Skip to main content

Specialty Cocktails for National Tequila Day

With July coming to an end, it’s crazy to think that the summer is almost half-over. But, with the recent rash of heat and summer storms all over the country, it’s easy to believe. This is the part of the summer where it seems like everyone is on vacation. If you happen to be one of the unlucky stiffs slogging through the season without a solid break in the action, we’ve got something for you to look forward to: Friday is National Tequila Day.

A lot of people are wary of tequila, but we here at The Manual love it, whether it is served straight up, on the rocks with a little salt and lime, or as part of a delicious cocktail. In fact, tequila cocktails are this particular writer’s favorite kind of cocktail.

Recommended Videos

So, in order to celebrate National Tequila Day, we would like to present you with a list of specialty tequila cocktails from some of the country’s leading mixologists. We have recipes from Miami, New York and Los Angeles that you can try your hand at making in the comfort of your very own him. Or, if you live in one of those three cities, you can get your ass over to some of these very fine establishments and enjoy National Tequila Day with a next level drink (or two).

New York City

EXTRA FANCY

Drink: “Peach Colored Glasses” by Meaghan Montagano

Ingredients:

  • 5 oz. DeLeòn Platinum Tequila
  • 1 oz. Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach
  • .75 oz. spiced honey syrup
  • .5 oz. lemon juice
  • .5 oz. peach puree
  • Sparkling brut rose

Shake DeLeòn Tequila, Grand Marnier, syrup, lemon and peach puree over ice and top with a splash of sparkling brut rose.

PALM COURT AT THE PLAZA HOTEL

Drink: “Lost Horizon” by James Menite

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. DeLeòn Platinum Tequila
  • 1 oz. Perfect Puree papaya puree
  • 1 whole egg
  • .5 oz. simple syrup
  • 2 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • 5 dried cranberries and orange peel

In a Koriko shaker, shake 1 whole egg for 1 minute vigorously to emulsify. Add ice and all other ingredients, incorporate with a second shake, then double strain ingredients into a chilled Coupe. Add 5 dried cranberries and orange peel for garnish with freshly grated nutmeg. Enjoy deliciousness.

The Plaza James Menite
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Los Angeles

SASSAFRAS SALOON

Drink: “La Cafina” by Karen Grill

Ingredients:

  • 5 oz. DeLeòn Platinum Tequila
  • .5 oz. La Nina Primario
  • .75 oz. pineapple chili shrib
  • .5 oz. line juice
  • Shaved cinnamon

Add all ingredients but cinnamon to shaker tin and shake vigorously over ice. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Shave cinnamon over top and garnish with pineapple wedge and jalapeno slice.

BARTONI’S

Drink: “Summer of Love” by Aidan Demarest

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. DeLeòn Platinum Tequila
  • .25 oz. Smith and Cross Rum
  • .75 oz. Sherry
  • .5 oz. Velvet Falernum
  • .75 oz. lime juice
  • .5 oz. passion fruit syrup

Shake all ingredients and pour into a frosted mug over crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Toca Madera Agave Por Vida
Image used with permission by copyright holder

TOCA MADERA

Drink: “Agave Por Vida” by Juan Martinez

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. DeLeòn Platinum Tequila
  • Fresh Watermelon
  • .5 oz. watermelon mint shrub
  • .5 oz. sweetened ginger juice
  • 1 oz. lime juice
  • Tamarind Candy

Build cocktail in tin, throw two pieces of watermelon into tin and muddle. Add lime juice, ginger juice, watermelon- mint shrub and DeLeòn Platinum. Shake and pour into Cantarito (clay cup). Top off with more fresh ice and garnish with mint sprig and tamarind candy.

Miami

REGENT COCKTAIL CLUB

Drink: “Cobbleone” by Richie Petronzi

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. DeLeòn Platinum Tequila
  • 1 oz. lemon juice
  • 1 oz. agave syrup
  • .5 oz Amontillado Sherry
  • .5 oz. Pedro Ximenez Sherry

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker except for the Pedro Ximenez Sherry. Shake well and pour into a double old fashioned glass. Top with crushed ice and float Pedro Ximenez Sherry on top. Garnish with blackberries and raspberries.

Topics
Matt Domino
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Domino is a writer living in Brooklyn. His fiction has appeared in Slice and The Montreal Review, while his non-fiction…
Explore the whiskey lover’s choices for National Cocktail Day
Cheers to the day with the iconic cocktail spirit
Wyoming Whiskey

With today being National Cocktail Day, we've already covered some great drink options for vodka lovers. But if you're a whiskey fan -- particularly if you usually drink your whiskey neat -- then this can be a great excuse to try mixing with this spirit too. Whiskey has such a powerful flavor that it doesn't need to be used in large amounts to have a big impact on a drink, but even in small amounts it can add a depth and complexity to a drink that no other spirit offers.

If you're considering raising a glass tonight, then these suggestions for Wyoming Whiskey are sure to hit the mark.
Banana Old Fashioned
Ingredients:

Read more
Mix up your cocktails with Munyon’s Paw-Paw, Florida’s best-kept secret
Give the kiss of citrus to your cocktails
Munyon's Paw-Paw.

In the land of cocktails, there's a lot to keep up with. From sizzling trends like mocktails and savory drinks to lesser-known liqueurs, the spectrum seems to widen every day. But if there's one thing you need right now as we finish out the winter, it's a splash of citrus.

Enter Munyon's Paw-Paw, a citrus liqueur from the state of Florida. The elixir dates back to the early 20th Century and features a nice bittersweet kick of orange. You get the punchy fruit flavor along with the bitter notes of the rind, making Munyon's Paw-Paw an ideal aperitif.

Read more
Drink like a champion: 3 incredible cocktails for March Madness fans
Get into the 'spirit' of the game
Basketball ball going through the hoop

Kansas City is well known for taking March Madness seriously. Located 30 minutes from the birthplace of basketball and home of the Jayhawks, Kansas City is all about celebrating this basketball season. In honor of March Madness, Andrew Olsen, mixologist and beverage director of J. Rieger & Co., the original distillery of K.C., created these three March Madness-inspired cocktails to capture the spirit of the season. These three March Madness cocktails are crafted with passion and pride (and will surely surprise you at how good they taste).
The Hooper

The Hooper is a refreshing tribute to the passion and spirit of basketball fans worldwide. This drink combines Rieger's Straight Rye Whiskey for a foundation with fino sherry to add a dry, nutty complexity. Layering in a touch of banana liqueur introduces a smooth, fruity note, harmoniously balanced by the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice. The Hooper can be served over crushed ice and garnished with a fresh mint spring and an orange wheel for a fun, basketball-inspired theme. I like this option for game-day watch parties, paired with savory snack options like spiced nuts or aged cheeses from a charcuterie board.
Ingredients

Read more