Do This: Happy Hour at Masa Azul with Del Maguey's Ron Cooper

By Roger Kamholz in Food on Sep 15, 2011 6:40PM

From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Logan Square newcomer Masa Azul will host Ron Cooper, founder of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, for a special happy hour during which guests will have a rare opportunity to meet one of the most important figures in the world of mezcal while sampling Del Maguey's well-regarded lineup of handmade Oaxacan spirits. No advanced reservations are required.

To complement its blend of Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, Masa Azul has amassed an impressive bar of small-batch agave spirits - including several quality mezcals. (We took a close look at its agave-heavy cocktail program last month, shortly after the restaurant opened its doors.) Masa Azul's head bartender, Jenny Kessler, will create a selection of signature cocktails for the evening that showcase Del Maguey's products, which Cooper sources from small villages that carry on the age-old native traditions of mezcal production.

Similar to tequila, mezcal is made from certain types of agave found in the Mexican state of Oaxaca - primarily the maguey espadin. Cooper is largely the person responsible for reintroducing mezcal to Americans (and countless other spirits enthusiasts around the world) not as that Mexican firewater of suspect quality with the moth larva in the bottle, but rather as a fine, complex spirit worthy of slow sipping.

Also, mark your calendars for Masa Azul's official Grand Opening party, to be held on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. There will be a mariachi band, samples of Masa dishes and small-batch tequila, and boozy snow cones from Jo Snow Syrups.

Masa Azul is located at 2901 West Diversey Avenue.