Cinco de Mayo is just days away, and this festive celebration wouldn’t be complete without some tequila cocktails to indulge in. Rather than defaulting to the basic frozen margaritas, why not try a few of these creative, but not too difficult options, to make the experience a little more authentic.
Pineapple Cilantro Margarita
Margarita’s are classic tequila cocktails, and while there are hundreds, if not thousands of combinations available, this pineapple-cilantro blend really brings out the best of what margaritas have to offer.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Casamigos Reposado Tequila
- 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
- .5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- .5 oz. Simple Syrup
- 8-10 Cilantro Leaves
- Optional: 1/2 Thick Rim Sugar, Cilantro Salt (equal parts)
Method: Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker and add ice. Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds then strain into rocks glass and add fresh ice. Garnish with 2 pineapple leaves.
Tequila Horchata
Horchata is delicious, tequila is delicious, so naturally the pairing of the two makes for one incredible drink. Just try not to down these too quickly.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 oz blanco tequila
- 1 oz almond milk
- 0.5 oz coconut cream
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sugar, garnish
- Grated nutmeg, garnish
Nutmeg simple syrup: Combine water, sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil on medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved and the liquid looks clear, take off the heat immediately add the nutmeg, stir and let cool.
Method: Coat the rim of an old fashioned glass with cinnamon and sugar, and set aside. Add the homemade nutmeg simple syrup, tequila, almond milk, coconut cream, and vanilla extract to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into the prepared glass with ice.
Classic Paloma
If there is one cocktail more popular than the margarita in Mexico, it’s the Paloma. Extremely easy to make, and super refreshing, Paloma’s may just have you reevaluating your tequila drink of choice.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Espolòn Blanco tequila
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- Grapefruit Soda
- Pinch of Sea Salt
Method: Combine tequila, lime juice and salt in a highball glass on the rocks and top with grapefruit soda. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Milk Maid
This creative concoction comes from archives of The Whistler bar in Chicago. It’s seems weird at first, but the combination is well worth a try.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. blanco tequila
- 0.75 oz. coconut cream
- 0.25 oz. simple syrup
- 0.75 oz. fresh lime juice
- 2 cucumber slices
- Salt, garnish
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker, pour into an old fashioned glass and garnish with the cucumber and a sprinkle of salt.
Pink Dragon
While the most technically challenging cocktail on this list, it’s one that is definitely going to impress your friends.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
- 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup
- 2 Strawberries
- 8–10 Mint Leaves
- Soda Water
- Rose Water
Method: Combine all ingredients, except rose water and soda water into a cocktail shaker. Muddle fruit/herbs and add ice. Shake vigorously then fine strain into a collins glass. Add fresh ice and top off with soda water and 6 dashes of rose water. Garnish with a mint sprig stuck through a half-moon dragon fruit slice (optional, but highly worth the visual appeal).
Ale/Sessions 