Month: April 2015

Signature Cocktails

We all know and love the classics—the Martini, the Old Fashioned, the Mint Julep—but on vacation in Mexico, try something different. At NIZUC, we have several signature cocktails, created by our incredible resort mixologists. And here, it’s always cocktail hour.

How about a fresh Lychee Martini at our Asian-inspired restaurant Indochine? Why not try the Imperial Mojito at Havana Lounge? Of course, you could always sample the resort favorite, the Margarita IK, at Bar A-Kan.

Every cocktail is made with fresh fruit and the best liquors, with a particular focus on quality mezcal and tequila. We’ll let you in on a little secret: the special ingredient of the Margarita IK is our habanero syrup made with tequila reposado, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and habanero peppers. This type of chili is native to the Yucatan Peninsula and adds an extra bit of spice that makes all the difference.

And if you’re looking for some delicious non-alcoholic drinks, we have many fruit options served at every bar and restaurant at the resort. Some favorites include our welcome drink, a specialty green juice made of pineapple juice, dill, cucumber, lemon and honey, as well as always-refreshing strawberry or mango smoothies.

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try them all? Explore our restaurants and take a tour of all our signature cocktails:

  1. IK Margarita – Bar A-Kan
    Tequila reposado, fresh lime juice, cointreau, habanero chili syrup
  2. Baron NIZUC – Bar A-Kan
    Tequila baron, fresh lime juice, cointreau, agave nectar, cucumber macerated with mint, rimmed with tajin chili
  3. Imperial Mojito – Havana Lounge
    Mint macerated with brown sugar and lime, Rum Zacapa 23, finished with Moët ice
  4. Punta Martini – La Punta Grill
    Cucumber, vodka ciroc, fresh lime juice
  5. Lychee Martini – Indochine
    Drained lychees, lemon juice, vodka, cointreau
  6. Margarita Limoncello – Terra Nostra
    Triple sec, tequila, limoncello, lemon juice
  7. Bebby Mojito – Ramona
    Rum, mint, blueberries, raspberries, ginger ale, mineral water

At NIZUC, no matter where you are as long as you have a delicious cocktail in hand, you’re in exactly the right spot. Salud!

The Story of the Chechen & Chaca Trees

One of the most beautiful things about Mexico is that almost everything is rich with narrative and meaning. The rain falls because of the god Chaca, who strikes clouds with his lightning axe. The sun rises because of the god Kinich Ahau, who is married to the moon goddess Ixchel. In short, nothing should ever be taken as face value, for everything has a story behind it—and more often than not, a romantic one.

One particular tale we love is about the Chechen and Chaca trees. Found scattered throughout the lush forests of Yucatan Peninsula, these trees serve as a dynamic duo: the Chechen tree contains a poisonous sap that is remedied by the nectar of the Chaca tree, which is always found growing near. But how did this phenomenon come to be?

Mayan folklore tells the story of two great warriors, Kinich and Tizic, who were brothers of enormous strength, but of very disparate nature. Kinich, the younger brother was merciful and loved by all, while Tizuc was sullen and drew his strength from the anger and hatred in his heart. When both brothers fell tragically in love with the beautiful Nicte-Ha, they battled to the death for her heart.

The fight was long and brutal—the moon hid for several nights, the sky filled with dark clouds, and the ocean became fierce. Eventually, both brothers died in each other’s arms. In the afterlife, they begged for forgiveness and a chance to return to the world of the living to see their beloved Nicte-Ha once more.

The gods were feeling generous that day and granted their wishes. Tizuc was reborn as the Chechen tree and Kinich as the Chaca tree. The trees now solemnly watch over Nicte-Ha who, having died of grief, was reborn as a beautiful and pure white flower. At NIZUC, you’ll find the trees, growing in the reflection pond near the lobby. Be sure to visit them and take in the beautiful result of this tragic love.

Winik’s Kids Club

At NIZUC, there are endless opportunities for families to share many magical moments. Kids will never forget the day spent out on the water lying on mom’s paddleboard counting all the beautiful fish in the reef, or the sunny afternoon they snorkeled with dad.

But where do kids between the ages of 4 and 12 find fun when mom and dad slip away for a cocktail and ceviche? At Winik’s Kids Club, of course. It’s located near the Main Pool at the center of our resort, and offers endless options for fun—completely free of charge.

Our qualified and friendly staff go above and beyond for your little ones, leading activities that take place at the club, in the pool, and on the beach. There are exciting excursions around the resort, easy cooking classes, mini-Olympic tournaments, and piñata parties. There are even ping-pong and hockey tables to play on. And, who can forget the many different watersports we have for your kids to try out?

When they need to take a break from all the action, they can munch on delicious snacks from our kids’ menu, like macaroni and cheese, mini hamburgers, chicken fingers and French fries, as well as Mexican classics like chicken soup with rice and vegetables.

If your tweens are looking for technology access, we have just what they need. Our fast internet keeps them connected, so they can stay in the loop with what’s happening back home. They can also just chill out and watch their favorite movie or play Xbox 360.

No matter what they choose, we promise your kids will come back rested, inspired, and full of stories to tell.

Seafood at NIZUC

There are definite perks to being located at the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula on a 29-acre nature preserve. One of the most delicious of these perks has to be the abundance of fresh seafood. Each day, the culinary team at NIZUC gets its pick of the catch from the Gulf of Mexico to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the east, hauling in the most prime selections. We then prepare these local favorites with a variety of traditional Mayan and inventive new recipes. (Octopus burger, anyone?)

NIZUC’s neighboring waters are teeming with snapper, snook, and hogfish—all of which appear on the restaurants’ seasonal menus. These fish define the perfectly elegant, refreshing flavors of the area whether paired with crisp vegetables or spicy sauces.

A traditional favorite that the NIZUC chefs serve up with pride is Hogfish Tikin Xic. This is a common dish in the Yucatán and involves marinating the fish in achiote paste, a tried-and-true blend of dried annatto seeds, herbs, and peppers. Best on the grill, the achiote-coated fish—with the skin on—is tossed with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, banana leaves, and dried epazote leaves, with a dash of citrus from fresh orange and lime juices.

Our chef has also created some contemporary dishes incorporating the local bounty and honoring beloved, distinctly Mexican techniques, but with a few unexpected twists. Another favorite of visitors to the Yucatán, especially after a hot day in the sun, is a serving of refreshing ceviche. Be sure to try our chef’s own creation, La Punta Ceviche, which brings together more than 30 ingredients—in addition to the signature citrus and chili peppers, of course—to make the seafood really sing.

Whether you opt for the eight-person Chef’s Table, the contemporary Mexican cuisine served at Ramona, or the small-plate Peruvian specialties at Ni, you’ll have the chance to take a culinary journey defined by the fruits of the surrounding sea and centuries of Mayan culture.