BajaNomad

Most Important Question--

Daj - 11-6-2009 at 09:42 AM

How much alcohol am I allowed to bring back into the states?
And does anyone have any suggestions/advice on the best Mexican beer or liquor?

: )
-A

DENNIS - 11-6-2009 at 09:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Daj
How much alcohol am I allowed to bring back into the states?
And does anyone have any suggestions/advice on the best Mexican beer or liquor?

: )
-A


That is a "loaded"question. :lol: [it really is]

oldjack - 11-6-2009 at 09:49 AM

except for a few tequilas... you probably can buy beer/liquor cheaper at your local stateside store.... very little reason to bring any "back" ... you can bring back one bottle if you are in MX for just the weekend... thirty days in MX allows for more.... I have had as little as a six-pack taken when passing through San Ysidro(forgot it was in the cooler)..

Terry28 - 11-6-2009 at 10:51 AM

If you are a resident of Calif. and an adult, you are allowed one liter of alcohol per person. It does not matter if it is hard booze or beer it is the amount that is important. If you are from another state other than Calif. the amounts is higher....

Daj - 11-6-2009 at 10:55 AM

iiiiiiinteresting....

good to know, as well.

SeaShell - 11-6-2009 at 11:07 AM

Bring back a bottle of TEKALI Almond flavored Tequila liquer. Really good and fun to take to a party as most people haven't tried it. I took it to a Christmas party one year where everyone said they didn't drink Tequila but they tried and were soon fighting over the last drop!:lol:

SeaShell - 11-6-2009 at 11:17 AM

P.S. Some tequila cheaper at home. Just bought my boyfriend a 1.75 liter bottle of Milagro Silver at Costco in San Diego which was $38 and priced it down here yesterday at about $50. But for variety this is the place to shop Tequila.
If you are in the area the Mercado Del Mar market has a "Tequila Room" with hundred's of bottles and lables to choose from and is fun to wander thru. It is at 3135 Popotla Blvd just south of Rosarito Beach. Cheers!

[Edited on 11-6-2009 by SeaShell]

Bajahowodd - 11-6-2009 at 12:23 PM

oldjack and SeaShell are right. Unlesss you find something rare, special or have never seen in the states even at a place like BevMo, you may likely be paying more down there than at home. There's another consideration for distilled spirits. Alcohol content. Mexican domestic spirits tend to have a reduced alcohol content- usually 36-38% versus the export stuff which is still 40%. So, you may get more bang for your buck buying it stateside.

And just when is a bargain a bargain? I'm reminded of many years ago stopping at St. Thomas, USVI, which is a duty free port. Cruise passengers lined up to buy their allowable limit of booze. They then had to lug the stuff back to the ship, then through the airport, all the way home. Worth it?:?:

[Edited on 11-6-2009 by Bajahowodd]

grace59 - 11-6-2009 at 06:04 PM

The only alcohol that I buy in Mexico to bring home is Kahlua. It is so much cheaper there than what it costs me to buy it here in Washington State (liquor stores are state run with high taxes on alcohol here). And somehow the Kahlua I buy in Mexico always tastes better to me than the imported Kahlua that I buy here in the states. But other things, like Patron cost about the same in Mexico as they do here.

LaTijereta - 11-6-2009 at 06:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by grace59
The only alcohol that I buy in Mexico to bring home is Kahlua. It is so much cheaper there than what it costs me to buy it here in Washington State (liquor stores are state run with high taxes on alcohol here). And somehow the Kahlua I buy in Mexico always tastes better to me than the imported Kahlua that I buy here in the states. But other things, like Patron cost about the same in Mexico as they do here.


I think Kahula is a good fit for cost... and works good for your Mexican coffee when you decide to come home;D

Beer?????

bajaguy - 11-6-2009 at 09:32 PM

Pacifico

bajabass - 11-7-2009 at 09:05 AM

The allowed 1 litre won't make it to the border!:cool:

bent-rim - 11-7-2009 at 09:09 AM

As posted earlier, you're allowed to return with 1 liter. I recommend the Gran Centenario Reposado Tequilla. It's usually $25.00 US in Baja and sells for $50.00-$60.00 here in the States , when you can find it.

David K - 11-7-2009 at 09:25 AM

Beer has been discussed at great lengths, several times on Nomad...

There has even been polls... Overall the favorite beer on Nomad is PACIFICO which is a full flavored medium-light beer made in Mazatlan. Bohemia and Superior ranks up there, too.

If you like lighter beers, try XX (Dos Equis) Lager Especial or Tecate or Sol or Mexicali or Tijuana Güera or Carta Blanca. If you like darker beers, try XX (Dos Equis) Amber, Negra Modelo, Noche Buena, Tijuana Morena.

Mexico's #1 export beer Corona (great commercials) has a few fans, but most on Nomad compare it to Bud, toilet water, or worse.

If you want a LITE/ low cal beer, there are several, including those from Tecate, Pacifico, Tijuana, etc.

Have fun trying them all! You can bring back only 3 beers per person if you are a California resident... totally unfair!




[Edited on 11-7-2009 by David K]

mulegejim - 11-7-2009 at 09:29 AM

I would agree that most liquor you can get in the states cheaper. About the only liquor I bring back is Kahula or Controy. The Kahula you can get in the states, however, I have never spotted Controy here. Also, as stated above, the limit is one liter per person of legal age entering California.

My favorite beer would be the Noche Buena that Tecate brings out over the Holidays - little stronger and a different beautiful label each year.

DENNIS - 11-7-2009 at 10:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegejim
I have never spotted Controy here.


Controy is the Mexican version of Cointreau which you can find in the states.
If it's for Margaritas, Triple Sec will fill the bill. A blind taste test of the mixed drink will show them to be the same.

http://www.proof66.com/single_display.asp?id=161

[Edited on 11-7-2009 by DENNIS]

Mulegena - 11-7-2009 at 10:08 AM

For Kahlua, make your own-- its fun. See the post in Baja Cooking forum for the recipe.

My personal preferences:
Dos XX with fresh lime in the bottle in summer
Negro Modelo, no lime, in the bottle in winter
Homemade Mango Margaritas with Damiana
Mango Smoothies-- anytime

shari - 11-7-2009 at 10:21 AM

Once i went to the town of Tequila on the mainland...drove up to one of the many tequila stands...handed them my 5 gallon camping, clear plastic water container...chose a modestly priced tequila and filled that sucker up....just looked like water in with all my camping gear.
I had planned a year of partying with that jug...but....the best made plans....I found out I was pregnant with Sirenita when I got home....sheesh....at least my amigos in Canada had a great party year!!!

Barry A. - 11-7-2009 at 02:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Once i went to the town of Tequila on the mainland...drove up to one of the many tequila stands...handed them my 5 gallon camping, clear plastic water container...chose a modestly priced tequila and filled that sucker up....just looked like water in with all my camping gear.
I had planned a year of partying with that jug...but....the best made plans....I found out I was pregnant with Sirenita when I got home....sheesh....at least my amigos in Canada had a great party year!!!


Now THAT is resourcefulness, for sure!!!! Way to go Shari!!!! :lol:

Barry

vandenberg - 11-7-2009 at 02:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by mulegejim
I have never spotted Controy here.


Controy is the Mexican version of Cointreau which you can find in the states.
If it's for Margaritas, Triple Sec will fill the bill. A blind taste test of the mixed drink will show them to be the same.


The old barman talking.:biggrin:

BajaRae - 11-8-2009 at 06:06 AM

We always buy Controy can't find it here in the states ....pretty cheap at Cosco...TJ and Ensenada have the best prices further south it gets a little more expensive.
I find the Tequila is cheaper in Baja like Jimador. Just Controy, Jimador and some lime juice makes a Killer margarita:biggrin: If you know what I mean....

dean miller - 11-8-2009 at 06:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Once i went to the town of Tequila on the mainland...drove up to one of the many tequila stands...handed them my 5 gallon camping, clear plastic water container...chose a modestly priced tequila and filled that sucker up....just looked like water in with all my camping gear....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was only in the town of Tequila one time that was in October 1960...Remember the event well or I think I do..

At that time the owners dispensed samples of the noble nectar from cow's horns...

I too filled up a bottle and drug it all over Mexico. Was never questioned about the contents as I went through customs in to the US...

Memories!......

Dianamo - 11-8-2009 at 06:27 AM

I had never thought to check the price of Kahlua (another "blond moment"). I make a fabulous cake with Kahlua (it's my husband's favorite) and I always dread the day I have to go to the package store and pay $25+ to make my cake. I will share my recipe if anyone want it, it's very easy, the most difficult part is getting it out of the pan...... well, then, maybe it is not eating too much!

Howard - 11-8-2009 at 07:25 AM

My favorite is

Don Julio Anejo
$45 plus tax Costco in the States
$65+ in Southen Baja

BajaRae - 11-9-2009 at 08:09 AM

I totally disagree with Dennis Controy is not the same as Cointreau....not as sweet tasting and Triple sec is awful.....

mulegejim - 11-9-2009 at 09:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaRae
I totally disagree with Dennis Controy is not the same as Cointreau....not as sweet tasting and Triple sec is awful.....


Totally agree - Controy is also very good alone over crushed ice.

DENNIS - 11-9-2009 at 09:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaRae
I totally disagree with Dennis Controy is not the same as Cointreau....not as sweet tasting and Triple sec is awful.....


Well..You arn't supposed to be drinking it out of the bottle. In a Margarita, which is the most common use, the differences are buried. I experimented with this fact for fifteen years as a bartender in some kickass gin mills. My findings were completely scientific. :lol:

BajaRae - 11-10-2009 at 05:41 AM

I don't blend the margarita just over the rocks...and who says you can't drink it over ice...(Controy) I think that is a good idea. Can't stand Triple sec...way to sweet all those people in the bar that you tested must not have taste buds or love sugar.:spingrin: