Four Tequila Cocktails That Aren’t Margaritas (and Two That Are)
Nov 13, 2024
Summer is here; we can almost taste it.
The on-trend cocktail this summer is, of course (still) the Margarita and Tequila, and it’s up to us to oblige by providing guests with the classic that they look forward to, along with some options for exploring Agave and its versatility in cocktails.
We recommend Tommy’s Margarita as our classic serve. It focuses on agave flavour (thanks to the addition of Agave syrup in place of Triple Sec) and it’s on the rocks format makes it well suited to an Aussie summer.
Tommy’s Margarita
60ml Don Julio/ Casamigos Blanco
30ml lime juice
15ml agave syrup
Lime wedge
Rocks glass
Cubed ice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake, and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish and serve.
Approx 1.8 Std Drinks
The Spicy Marg is probably the most popular flavoured margarita and there are a lot of ways to add chilli flavour to your margarita. You can try infusing your Tequila with dried or fresh chilli or muddling it into your shaker as you prepare each drink. Our preference is to use a hot sauce as a modifier as these products provide consistency in flavour and heat that are more difficult to manage when using fresh chillies.
Spicy Margarita
60ml Don Julio/ Casamigos Blanco
30ml Lime juice
10ml Agave Syrup
3 dashes of Spicy hot sauce (or to taste)
No ice
Coupette
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake, and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish and serve.
Approx 1.8 Std Drinks
When it comes to preparation for your summer menus, it might be worth skipping the Margarita altogether. Chances are people who want Margs will ask for them, and this gives you a chance to add some alternative tequila-based cocktails to your list. With that in mind, we have four non-Margy Tequila recipes for you to try.
Pan Pine Tommy’s
60 ml Pandan infused Don Julio/ Casamigos Blanco*
30 ml Pineapple Juice
20 ml Lime juice
15 ml Agave syrup
Pineapple Slice
Rocks Glass
Cubed Ice
Add all of the ingredients to a Boston shaker, shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass filled with cubed ice. Garnish and serve.
Approx 1.8 Std Drinks
*Pandan infused Tequila
700 ml Don Julio Blanco
5 Pandan leaves
1. Finely chop the pandan leaves (Look for these in your local Asian supermarket)
2. Combine with the tequila in an airtight container and leave to infuse overnight
3. Strain the infused tequila back into the bottle
Dove Tail
45 ml Don Julio/ Casamigos Blanco
15 ml Maraschino
30 ml Grapefruit Juice
15 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
2 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters
Add all the ingredients to a Boston shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coup glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Approx 1.7 Std Drinks
Toreador
45 ml Don Julio/ Casamigos Reposado
20 ml Apricot Brandy
20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
Add the ingredients to a Boston shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled coup glass. No Garnish.
Approx 1.8 Std Drinks
Sandia Paloma
45 ml Don Julio/ Casamigos Reposado Tequila
30 ml Watermelon Juice
20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
10 ml Agave Syrup
30 ml Pink Grapefruit Soda
Build ingredients into a highball. Fill the glass with ice and stir gently. Garnish with a Grapefruit Slice
Approx 1.4 Std Drinks
Key Takeaways
· Margaritas are popular but get creative this summer and offer your guests some other options
· Tequila works will straight up, rocks or highball-style cocktails
· Tequila’s green, vegetal, and agave characteristics work well as a vehicle for infusions so experiment with flavours
· Tequila Blanco, like Don Julio and Casamigo’s, provides a clean pure expression of the Agave, Tequila Reposado adds a level of complexity from the oak whilst softening the Agave notes. Both work well in cocktails!
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