It's Monday Funday and what better way to have fun than with tequila. Here are five ways to celebrate National Tequila Day which is also today. Whether you are looking for a new tequila to try or a new recipe to use it in. I've got you covered here. Many people have a love/hate relationship with this spirit from Mexico. I for one, love it.
A note about tequila
It really is an interesting sprit. To be classified as tequila, the spirit must be made with the blue agave plant. There is a city in Mexico named Tequila. It an only come from five areas of the country with the state of Jalisco being the most important. There are lowland and highland growing areas, each offering unique characteristics to the agave.
There are so many different kinds of tequila and some are so good you wouldn't dare mix them in a cocktail. Blanco is the silver or white tequila that is young and more often used in cocktails. Reposado means rested. The spirit rests in barrels from 2 to 12 months to add a depth of flavor. These are used both in cocktails and solo. Anejo is the higher end tequila that spends a minimum of a year in oak. The flavor is richer and it's a spirit that is more often sipped and savored, like bourbon or whiskey.
National Tequila Day favorite Patron is a popular and widely known tequila and they have several kinds under their label.
The photo above uses Patron Silver for the classic Ranch Water cocktail. It's a refreshing summertime sipper and super easy to make. You simply take 1 1/2 ounces of Patron, 3/4 ounce lime juice and a 12 ounces bottler of sparkling water. Put the tequila and lime juice in a Collins glass full of ice, then top with the sparkling water or even club soda and stir gently.
There is so much more to tequila than shots and the classic Margarita. Enjoy these five ways to celebrate National Tequila Day.
Live Long And Prosper with Prospero
Prospero Tequila is handcrafted from the lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico. This recipe uses the silver and the addition of tropical fruit, it is perfect for these hot summer days. I sampled the award winning Anejo over the weekend. Aged in oak for 12 months, it was smooth, with caramel flavors. It goes down easy when simply on the rocks.
Live Long And Prospero
1 oz. Próspero” Blanco
1.5 oz. Coconut Water
.3 oz. Honey
1 oz. Mango Juice
.6 oz. Lime Juice
Top with Raspberry Hard Seltzer
Shake the first 5 ingredients together, pour over ice in a tall glass, and top with Raspberry Hard Seltzer. Garnish with 3 Raspberries
Tequila and Rose, Yes Way
Rose is the wine of the summer and Cenote Tequila uses it in one of their cocktails. I recently tried Cenote Reposado and it is another one to enjoy solo, on the rocks. It is warm and comforting with vanilla and tobacco flavors, and a little toasted orange. Cenote uses their silver tequila for this refreshing wine spritz.
Cenote Rose Spritz
1.5 oz of Cenote Tequila
3 oz of Grapefruit Soda
1 oz of Rose Wine
A dash of Rose bitters
Combine, shake, and strain over ice. Garnish with an orange peel or slice.
Tequila and Coffee
CAZADORES Café is a new release. This tequila based coffee liquor is made with 100% agave, roasted coffee, and agave nectar. It is so good and so fun. Serve it for dessert over ice to get that coffee kick without a full dose of caffeine. Below is a super simple espresso martini. Warning, you'll want more than one.
CAZADORES Café Espresso Martini Recipe
2 oz. CAZADORES Café
2 oz. Fresh Brewed Coffee or 1 oz. Espresso
Coffee beans
Combine ingredients with ice, shake and serve up in a cocktail. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.
Celebrity Brands
Numerous celebrities have jumped on the tequila bandwagon and are making some really good spirits. Comedian and actor Kevin Hart is one of them. He teamed up with 11th generation Tequila Maestro Juan Domingo Beckman to make Gran Coramino Reposado and Anejo. The packaging is beautiful for any bar cart. Watermelons are in season now so I had to include a recipe using them.
Reality Check Margarita
- 2oz Gran Coramino Cristalino
- 0.5oz Agave Syrup
- 0.75oz Lime Juice
- 1.5oz Watermelon Juice
Half-rim a rocks glass with Tajin. In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients. Add fresh ice, then shake and strain into rocks glass. Garnish with Watermelon slice and Basil leaf.
Brand That Gives Back
El Cristiano has been around for four decades. Award winning it has no additives. Besides it's clean taste, perhaps the best part about this brand is their mission to give back to the communities from which the blue agave they use is sourced. A portion of their sales is donated to the Arandas orphanage, for laptops to the church of Arandas for its schools, and the creation of a new local children's bicycle club. That's something to toast to. Cheers.
