National Tequila Day
July 24th, 2009 | Published in Cocktail Recipes, Fruit Recipes | 1 Comment
I admit it; I am only human. Especially where technology is concerned. Maybe challenged, even. So, my system has been down for the last 2 days (for what turns out to be user-error), which prevented me from putting up this wonderful post about Tequila. This is only really a tragedy because Friday was National Tequila Day in America. That’s two days ago. Aargh!
However, I assert that any warm summer day could just as easily be National Tequila Day, so how about today—Sunday July 26th? Olé!
I grew up in Southern California where tequila was practically the official spirit. Which is pretty interesting when you consider that until the creation of the Margarita, tequila was an unknown ingredient in American cocktails. But the Margarita crossed the border from Tijuana into California (in the 1930s or ’40s, memories and recorded data are a little fuzzy on this) and transformed Tequila into a real player on the American bar scene. That popularity has only expanded over the decades. So, it’s only natural that I’ve developed some pretty strong opinions about the correct way to mix up a perfect Margarita and created an armload of other creative tequila quaffs, as well.
Following is my recipe for the classic Margarita and some other summer-friendly ways to use up that bottle of Patron, Herradura, or Conmemorativo you invested in on your last vacation in Cancun.
photo Colleen Duffley
Mejor Melon
This is one of the great ways to include summer’s quintessential fruit in a cocktail. It’s also a tart, unusual way to enjoy tequila. The style of the Mejor is basically a watermelon margarita with a hint of chile heat.
Makes 1 cocktail
- 1 cup seedless watermelon chunks (makes about 1/3 cup)
- 2 ounces white or silver tequila
- 1 ounce lemon simple syrup
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- Lime wedge
- Soda water or ginger ale to top (optional)
- Spiced salt for rim (mix 1 teaspoon kosher salt, a generous pinch of ground cayenne pepper, and a small pinch of ground ginger)
- Watermelon wedge or chunks.
GARNISH
- Purée the watermelon chunks in a blender. Strain the purée into a tall glass.
- Combine the watermelon purée with the tequila, lemon simple syrup, lime juice, and Cointreau. Stir to mix.
- Moisten the rim of a tall serving glass with the lime wedge and press the glass into the spiced salt. Reserve the lime for garnish and fill the glass with ice.
- Strain the mixture into the serving glass. Top with a splash of soda water or ginger ale, if desired.
- Squeeze the reserved lime wedge into the glass and garnish with a watermelon wedge or chunks.
The Classic Margarita Recipe
It is essential to serve this great cocktail “on the rocks” as it was created—not blended into a slushy concoction.
Makes about 8 cocktails
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 cups good quality tequila (gold or white, depending on your taste)
- 1/2 cup Grand Marnier or triple sec
- 8 margarita or martini glasses
- Thinly sliced lime wheels
- Coarse salt or margarita salt
GARNISH
- Moisten the rim of each glass on a damp sponge and then press the rim into the coarse salt to coat. Slip a lime wedge over the rim.
- Combine the first 3 ingredients in a large pitcher with ice. Stir to blend and chill. Pour into a salt-rimmed glass. Add additional ice to the glass if you prefer.
La Playa
Papayas and tequila are two of Mexico’s greatest exports. Enjoy them combined here in a tall quaff that’s sure to evoke this tranquil land.
Makes 1 cocktail
- 2 ounces Patron Silver tequila
- 2 strips lime peel
- 1 ounce Patron Citronage
- 1/3 cup papaya nectar
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Lime wedge dipped in mixture of equal parts cayenne pepper and sugar
GARNISH
- Combine the tequila and the lime strips in the bottom of a cocktail shaker and muddle to bruise the peel.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously to chill. Strain into a tall, ice-filled glass. Garnish with the cayenne-sugar lime wedge.
July 26th, 2009at 9:17 pm(#)
If you for any reason are having trouble getting rid of tequila, please give me a call. Love the watermelon margarita recipe as an excellent excuse to combine the great watermelon taste with a good silver tequila. And small papaya ice cubes also go well in a chilled shot of tequila blanco. Thanks for the tips.
Gary