Tequila look at this: Cheerful sips for Cinco de Mayo
Tequila. Made from blue agave and distilled primarily in the Mexican state of Jalisco, tequila embodies Mexican heritage and craftsmanship. It plays an important role in celebrations and social gatherings and is used in a variety of traditional cocktails and culinary creations, making it a versatile ingredient for any occasion. With that in mind, what better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a bright, cheerful beverage with tequila as the star?
Crafty Cocktail
Let's start with something a little different yet utterly appropriate for the occasion: the Mexican Flag cocktail. This clever layered drink mirrors the green, white, and red of the Mexican flag, and it is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce of grenadine
- ½ ounce of tequila blanco
- ½ ounce of green crème de menthe
Instructions
- In a clear shot glass, pour the grenadine.
- Slowly pour the tequila blanco over the back of a spoon, layering it gently on top of the grenadine.
- Repeat the slow pour with the green crème de menthe, layering it on top of the tequila.
- Garnish with a twist of lime, a mint leaf, or a slice of jalapeño for a spicy kick.
Tip: If you don’t care for mint, try substituting Midori for the crème de menthe. Its bright, fruity flavor pairs well with tequila.
Make it a mocktail
Use coconut cream or coconut milk instead of tequila for the white layer and lime juice or green apple juice for the green. Optionally, add a little fizz with a splash of club soda or sparkling water.
Sunny Side Up
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, how about a vibrant, citrusy tequila sunrise? With just three ingredients—tequila, orange juice, and grenadine—it’s easy to make and refreshing to boot.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 oz. tequila
- 4 oz. orange juice
- ½ oz. grenadine
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the tequila and orange juice.
- Slowly pour the grenadine over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass to create a gradient effect.
- Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
Make it a mocktail
Substitute club soda or sparkling water for the tequila.
Margarita State of Mind
Finally, a fiesta favorite—the margarita. A good margarita mix makes this drink quick and easy to prepare
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1 part tequila
- 2 to 4 parts Four Brother's Margarita Mix (classic or strawberry)
- Margarita salt, granulated sugar, or Tajín seasoning (optional, for rimming)
Instructions
- In an ice-filled shaker, combine the tequila and Four Brother’s margarita mix.
- Seal the shaker and shake it like maracas.
- Strain the mixture into an ice-filled glass.
- To rim the glass, run a lime wedge around the rim and dip it in margarita salt, granulated sugar, or Tajín seasoning.
- Garnish the rim with a lime wedge or a strawberry.
Blend the Booze
Prefer it blended? Add the same ratio of tequila to mix and 1 to 2 cups of ice. Blend until smooth and the ice is crushed, and then pour it into a glass and garnish to your heart’s content.
Make it a Mocktail
Combine 4 oz. margarita mix with 1 oz. agave syrup or agave nectar and 1 oz. fresh lime juice. Or keep it simple and just replace the tequila with club soda or sparkling water.
