One tequila, two tequila, three tequila…more! No drink is as good as one with some tequila in it, which is probably why National Tequila Day was invented. The holiday, which takes place on July 24th, gives us an excuse to throw back tequila any way we like it. Looking to do shots? You got it. Want some margaritas? No problem. Discover new cocktails? Check. Places all over the city are celebrating National Tequila Day with, you guessed it, tequila and plenty of specials and deals you won’t want to miss. Trying to save some $$$? We’ve also got plenty of tequila heavy cocktails for you to whip up at home!
If you find yourself in the Financial District, Reserve Cut will have crafted tequila cocktails, infused with market-fresh ingredients, such as the Dear Louiza (Don Julio Blanco, Asian pear, Meyer lemon, simple syrup) and Tiger’s Eye (Herradure Silver, key lime juice, red bell pepper, jalapeño, simple syrup).
Lower East Side hot spot Calexico is serving up happy customer a special Cilantro-Cucumber Margarita for $10, as well as a tequila flight, available for $20. We also have their special margarita recipe below, for you to try at home.
The Flatiron District’s 1200 Miles will be offering a Patron Silver special cocktail called Spring in the Desert and mixes together Patron with Pimm’s, cucumber, basil-infused simple syrup, lemon and a splash of soda. While you throw one (or more) back, you can munch on tasty bar bites, such as their housemade potato chip or tortilla española. Head up further in Manhattan to Midtown West, where you will find Virgil’s Real Barbecue, where you can score tequila-centric drinks like their Watermelon Margarita and the Spicy Habanero.
The Upper West Side’s Carmine’s fuses two hot culinary backgrounds into one killer margarita. Get a taste of Mexico and Italy with their Ventanni Margarita, made with Herradura Antiguo Tequila, Limoncello, Galliano and fresh lime. Also on the UWS, Amigos Mexican Bar & Restaurant serves plenty of specialty tequila cocktails for you to choose from.
Switch gears and head to the east side, where you will find three of Richard Sandoval’s restaurants. Start out at Maya on the UES, which has a selection of house-infused tequilas, in flavors like banana-vanilla, strawberry-basil and citrus-lemongrass. You can sample them on the rocks or in a margarita, or try out one of their several tequila flights. Here you can also try Sandoval’s own barrel-aged brand of Herradura Tequila. On the 24th, they will host happy hour from 3-8pm, which will include $6 margs. Next stop is Pampano in Midtown East, where you can enjoy tequila tasting flights that are organized by geographic region and served with orange slices and sal de gusano from Oaxaca. The restaurant will have happy hour on July 24th from 5-7pm featuring $6 margaritas. Take it a little further down in Midtown to Zengo La Biblioteca, where you will find personal tequila lockers and over 400 bottles of blue agave-based spirits and mzacals. La Biblioteca’s happy hour on July 24th will take place from 5-7pm and feature $5 Spanish flatbreads, $5 sushi rolls, and two for $5 tacos.
For those of you in Queens, MexiBBQ will be offering two exquisite margaritas, including the Passion Fruit Jalapeño Margarita and the Vanilla Margarita, which are sure to satisfy your tequila cravings.
With your full tequila tour of the city out of the way, make sure to whip up at least one of these tequila-based cocktails:
Cilantro-Cucumber Margarita (Courtesy of Calexico)
1 1/2 oz. Tequila
1/2 oz. Combier
4 slices cucumber
1 sprig cilantro
1/2 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz. Agave
Honey Ginger Sauza-Rita (Courtesy of Sauza Tequila)
1 part Sauza Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
1 part lemonade
1 part ginger beer
1 part water
½ teaspoon honey
Lemon slices
Combine lemonade, ginger beer, tequila, water, lemon slices and ½ teaspoon of honey in a glass filled with ice. Stir well to combine.
Hot to Beet (Courtesy of Colicchio & Sons)
¼ oz. simple syrup
¾ oz. lime juice
¾ oz. Cointreau
2 oz. chipotle infused tequila (place two chipotle peppers in a 750ml bottle of tequila for at least one day)
1 oz. fresh beet juice
Shake and strain over fresh regular ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with black salt ½ rim.
Blushing Rosemary Margarita (Courtesy of Milagro Tequila)
2 parts Milagro Silver Tequila
1 part fresh lime juice
¾ part agave nectar
4 watermelon chunks
1 rosemary sprig
2 dashes Fee Brothers Lemon Bitters
In a cocktail shaker, muddle fruit and herbs. Add remaining ingredients. Shake and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig and lemon wheel.
Spicy Sauza-Rita (Courtesy of Sauza Tequila)
1 part Sauza Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
2 parts beer
1 part frozen limeade concentrate
1 part water
A dash of hot sauce
Sugar (for garnish)
Salt (for garnish)
Red pepper (for garnish)
Chili pepper (for garnish)
In a glass, combine all ingredients. Chill and serve in glasses rimmed with sugar, salt and red pepper. Garnish with a chili. Enjoy!
Smokey Paloma (Courtesy of W New York)
1.5 oz. Milagro Reposado Tequila
½ oz. Mezcal
2 oz. pink grapefruit juice
¼ oz. agave nectar
2 oz. soda water
Ode to Isis Margarita (Courtesy of Milagro Tequila)
2 parts Milagro Añejo
1 part fresh lime juice
¾ part agave nectar
2 strawberries
2 verbena leaves
1 ½ part ginger beer
Muddle. Shake well. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime.
Beeta-Rita (Courtesy of Topping Rose House)
2 oz Avion Tequila
¾ oz lime juice
¾ oz jalapeno agave syrup
½ oz beet juice
Beet salt or kosher salt
Rub a rocks glass around the rim with a lime wedge, then rim with salt and add ice, shake tequila, lime juice, agave syrup, and beet juice then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Not enough tequila for you? Check out our cocktail round-up from last year for more tequila cocktails.
Twisted Talk: How do you plan on celebrating National Tequila Day? What cocktail will you make? Discuss below!
