July 24th marks National Tequila Day and while we love ourselves a good margarita (the holiday’s unofficial signature cocktail), that’s not the only option you have when it comes to sipping and celebrating. So hold the salt and say no to store-bought sweet and sour mix because we’re about to shake, or stir up, your drink order. Here are five National Tequila Day cocktails that showcase the spirit in all its glory.
Paloma
Ingredients:
Kosher salt
1 grapefruit wedge
2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar
2 oz. mescal or tequila
2 oz. club soda
Instructions:
Pour some kosher salt on a plate. Rub half of rim of a highball glass with grapefruit wedge; dip rim of glass in salt. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sugar in glass; stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in mescal, add ice, and top off with club soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.
Photo and recipe by Bon Appetit
El Diablo
Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 oz. tequila, such as Patrón Reposado
1⁄2 oz. crème de cassis
1⁄2 oz. lime juice
3 oz. ginger beer
Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions:
Combine tequila with crème de cassis and lime juice in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Top with ginger beer. Squeeze a lime wedge over top; drop into glass.
Photo and recipe by SAVEUR
Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients:
2 ounces tequila
4 ounces orange juice
1/2 ounce grenadine
Garnish: orange slice
Garnish: maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions:
Pour the tequila and the orange juice into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Stir. Slowly pour the grenadine around the inside edge of the glass. It will sink and gradually rise to mix with the other ingredients. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
Photo and recipe by The Spruce Eats
Bloody Maria
Ingredients:
1 Lemon wedge
Ground black pepper
1 1⁄2 oz Don Julio Reposado Tequila
6 drops Tabasco Hot Pepper Sauce
8 drops Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch Celery salt
1 tsp Ground horseradish
2 tsp Lime juice
8 oz Tomato juice
Garnish: 1 Lemon wedge
Garnish: Skewered cherry tomatoes
Instructions:
Rub the lemon wedge along the rim of a highball glass and discard. Coat the rim with black pepper. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Stir, and garnish with another lemon wedge and skewered cherry tomatoes.
Photo and recipe by liquor.com
Tequila Sour
Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 oz Tequila Reposado
3⁄4 oz Fresh lemon juice
1⁄4 oz Fresh lime juice
3⁄4 oz Light agave nectar
1 Egg white
Garnish: Bittermens Xocolatl mole bitters (or Angostura bitters)
Instructions:
Add all the ingredients except the bitters to a shaker, and dry-shake (without ice) for 15 seconds. Add ice, shake, and double-strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with 3 drops of the bitters.
Photo and recipe by liquor.com
Abby is The Digest's Managing Editor. She spends her time looking at dogs on Instagram and eating her way around Jersey City.
