Photo: Studio Omg/EyeEm, Getty Images.
Americans love their tequila, and that love is growing. From 2005 to 2015, the Mexican spirit’s popularity skyrocketed, with sales doubling from just under $1.2 billion a year to $2.3 billion. (Ay, ay, ay, that’s a lot of tequila.)
The variety of tequilas on the market is vast, each with a distinct flavor profile. Tequila that comes from the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco tastes sweeter and more floral than the tequila from the lowlands, likely due to the mineral elements and the water source. The common factor, of course, is blue agave, tequila’s key ingredient. (Pro tip: to avoid a brutal hangover, make sure you’re drinking 100% agave tequila and not some off-brand “mixto” made with non-agave sugars.)
July 24 is National Tequila Day, so grab your salt and limes and celebrate your favorite spirit by mixing up these simple tequila cocktails. Then say “adios” to your inhibitions!
Escorpión
Photo: Sal Bautista.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Fidencio Classico Mezcal
- 1 ounce Suerte Silver Tequila
- 1/2 ounce Giffard Apricot liquor
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce house-made orgeat (almond syrup)
- 1 ounce fresh squeezed orange juice
- Dash of Angostura bitters
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients and shake, strain over tall glass with crushed ice. Garnish with citrus peel circle filled with 151 proof rum. Set on fire. Garnish with cinnamon powder. Blow out fire before drinking!
Cocktail by Jettison in Dallas, TX.
Also: 5 Intoxicating Margarita Recipes For Tequila Lovers
Crime + Passion
Photo: Don Julio.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Tequila Don Julio Reposado
- 1/2 ounce poblano liqueur
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 1 3/4 ounces fresh passionfruit juice
- Poblano salt for rimmed glass
Preparation:
Combine Tequila Don Julio Reposado, poblano liqueur, and juices into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a mason jar rimmed with poblano salt over fresh ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig.
Cocktail by Don Julio.
Oaxacan Punch
Photo: Don Julio.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Tequila Don Julio 70
- 1/2 ounce Zacapa Rum 23
- 1/3 ounce tamarind tea
- 1/4 ounce house-made felernum syrup
- 1/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/3 ounce fresh pineapple juice
- Pineapple slice (for garnish)
Preparation:
Combine Tequila Don Julio 70, Zacapa Rum 23, tamarind tea, house-made felernum syrup, and juices into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Garnish with pineapple slice.
Cocktail by Don Julio.
El Diablo
Photo: Astral Tequila.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Astral tequila
- 1/2 ounce Crème De Casis
- 1/2 lime juice
Preparation:
Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Pour into glass. Top with ginger beer.
Cocktail by Astral tequila.
Astral Margarita
Photo: Astral Tequila.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Astral tequila
- 1/2 ounce orange liqueur
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave
Preparation:
Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Pour into glass.
Cocktail by Astral tequila.
Firing Squad
Photo: Astral Tequila.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Astral tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3/4 ounce Grenadine
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
Preparation:
Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Pour into glass.
Cocktail by Astral tequila.
Paloma
Photo: Astral Tequila.
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 ounces Astral tequila
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
Preparation:
Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Pour into glass. Top with grapefruit soda. Garnish with salt rim.
Cocktail by Astral tequila.
Wtrmln Wtr Melonita
Photo: Wtrmln Wtr.
Ingredients:
- Several basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- 1/4 ounce St. Germain
- 1/4 ouce Cointreau
- 1 1/2 ounces Blanco tequila
- Wtrmln Wtr to top
- Salt mix (2 parts black salt, 1 part lime zest, 2 parts Tajin spice, 1 part coconut sugar)
Preparation:
Muddle and strain lime. Add basil. Add coconut sugar. Salt the rime of a margarita glass. Strain cocktail over ice. Garnish with basil and lime.
Cocktail by Wtrmln Wtr.
Casa Noble Punch
Photo: Casa Noble Crystal Tequila.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Casa Noble Crystal Tequila
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 3/4 ounces simple syrup
- Soda water
- Dash bitters
- Pineapple wedge
Preparation:
Place Casa Noble, lime juice, pineapple juice, and simple syrup into shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into glass. Top with soda and bitters. Garnish with pineapple wedge. (Alternative: Substitute lime wedge for pineapple wedge.)
Cocktail by Casa Noble Crystal Tequila.
