Mexico, our neighbor to the south, knows how to make a very good spirit out of a prolific native plant, the agave, and thank goodness it does. Where would we be without tequila?
Now’s not the time to find out. Sunday is National Tequila Day, which means we’ve got the opportunity to toast this versatile beverage with cocktails that show off its sweet and herbaceous soul. The three drinks below are rather different from each other, but they’re all perfect for a hot summer day devoted to tequila.
Mountain Leaf
1 1/2 oz. Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco
1/4 oz. green chartreuse
3/4 oz. lime juice
1/4 oz. agave syrup
1 large arugula leaf, for garnish
Shake with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with arugula leaf.
— James Beard Award-winning bartender Jim Meehan
Blood Orange Margarita
1 1/2 oz. Milagro Silver Tequila
3/4 oz. Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
1 oz. fresh lime juice
3/4 oz. agave nectar
Pour all ingredients into a Boston shaker with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with orange and lime wheels.
— Milagro Tequila
Watermelon Crush
2 oz. Tres Agaves Blanco
3-4 pieces watermelon
1/2 oz. hibiscus syrup (see below)
3/4 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz. coconut water
Muddle the watermelon and combine all ingredients. Shake and strain into a highball. Garnish with a thin watermelon slice.
Hibiscus Syrup
Boil hibiscus tea. Once hot, add in equal parts white sugar to the tea and let dissolve.
— Pamela Wiznitzer of Seamstress
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