Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, weekends, long lunches and just to enjoy while hanging out…tequila will treat you right!

Tequila is very popular for good reason…good tequila can treat you right. 2021 was its year when it passed whiskey as the second most popular liquor. It only stands behind vodka. Celebrity tequila’s have been a huge help with George Clooney selling his Casamigos brand for $1 billion.

If you are thinking about staying in swimsuit shape, tequila is your friend – chilled and straight up is great. At 97 calories a shot, its is one of the best to drink. And it has 0g of carbs, 0g of fat per serving, and 0g of saturated fat.

RELATED: Yacht Rock Pairs Perfectly With Cocktails

So to celebrate its success, here are the best simple tequila cocktails.  And for your information, all tequila is mezcal. The term mezcal refers to spirits made from the agave plant, while tequila refers to a specific type of mezcal that can only be made from blue Weber agave in five Mexican states. Reposado tequila stays in the barrel for a duration of 2 months to a year, depending on the flavor profile a distiller is looking to achieve.

Paloma

This is a classic simple cocktail to make you happy.  The oragin is a bit murky but is generally credited to Javier Delgado Corona, owner of the oldest bar in Jalisco – La Capilla. More importantly – you will be just thankful for this drink and it its refreshing feeling.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice, plus wedges for garnish
• 2 ounces sparkling water
• ½ ounce lime juice
• ¼ ounce agave nectar or simple syrup, or to taste
• Coarse sea salt, for the rim of the glasses
• Ice

Create

Mexican Mule

The Moscow Mule is a go to for some…but what about a warmer more flavorful replacement?

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Tequila Silver or Reposado
• 1 lime wedge
• 1 wedge pineapple
• 4 oz. ginger beer

Create

1. Combine the lime wedge and pineapple (if using) in the bottom of a chilled glass  or moscow mule mug
2. Muddle the lime with the pineapple
3. Add tequila and stir
4. Add ice and top with the ginger beer

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

Bloody Maria

While it is credited to have been created as a Bloody Mary alternative, it truly appeared on the scene in the 1940s. Bartender Fernand Petiot is credited with

Ingredients

• Tequila Reposado or White
• Mexican hot sauce
• Celery salt
• Black pepper
• Tomato juice
• Lemon juice
• Worcestershire sauce
• Horseradish
• Celery salt
• Black pepper

Create

• Chill the tomato juice/mix and tequila first
• Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice
• Strain and if time, chill. Straining removes the chunks of horseradish from the drink
• Rim the glass and garnish
• Serve over ice with the garnishes of your choice.

Tequila Sunrise

Big on college campuses and creating all sorts of boozy adventures – the Tequila Sunrise is delight to the taste buds.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Tequila
• 1 oz. Orange Juice
• .5 oz. Lemon Juice
• .5 oz. Grenadine
• Garnish with a cherry

Create

• Combine tequila and juices in a shaker
• Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a glass
• Add grenadine then garnish

May you enjoy these the best simple tequila cocktails morning, noon and night!

Cars have captured the imagination since they first appeared.  

Cars have captured the imagination since the beginning. In 1885 Karl Benz developed and built the first internal-combustion engine car. The following year he received a patient and he has captured imagination ever since.  From car racing to the Army Jeep to the variations of the Batmobile, autos have been a topic of fascination.  Of course, in honor of it – men named cocktails after them as a double tribute to the toys they love. So here is a way to rev up with these Cadillac cocktails.

RELATED: Yacht Rock Pairs Perfectly With Cocktails

The Cadillac Margarita

While the margarita had been around for ages, the go go 80s meant things had to be bigger, better and flashier.  Chain restaurants began adding Cadillac margarita to their menus with substitutions including higher-end tequilas and Grand Marnier. They floored the gas petal on sales and now appear in even the swankiest cocktail lounges.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
• 1/2 ounce Naranja Licor de Naranja
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 ounce agave syrup
• 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier, to float

Create

• Rub the rim of a double Old Fashioned glass with a lime wedge, and dip a quarter of the glass in salt to coat. Set aside
• Combine all ingredients except the Grand Marnier in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 25 seconds
• Double-strain through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared glass over fresh ice
• Float Grand Marnier on top

Sidecar

The OG of car cocktails. This one was created in Paris during World War I. Who doesn’t speeding with a bit of danger? An American army captain named it after the motorcycle sidecar. Since then, it has been an alcohol companion many an evening.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces cognac
• 3/4 ounce orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• Garnish: orange twist

Create

• Coat the rim of a coupe glass with sugar, if desired, and set aside
• Add the cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled
• Strain into the prepared glass
• Garnish with an orange twist

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

The Rolls Royce

What grand automobile has been more associated with glamour, style and money but the Rolls Royce. While the developer of this cocktail is a bit unclear, it first appeared in Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book.  While not as popular as the Cadillac, it is a gin lover’s treat.

Ingredients

• 2½ oz gin
• ½ oz dry vermouth
• ½ oz sweet vermouth
• heavy teaspoon Bénédictine
• 1 dash orange bitters – optional
• lemon peel for garnish

Create

• Chill a mixing glass
• Combine ingredients in glass and fill with ice
• Stir for 18-25 seconds  
• Strain into a chilled coupe or stemmed cocktail glass. 
• Squeen the juice from the lemon peel and garnish

The Monte Carlo

While the first Gran Prix was in Le Mans, Monte Carlo gave it an international glamour. Grabbing headlines and car aficionados all gathered in the tiny principality with automobiles, beautiful women and the azure sea.  In the later 1930s, this cocktail sprang to life playing tribute to the race. This is not to confused with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• 1/2 ounce Benedictine
• 1 dash Angostura bitters

Create

• Add rye whiskey, Benedictine and bitters into a mixing glass with ice
• Stir for about 30 seconds until well-chilled.
• Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube.

It is a wonderful holiday market

Easter is a time to gather together with friends and/or family.  While some start the day in church, many others will enjoy a libation while celebrating. The holiday is behind Mardi Gras, Christmas, Black Friday and St. Patrick’s day as a drinking holiday. But why not add a little something boozy and colorful to the day’s agenda.  All of these pairs well with eggs and candy. Here are some fun and easy Easter cocktails!

RELATED: Yacht Rock Pairs Perfectly With Cocktails

The Lent Buster

Lent is a 40 day season commonly practiced by giving up something beloved (drinking, chocolate, social media) as a sign of faith and sacrifice. This cocktail was created by at the 5 Point Cafe in Seattle, Washington.  Mixologist Sean Dunlap wanted something festive, fun and smooth. Regular patron Dan Luczkiewicz said the only thing wrong with this drink it is delicious and you want another!  Cafe owner David Meinert agrees and it will be featured at the famed dive bar during the holiday.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila perhaps a blanco
• 4 oz pineapple juice
• Splash of cranberry

Create

• Add add to a highball glass
• Pour in tequila and pineapple juice
• And a splash of cranberry juice for color
• Stir and enjoy!

The Peep-a-lious

Peeps are iconic to Easter since the Just Born company premiered the colorful confection in the 1950s.  Why not combine a classic with vodka and make it even more enjoyable.  Consider reviving a childhood tradition but instead of dying eggs, you color champagne.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Vanilla Vodka
• 1 oz Blue Curacao
• Diet Sprite
• Blue Peep for garnish

Create

Colorful Mimosas

The favorite drinks of brunches, mornings and early day drinking.  Festive, fun and flavorful – mimosas. Consider reviving a childhood tradition but instead of dying eggs, you color champagne.

Ingredients

• Chilled champagne or prosecco
• Juices – consider Ruby Red Grapefruit, Mango, or Guava

Create

• Pour the chilled bubbles into a champagne flute
• Add enough juice to add color and a whisper of flavor
• Drink and enjoy

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

Hot Boozy Bunny

Easter celebrates spring, but the weather doesn’t always contribute to the fun atmosphere. Here is a simple cocktail at anytime of day.  It is fun and can bring back a sense of childlike wonder with the big marshmallow!

Ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• 1-1.5 oz. of Baileys, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Whiskey
• 1 big marshmallow

Create

• Whisk the sugar and cocoa powder together in a small saucepan
• Add the milk and whisk the mixture over medium-low to medium heat until the sugar and cocoa are dissolved and the hot chocolate is heated through
• pour into a mug
• Add shot of alcohol
• Top with the big marshmallow!

May these spring cocktails put you in a blooming good mood.