Tequila is alcohol royalty in Mexican heritage. If you choose to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (or just want a reason to indulge in hispanic culture), you must dive head-first into tequila. Not literally, but you should experiment with some new cocktails. A classic margarita is always nice. But this is a special day, so you deserve more. And that’s what I’m here to give you.
Mexican Mule
Shake 2 oz. tequila of your choice, 1 oz. lime juice, and 1 tsp. simple syrup with ice. Strain the ingredients into a separate cup of ice. Finish it with 3 oz. of ginger ale.
Mimosa Margarita
Mix 10 oz. frozen concentrated orange juice, 3.5 oz. tequila, .5 oz. orange liquor, and ice in a blender. Pour the concoction into glasses. Garnish with orange wedges.
Añejo Honey
Combine 1 1/2 oz. añejo tequila, 3/4 oz. lemon juice, and 3/4 oz. honey syrup at a 2:1 ratio. Shake, then strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with grapefruit or lemon peels.
Watermelon Margarita
Mix together 2 oz. blanco tequila, 1 oz. freshly-pureed watermelon, 3/4 oz. honey, 3/4 oz. lime juice, and 3 drops rose water in a shaker with ice. Shake, strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel and mint sprig.
Pineapple Paloma
Stir together 4 oz. tequila, 4 oz. grapefruit juice, 1 oz. lime juice, and 8 oz. pineapple soda with ice. Garnish with fresh pineapple.
Chocolate Margarita
Blend 1 1/2 oz. blanco tequila, 1 oz. triple sec, chocolate ice cream, white and dark chocolate ganache, and crushed ice until smooth. Pour into a margarita glass. Garnish with a dark chocolate slice.
Internal Affair
Combine 2 oz. silver tequila, 1 oz. homemade jalapeño syrup (jalapeños, sugar and water), 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, 1/2 oz. agave nectar, and 1/2 oz. pineapple juice. Pour into a glass with ice. Add three torn fresh basil leaves.
Merida
Mix 1 oz. silver tequila, 1 oz. ginger syrup, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, 2 oz. ginger ale, and 2 oz. tonic water in a shaker. Shake, strain over ice, and garnish with mango.
Hibiscus Paloma
Mix 2 oz. silver tequila, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1 oz. hibiscus tea syrup, 1 oz. grapefruit juice, and a touch of sea salt into a shaker. Shake, then strain into a glass with ice.
La Fresa
Combine 1/3 oz. Tequila Don Julio Reposado, 1/2 oz. strawberry puree, 3/4 oz. white zinfandel, and 1 tsp. fresh lemon in a shaker over ice. Shake then strain into a glass and garnish with strawberries.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
