Celebrate National Tequila Day Sun, Dec 04, 22 | cocktail recipes Friday, July 24th is National Tequila Day. That’s right there’s an entire day dedicated to celebrating the magical Mexican elixir that is tequila. It’s a great time to be alive. So grab your favorite tequila cocktail (or two) and let’s all raise a glass to the amazing liquor that is Tequila. All we ask is you please do so responsibly. Tequila, which is produced only in certain parts of Mexico using the regional blue agave plant. So grab the salt, cut some lemons and limes, and remember your Spanish toast: Arriba! (up, with a raise of the glass); Abajo! (below to the table); Al centro! (in the center, toast with friends); and A dentro! (inside, as in down the gullet.) Why We Love National Tequila Day The ultimate craft drink Tequila — if properly done — is crafted from the blue agave plant, which is harvested by hand. It’s then stripped down to the pulp and ground up in a stone bowl by workers, and the extract is then collected and distilled. Farmers also have to wait between eight and 12 years for the agave plant to reach the right age to harvest it. It’s a time- and labor-intensive process, so keep that in mind the next time you’re taking a swig. It’s got a cult following Whether it’s songs about the burn or movies about tequila-fueled bachelorette parties, the blood of the agave plant has made a name for itself in pop culture. Can you finish comedian George Carlin’s now famous line, that goes a little something like “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila…”? We’ll give you a hint: It rhymes with “four.” Accept no substitution In the entire world, there are only five specific regions in one country — Mexico — that can make the spirit and call it tequila. This puts it on the same status level as champagne, which can only be made in Champagne, France, or Scotch Whiskey that follows strict Scottish distilling laws. Cocktails oh my Tequila Sunrises and Margaritas get all the press coverage, but there are dozens of drinks that take advantage of the tang of good tequila. You’ve probably heard of a Moscow Mule, but why not kick that into a Mayan Mule? Replace vodka with tequila and you’ll be partying like it’s 800 AD. Here’s a few cocktail recipes to get you started. Mayan Mule Ingredients: 2oz Los Rijos Reposado Tequila 1/2oz parts lime juice 2 dashes Angostura Bitters 3oz ginger beer Garnish: mint sprigs and lime wheel Directions: Fill copper mug or glass with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, bitters, and ginger beer. Garnish with mint and lime. La Paloma Ingredients: 2 oz. Bayo Silver Tequila 1/2 oz. lime juice 7 oz. grapefruit soda Garnish: pinch of salt (for the rim) and grapefruit wedge Directions: Rub rim of a tall glass with grapefruit wedge and rim glass with salt. Fill with ice and add tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit juice. Garnish with grapefruit wedge. El Diablo Ingredients: 1½ oz. Los Rijos Anejo Tequila ½ oz. crème de cassis ½ oz. fresh lime juice 2–3 oz. ginger beer Garnish: lime wedge and blackberries Directions:Fill glass with ice and add tequila, creme de cassis, lime juice, and ginger beer. Garnish with lime wedge and blackberries. The Perfect Margarita Ingredients 2 ounces Los Rijos Silver Tequila 1 ounce Paisley & Sage Triple Sec 1 ounce Fresh lime juice Splash of OJ 1/2 tsp of agave nectar Salt for rim (optional) Lime for garnish Directions Run a lime wedge around the outer edge of a margarita glass or rocks glass and coat the rim with salt (optional). Add 2 ounces of Los Rijos Silver Tequila, 1 ounce of Paisley & Sage Triple Sec, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, splash of OJ, and 1/2 tsp of agave nectar to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled and pour into prepared glass. Garnish with a lime.
