You know all those national day celebrations that you see people posting about on social media? Some of them are pretty silly, but some are fun reminders. Like National Tequila Day, which falls on July 24. If you like tequila, it's just a fun day to make a toast with your favorite tequila. If you aren't all that familiar with tequila, it is the perfect time to try out some new to you tequilas and make some yummy tequila cocktails.
More from MamáLatinas: Delicious Mexican cocktails to try today
Oh, and did you know that tequila can only legally be produced in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas, Mexico? It also must be made from at least 51% blue agave. If an alcohol is produced just like tequila, tastes like tequila, but doesn't come from one of the five places above, then it can't be called tequila. Instead it will be called agave spirit or mezcal. I'll tell you a secret, though, you could totally make the following tequila cocktails with an agave alcohol of any other name.
Try a refreshing watermelon and ginger cocktail.
Follow the recipe below to make one cocktail. If you are sharing, be sure to double, triple, quadruple, and so forth the recipe.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
¼ oz. Cointreau
2 oz. fresh-pressed watermelon juice (or 1 oz. of a good-quality bottled puree)
½ oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
½ oz. ginger syrup*
Instructions: Build in a mixing glass, then shake and pour over fresh ice in a Collins glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge, if desired.
*Ginger Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine ½ pound fresh ginger and ½ liter Tres Agave Nectar over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a very light boil, stirring occasionally. Strain and allow the mixture to cool for 25 minutes.
Cruz Desayuno is a pretty one.
This one looks fancy in a martini glass. Follow the recipe below for one serving.
Ingredients
2 oz. Cruz Silver Tequila
1 oz. Dolin Blanc Vermouth
1/2 oz. green chartreuse
1 dash orange bitters
Instructions: Stir in cocktail shaker, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon, lime, or grapefruit peel (optional).
A real fresh margarita is always a winner.
This baby is meant to be shaken not blended.
Ingredients
2 oz. Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Tres Agaves Cocktail-Ready Agave Nectar
1 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
Lime wheel or wedge, for garnish (optional)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Salted rim and garnish, if desired.
This Jalisco scramble is a party pleaser.
Use the following recipe to mix up one serving.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Crown maple syrup
½ oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
½ oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
½ oz. Crème de Mure
Lemon spiral twist and fresh blackberries, for garnish
Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Drizzle the Crème de Mure over the top; sno-cone style. Garnish.
A Cruz raspberry absinthe is almost too pretty to drink.
But drink it because you can always make another one using this recipe below.
Ingredients
2 oz. Cruz Reposado Tequila
3/4 oz. Cointreau orange liqueur
1 barspoon of Kubler Absinthe
Splash Crown maple syrup
1 fresh squeezed lime
1/2 oz. raspberry puree
Preparation: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a raspberry and lime rind.
A paloma is a tequila cocktail standard.
If you've never tried one of these, it's time! Seriously! One paloma coming right up after you follow this recipe.
Ingredients
2 oz. tequila
1 ruby red grapefruit squeezed
1/2 lime squeezed
A splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur (optional)
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
The Jalisco Express in honor of the Tequila Express.
The Jalisco Express was created to honor the Tequila Express—a train that travels through the tequila-growing region. To make this cocktail with a spicy punch, follow the directions below.
Ingredients
2 parts white tequila, such as Tres Agaves Blanco
3/4 parts lime juice
3/4 parts agave syrup
1 slice of jalapeño (no seeds)
2 cucumber slices
Pinch of basil (6 to 8 small leaves)
Tajín
Instructions: Place basil, then jalapeño and cucumber slices in shaker; add agave syrup and muddle. Add in remaining ingredients and ice. Shake, double strain and serve over ice in lowball glass; garnish with a Tajín rim.
El Gavilán is a good paloma alternative.
Ingredients
2 parts tequila reposado, such as Tres Agaves Reposado
1/2 part grapefruit juice
3/4 parts lime juice
3/4 parts demerara syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
Top with Mexican grapefruit soda (such as Squirt or Jarritos)
Instructions: Add all ingredients except soda to the shaker; add ice, shake and strain over ice. Top off with Mexican soda and garnish with lime wheel; serve in highball glass.
A tequila sunrise really does look like a gorgeous sunrise.
But, unlike, an actual sunrise, you don't have to get up early to enjoy it. The cocktail only has three ingredients: tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. Once you master the technique you'll be able to sip on a sunrise any time of day. Get the full recipe here.
Have you ever had ranch water?
Ranch water is a Texas favorite and is made with three ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico mineral water. You don't even need a recipe for it, you can just adjust to taste. Basically, fill a tall glass with ice, add about 3 oz. of Blanco tequila to it, squeeze about a 1/4 of a lime into it, then top off with Top Chico.
