFest Gives Back
Arizona Republic/Summer 2011
This year Kellie Hwang reports for the Arizona Republic that more than 25 breweries will be on site and new this year, will be tastings from wine kegs with fine wines along with award-winning spirits. Regarding the spirits,
representatives on hand, including Arizona’s Cruz tequila, who will create beer cocktails for guests to try.
Hundreds of attendees will also help the community, since twenty-five percent of the gross profit will benefit ‘Every Kid Counts’, a Scottsdale-based charity that provides educational, philanthropic, and athletic programs for young
people.
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo With Arizona Tequila
East Valley Tribune/May 2011
Founded by three Arizona State grads (two of whom were born in Mexico), Cruz’s silver and reposadotequilas have each won honors at international spirits competitions. So has their eye-catching package design, reports Mandy Zajac. Further, the spirit is delivered in a blown-glass bottle and hand-polished aluminum cap along with a cross, all made from 100-percent recycled materials.
Tequila Guide 2011
The Arizona Republic April 2011
With Cinco de Mayo coming up, tequila will be in high demand. In order to prepare their readers for this historicholiday, Kellie Hwang with The Arizona Republic takes a look at upscale tequila brands that are earning positive reviews. The short list of candidates boast 100 percent blue agave, distinctive flavor profiles with a smooth, “burn-free” taste that features the award-winning Cruz Tequila Silver. [View PDF]
Tequila Connection Admires Winning Combination
February 2011
Cruz Del Sol Reposado and Silver receive winning reviews that include the respective notes from the Tequila
Connection panel: “…we experienced a light agave aroma with floral notes flavors of vanilla and caramel that had a soft and warm finish.” Next, the Silver delivered “… subtle agave aroma with floral and citrus
hints that had a medium finish.” From a visual and eco perspective, the panel admired the design of the bottle and were pleased to learn it is made of recycled materials.
A Well Crafted Cocktail, A Well Crafted Life
Portland Craft Cocktails March 2011
With the goal of expanding minds, palates, and opinions in the craft cocktail world and beyond, the Portland Craft Cocktails group has strategically added Cruz Tequila Silver to their liquor cabinet. The group wants their readers to be knowledgeable and confident when making their purchasing decision
Agave Madness
Java Magazine Winter 2011
As the new year arrives, JAVA’s feature by Mark Fink reminds us that the growing popularity of tequila has helped ebb the fear of the spirit in the hearts of many and also highlights the success at Cruz Tequila. Excerpts include: After the boys [at Cruz Tequila] achieved their goal of year-over-year growth of 305 percent, the “Cruzaders” are sitting pretty it would seem, and that’s not even considering that they have garnered nine international spirits awards over the last three years. See the entire feature here [View PDF]
JETSET Delivers Cruz Tequila's Classic Drink to World Travelers
January 2011
In ‘The Big Chill Issue’ by JETSET Magazine, Cruz Tequila’s award winning drink warms up in the best of the best global golf destinations feature for those who prefer green over white in 2011. For the full details on how to create the ‘Cruzcumber’ Margarita, check out the January issue which can be found in more than 1,000 locations across the United States. Or join Jetset’s captive, vitual audience which includes, today’s wealthy consumers that are determined to stay abreast of emerging trends in areas that matter to them. [View PDF]
Silver Tequila Gift Set Passes Smoothness Test
Hooters Magazine Fall/Winter 2010
The fall edition presents, Mike Conrad’s glowing review of Cruz Tequila Silver, destined to reach over 400,000 of Hooters global readership before the holidays. The message: Cruz Del Sol Silver Tequila in your recipe delivers a nice smooth cocktail. See more of his review at this link: [View PDF]
And The Winner Is: Cruz Tequila’s Cucumber Margarita
New Times December 2010
Cruz Tequila has numerous cocktail recipes for its 100 percent blue agave tequilas, for our discerning tastes, though, nothing comes close to the Cruz Cucumber Margarita. Muddle two ounces of Cruz blanco with one squeezed lime, two cucumber wheels, and one ounce of agave nectar. Shake with ice, add a splash of water, and serve over ice. If you've mixed it right, the resultant beverage will taste like plunging head-first into a blue agave waterfall. Drink responsibly, and save one for us.[View PDF]
Gift Giving Simplified
Phoenix Magazine Winter 2010
The award-winning gifts for the person who has everything: CRUZ Tequila’s family of premium spirits. Proprietary filtering yields a soft refined finish, according to the judges from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Learn more about these popular holiday gifts here [View PDF]
How To Host A Successful Tequila Tasting
Let’s Party Magazine Fall/Winter 2010
A far cry from salted shots chased by lime, today's artisan tequilas are meant to be savored. Cruz Tequila’s Todd Ellinwood dispels some myths about the misunderstood spirit with a little tasting how-to, and shows readers that - far from frat party fare, tequila is actually a spirit full of taste and refinement. Read more of Tracy Werner’s article about how to host a tequila tasting here:[View PDF]
Chef Joe Daignaeult’s recipe for the perfect Margarita
By: Denise Naughton September 28, 2010
Fall will be here before you know it and it's time to get started working on some of those delicious recipes to keep you warm on our cool evenings.
Mad Coyote Joe shares his recipes for a Green Chile Stew that can be washed down with his Perfect Margarita. Sit back and enjoy both of these on the patio after a long day.
The Perfect Margarita
2 oz Cruz Tequila
3/4 oz agave nectar
1 oz fresh squeezed Key lime juice 
Shake with ice
Add a splash of bottled water
Serve over ice
To view the full article go here
Ultra Premium Spirits Showcased In Viewers Choice Awards
Fox Business News September 2010
Host Dave Elger and HotMixology expert mixologists bring CRUZ 
Tequila’s portfolio into the bar during this year’s ‘Viewers Choice’ awards. During this special, the HotMixology group invites their viewers to pull up a stool and get ready to shake up great cocktails. Their goal: highlighting the best spirits as they show the audience how to create the perfect concoctions for any occasion.
The Company That Is Redefining Premium Tequila
AZ Sports & Lifestyle Summer 2010
When you say the word “tequila” what comes to mind? Your favorite mixed drink? A single shot? A great time with friends? One Scottsdale based company is redefining what it means to make exceptional tequila and is aiming to have their consumers and fans think “The Best”. See Lynette Carrington’s feature here: [View PDF]
Viva Las Vegas For A Good Cause
So Scottsdale! July 2010
This summer So Scottsdale! Magazine covered the Viva Las Vegas semi-formal event at City Center, where hundreds of attendees and CRUZ Tequila gathered for a good cause. This annual event raises funding for the Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club’s philanthropic arm, Valley Kids Foundation. Read more about the evening and see photos by Carl Schultz here: [View PDF]
A Sip of Cruz Tequila
By Patrick Beach
The twice-distilled reposado, the flagship, is aged for some five months in oak barrels for a nutty, buttery nose and mouth feel, with light citrus notes and no burn. That one won Cruz a gold medal in the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The blanco, more of a mixing tequila, doesn’t have the peppery burn that you get from a lot of lesser products... I’m just sayin’: If you haven’t had it, it’s pretty darn fantastic tequila. Read more on the review here
An Interview with Patrick Beach
Select the logo above to see the full interview
Watch the Cruz Family on FOX News
CRUZ Tequila moves ahead of national brand in sales and shares their business direction with Producer Bil Ossher. To see the entire interview please click on the Fox News logo.
Tequila 101
Phoenix Magazine February 2010
This month's Phoenix Magazine includes a Tequila 101 primier on their favorite south-of-the-border spirit that showcases both CRUZ Reposado and CRUZ Silver. See highlights of Gwen Ashley Walters feature here: [View PDF]
Eco-Friendly, Drink Seeker's Dream
Scottsdale Health December 2009
This fall, Scottsdale Health Magazine names CRUZ Tequila the: eco-friendly, drink seeker's dream. Read more of Allison Bailin Batz's interview here: [View PDF]
CRUZ del Sol Stands As A Testament To
The Rewards Of Knowing
Better
JAVA Magazine Fall 2009
Guided by the simple 'we can do better' philosophy, the two along, with Pep's bother Saulo, set out to create a tequila that would leave that bristly burn of youthful regret behind, where it belongs...
Read more of Mark Fink's interview here: [View PDF]
Limited Release Gift For Those
With Impeccable Taste
Phoenix Magazine Nov 2009
Executive gift set makes the 2009 list and includes an individually numbered bottle of CRUZ Silver along with two hand-blown margarita glasses. Learn more: [View PDF]
CRUZ Tequila Shrimp And Carne Adovada Showcased At Taste Of Cave Creek
September 24, 2009
Chef and Author Mad Coyote Joe kicks off a wonderful evening of food and entertainment set in the beautiful high Sonoran desert. Learn more: [View PDF]
International Book of Spirits By Ole Phillipsen Will Include CRUZ Tequila
September 2009
Ole Phillipsen, considered one of the top experts in the spirit industry by foreign manufacturers, will profile CRUZ Tequila in his newest edition.
Margarita Toffee's Secret Ingredient: CRUZ Tequila Featured On Fox 10
Market Street Toffee & CRUZ Summer 2009
Fox 10 visits Market Street Toffee and learns that locally owned, award winning CRUZ Tequila is key to their popular margarita toffee. Watch the feature below.
CRUZ Cucumber Margarita Was Absolutely Delicious
New Times 2009/Jonathan McNamara
As a general rule we shy away from non-text book cocktails. Why knock something as classic as the margarita? Here's why: The cucumber margarita was absolutely delicious. [View PDF]