There is a humorous inevitability when it comes to still-strength tequila: it turns our at-home happy hour into a very happy half-hour, as you may have similarly experienced with its forefathers cask-strength bourbon, navy-strength gin, and overproof rum (does anyone actually remember drinking a tiki cocktail??). But heck, these days, sometimes a drink needs to serve more of a “purpose,” if you know what I mean.

While LALO bumps with bass, Don Fulano turns up the treble. It sends tingling waves of electric, extroverted energy the moment it hits your palate, transmitting hi-fi notes of orange blossom, lime cordial, green cardamom, minty Sicilian oregano, and candied tomatillo (no, really). If that sounds odd, trust me—it’s like tasting the kind of fancy-schmancy, tweezer-placed food that makes you say with wonder and awe, “I never would have thought of putting these together, but it works!” Compliments to the chef.

Also please note: For margaritas and palomas, the quality of tequila has always mattered (see me after class if you disagree), and Don Fulano’s Blanco Fuerte makes some of the best margaritas and palomas I have ever had.

– Tadd Tanji