Above: Tequila in the Garden.
When you brainstorm on how to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, drinking might not be at the forefront of your mind. But what better way to honor the environment than raising a glass that contains a cocktail made from organic, sustainable ingredients?
One of the first certified organic tequilas on the market was 123 Organic Tequila. That brand’s Blanco (Uno), created by master distiller David Ravandi and featured in the first recipe below, evokes an earthy aroma of agave, lemon peel, black pepper, and minerals. Because tequilas like this one are organic, the natural flavors are that much more apparent. What’s more, the company abides by sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices right down to the recycled glass bottles and labels printed in soy ink on recycled paper.
Racines NY, which contributed the “Earthen” cocktail below, also carries organic spirits such as French organic whiskey from the Alps and Les Moissons from the Domaine des Hautes Glaces.
So do your part this Earth Day and stock up on your favorite sustainable and organic liquor brands, then get the party started!
Tequila in the Garden
Ingredients:
- 3 to 4 cucumber slices
- 1 1/2 ounces 123 Organic Tequila Blanco (Uno)
- 1/2 ounce agave syrup
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- Half handful of arugula
- 2 cracks of white pepper
Preparation:
Start with 3 to 4 cucumber slices muddled in shaker. Add tequila, agave, lime juice, arugula, white pepper, and ice to shaker. Shake and pour contents into pint glass or tumbler. Garnish with additional arugula and one crack white pepper.
Cocktail by mixologist Chris Kramer/Celebrated Spirits. Served at The Larchmont in Los Angeles, California.
Also: Bottoms Up! “Cocktails of the Movies” Will Make You Happy in More Ways Than One
Earthen
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce organic Mezcal Vago Espadin
- 1 ounce lime
- 1 ounce Gentiane liqueur
- Splash simple syrup
Preparation:
Mix ingredients in a shaker; shake. Serve in a rocks glass with one ice cube.
Cocktail by Arnaud Tronche, owner and beverage director at Racines NY.
Simple Spring Orchard
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
- 1 ounce Pimm’s
- 1 ounce Lakewood organic carrot juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients except for cider in a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a pint glass with ice and top with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple. Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint.
Cocktail by mixologist Jeremy Oertel.
