International Tequila Day! Celebrate this “Sunday /Funday” with Cocktail Recipes

Bloody Mary Tequila Mariachi, courtesy Patron

Don’t know your tequila from the days of shots and salt?! A quick primer: Tequila is a Mexican spirit from Mexico, dating back thousands of years to the Aztecs when it was known in the form of a milky, fermented drink known as pulque. This drink, which used the sap of the agave plant - used to make tequila today, was worshipped by the Aztecs - so much so that two gods were attributed to it, Mayahuel - a female divinity, (naturally) and Patecatl - the god of healing and fertility; the husband of Mayahuel. A cocktail couple to rival Zelda and F.Scott Fitzgerald, no doubt. 

Fast forward to the Spanish Conquest, when Spanish troops expedited the tequila we know today by improvising with mud and agave. From this, mezcal was created. In the mid 16th century, the trade between Mexico and Spain launched the first major tequila distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico.

In 1974, Mexico claimed intellectual property of the term “tequila” which is why it must be made and aged in specific areas of Mexico - in the same way France safeguards its native Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system.

And now, in 2016, bars and restaurants everywhere have fallen back in love with tequila, which is a must-serve cocktail at parties, events, and, of course, on International Tequila Day!

Creative tequila recipes to celebrate National Tequila Day: 

Twisted Bocktail 

Just as its name suggests, this beer cocktail highlights a refreshing twist by combining Tres Agaves Reposado’s wonderfully fresh taste with lemon and a splash of Hefeweisen.

1 ¼ parts Tres Agaves Reposado

¾ part Lemon

½ part Cointreau

½ part Simple Syrup Hefeweisen

Method:

Combine all ingredients minus the beer; shake and strain into a highball. Top with beer and garnish with lemon.

Green with Envy 
Cruz Tequila’s smooth and soft palate compliments the tart yet fresh tasting concoction that has just the right sized pinch of heat to tantalize your senses in the heat of July.

1 ¾ parts CRUZ Reposado Tequila

¾ part Lime

¾ part Honey Water

2-3 pieces Green Pepper

Dash of Cayenne

Method: 

Shake and strain into a lowball glass rimmed with a cayenne, sea salt and white pepper rim.

Maestro Dobel Diamante Lemon Margarita

16 oz ice

8 oz Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila

2 oz of fresh lemon juice

4 oz Agavero Orange Liqueur

1 lemon wheel

Method: 

Add ice, Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila, lemon juice, and Agavero, stirring vigorously. Serve in a cocktail glass with ice and a lemon wheel for garnish.

Bazaar Bloody Maria

Red tomatoes + Pinch Piri Piri

Orange tomatoes + Habanero

Yellow tomatoes + Saffron

Green tomatoes + Zaatar - a spice that is a mix of salt and sesame seed

Pinch Salt

Pinch Pepper

2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

2 oz Water

Method:

Blend ingredients together well and strain for seeds. Make the Bloody Maria ice cubes in advance and freeze each color individually.

In a highball glass crush 1-2 Bloody Maria ice cubes of each tomato color. Fill the highball with ice, layering by color.

In a glass, combine 2 oz Patron Reposado

.75 oz lemon juice

3 dashes Bittermans hellfire bitters

5 dashes horseradish tincture

Pour mixture into the highball glass over ice; add straw and garnish.

Cheers!

This feature was prepared and written in conjunction with Shannon Ho, Garden Glamour guest reporter and intern.  Thank you!