Pictured: Lead bartender Clio Padilla-Flores designed custom craft cocktails for Thursday's Mijenta Tequila Dinner at Sage. Photo courtesy of Sage.

“Ana María Romero Mena is a badass woman in the tequila industry,” says Clio Padilla-Flores, the bar manager at Sage Restaurant in Sarasota.

Mena is a highly-regarded expert and innovator in the tequila industry. Originally a wine sommelier, Mena created an aroma wheel that is used by tequila makers around the world and published a book called The Aromas of Tequila: The Art of Tasting. Now a maestra tequilera (or master distiller) with premium tequila brand Mijenta, Mena is bringing her deep well of knowledge to Sage Restaurant for an exclusive Mijenta Tequila Dinner on Thursday, December 5th, at 7pm.

Padilla-Flores attended a tasting class for Mijenta at an industry event a few years ago and became a fan of the brand and of Mena herself. When her distributor mentioned Mena would be in Florida, Padilla-Flores jumped at the chance to create a unique event that is akin to a wine tasting, but revolving around Mijenta tequila.

“It’s all super sustainable. There are no additives, no additional syrups or extracts,” she says. “It’s just true to the heart of what tequila should be.”

Executive Chef Christopher Covelli and Co-Executive Chef Vinnie Savadel created an inspired menu blending modern fine dining with authentic Mexican cuisine in a playful and inventive way. Five courses will be served, including corn soup with a huitlacoche empanada, caviar and crème fraîche, each paired with a tequila. Padilla-Flores has designed tequila cocktails incorporating indigenous Mexican ingredients to accompany the meal--the cocktail for this course will incorporate tequila that has been fat-washed with butter that has been used to saute huitlacoche and herbs.

“I like to represent my culture. I moved to the states in 1994 and haven’t been able to visit Mexico since then,” says Padilla-Flores. “Anytime I do any cocktail like this, it makes me feel a connection to my roots and my ancestors.”

This all-inclusive dinner is $245 per person, including tax and gratuity. For reservations, call Sage at 941-445-5660 or email admin@realmrestaurants.com.

Sage, 1216 1st Street, Sarasota, 941-445-5660, www.sagesrq.com.

Pictured: Lead bartender Clio Padilla-Flores designed custom craft cocktails for Thursday's Mijenta Tequila Dinner at Sage. Photo courtesy of Sage.