10/19/06 Nuevo Latino

Nuevo Latino, it's the new dining movement sweeping the nation from excusive restaurants to family chains. Nuevo Latino or Latin Fusion is full of the bold flavors and the exotic fruits of Central and South America, Cuba, Mexico and the Caribbean. Think of mouth watering shrimp coated with a crispy banana and coconut batter or chimichurris savored with cilantro, garlic and lime juice and you have got the picture. What about drinks. Well Mexico has it's beloved margarita, Cuba has the mojito, (one of my favorites,) now other South American countries want their own signature ink as well their own. In a recent contest to develop a uniquely Nicaraguan drink, a panel of judges determined that the mixture developed by a 67 year old pediatrician Dr. Edmundo Mirananda from the city of Granada was hands down the winner. Named after a tropical bird el macua , the new Nicaraguan cocktail features one part white rum, one part guava juice with a touch of lemon sugar and some ice. The world is flat, but a good drink isn't, so expect el macau's e on your local Applebee's or Chili's drink menu by next summer