If there has ever been a silly reason to drink, celebrating National Tequila Day may be it. To toast the day dedicated to the Blue Weber Agave spirit I reached out to a few of our favorite local mixologists to see what their favorite tequila based libation was. Here are a few of their suggestions, along with a mix of additional ideas, if you are in the tequila mood tonight.
From Jason Kosmas, of the newly launched 86 Company, a line of spirits which are all 86 proof and one of the finest mixologists not only in Dallas, but the country, gave me his recipe for a Yellow Jacket. Unfortunately only the vodka and rum have launched from 86 Company, so he suggests Siembra Azul tequila. Wait a few months and you can make this signature cocktail with his 86 Co. tequila.
The Yellow Jacket
2 ounces Siembra Azul Tequila
1 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
3/4 ounce Yellow Chartreuse
Dash Regan’s Orange Bitters
Directions – Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and stir (not shake.) The cocktail will create a velvety texture as the ingredients come together. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Kosmas also gave me a go to margarita recipe and the story behind it. His Trial Margarita was created when he was talking with the owner of Marquee before he went to work with them. They asked him to create a cocktail, and without really knowing the bar or any ingredients available he went to work and within minutes he had created what may be called his seal-the-deal cocktail, as he was shortly hired thereafter. This one remains on the menu year round at Village Marquee – Texas Grill & Bar using whatever fruit is in season and available.
Trial Margarita
2 ounces Milagro Silver tequila
Fresh Texas peach and an orange
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Honey
Directions – Cut the orange and peach into pieces and muddle them together. Add to an ice filled shaker with the tequila, lemon juice and honey (to taste.) Shake until very cold and strain into a cocktail glass.
From the highly creative Michael Martensen of Cedar’s Social his Mexican Monk.
Mexican Monk
1.5 oz Siembra Azul Blanco
.5 oz Yellow Chartreuse
75 oz Lime Juice
.5 oz agave syrup
1 thin slice of Jalapeño muddled
Directions – Muddle jalapeño then add all ingredient to shaker tin. Add ice to tin and shake hard for 7 seconds. Strain into cocktail glass and garnish with thinly sliced jalapeño.
From our friends at The Dram a spicy, sweet and sparkling idea to make the holiday grand.
Cera la pera
1.5 oz. Patron Silver
3/4 oz. R&W pear liqueur
3/4 oz. Lime juice
.5 oz. Agave nectar
1 drop habanero bitters
Top with 4 oz. prosecco
Directions – Add all ingreidnets except prosecco to an ice filled shaker and shake until cold. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with prosecco.
Grapefruit juice is showing up in every kind of cocktail these days, this one is a take on a classic. I suggest ruby red grapefruit and the reposado tequila.
Avión Paloma
2 parts Avión Silver or Reposado
1 part Grapefruit Juice
½ part Fresh Lime Juice
½ part Simple Syrup
Splash Club Soda
Directions – Build ingredients over ice in a Collins glass, and stir to chill. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Add because what would any tequila day be without a classic margarita made with Cointreau and your favorite blanco or silver tequila. Patron is always a good go to, as is Camarena, Casa Noble or Herradura.
The Original Margarita
2 ounces Cointreau
2 ounce Blanco tequila
1 ounce fresh lime juice
Garnish: Salt and Lime wheel Directions – Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Shake and strain into a Margarita glass.
