National Tequila Day, also known as International Tequila Day, is celebrated on July 24 each year to give the spotlight to one of the world’s most popular spirits for mixing delicious cocktails. It’s not an official holiday, of course, and unfortunately it falls on a Monday this year, but these five cocktails make a good case for it always being the right time for tequila.
Velas Margarita
At the beautiful Grand Velas Los Cabos, resort guests discover that just one of the welcome amenities is that all suites are stocked with margarita ingredients. Our favorite order at the pools and the luxury all-inclusive’s many restaurants and bars is the Grand Velas’ signature Velas Margarita.
1.5 oz. Espoloñ Silver Tequila
1 oz. Grand Marnier
1 oz. Passion Fruit Pulp
3/4 oz. Coconut Cream
1 oz. Lime Juice
Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Pour into an old-fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with orange peel and grated coconut.
Frozen Mango Margarita
When the heat is on, cool down with this treat for four created by Elliott Clark of Apartment Bartender.
6 oz. Astral Tequila Reposado
3 oz. Orange Liqueur (you can never go wrong with Grand Marnier)
4 oz. Lime juice
2 oz. Agave nectar
2 sliced mangos
Chili salt and lime slice to garnish
Method: Combine all ingredients into a blender. Add ice and blend. Pour drinks into rocks glasses rimmed with chili salt (we especially love Tajin). Garnish with lime wheels.
The Green Dragon
Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeño tequila mixed with soda water makes for a simple and delicious refresher, but we recommend the elaborate Green Dragon cocktail created by Johnny Soumphonphakdy, Bar Manager at Wu Chow in Austin, Texas.
1.5 oz. Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeño
.5 oz. Ancho Chile Liqueur
1 oz. Lime Juice
2 oz. Lychee Drink
Splash of Soda
Pineapple & Jalapeño slices
Method: Combine Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeno, Ancho Chile Liqueur and Lychee Drink in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of soda and garnish.
Strawberry Rose Paloma
Omni Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio of 50+ properties is putting a refreshing twist on iced tea this summer with Omni’s Summer of Tea menu including the Strawberry Rose Paloma. “This delightful drink is the perfect way to combine cocktail hour with tea time, offering the perfect balance on hot days,” said Chef David Harker, Omni’s Corporate Executive Chef.
1.5 oz. Herradura Silver Tequila
.5 oz. Aperol
.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
.75 oz. Monin Strawberry Rose Syrup
2 oz. White Rose Tea, brewed
1 oz. Owen’s Rio Red Grapefruit
3 Fresh Strawberry Slices
Strawberry Boba Pearls
DTD Gold Dusted Dried Rose Petal
Method: Shake and strain the first 4 ingredients over fresh ice in a highball glass. Top with 2 oz. White Rose Tea and Owen’s Rio Red Grapefruit. Garnish with strawberry slices, boba pearls and rose petal.
Ziggy Basara
Because we personally sampled all the cocktails above, it seems we’ve forgotten how to count to five. So here’s an especially beautiful bonus recipe from Erin Davey, Corporate Beverage Manager of Sake No Hana https://taogroup.com/venues/sake-no-hana-new-york/ and The Highlight Room at Foxy LES https://taogroup.com/venues/the-highlight-room-new-york/ in New York.
1.5 oz Mijenta Blanco tequila
.25 oz Gray Whale gin
.25 oz Ume plum liqueur
1 oz lime juice
.75 oz black pepper-infused agave syrup
1 umeboshi, muddled
Method: Add umeboshi to a tin and muddle, then add the rest of the ingredients plus ice. Shake to combine. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
