By 
National Tequila Day, celebrated on July 24 each year, is all about highlighting one of the world’s favorite spirits for mixing up delicious cocktails. Even though it’s not an official holiday and this year it falls on a Monday, it’s always a good time for tequila. Here are five fantastic cocktails to enjoy:
**Velas Margarita**
At Grand Velas Los Cabos, all suites come stocked with margarita ingredients. Their signature Velas Margarita is a must-try. Here’s how to make it:
– 1.5 oz. Espolon Silver Tequila
– 1 oz. Grand Marnier
– 1 oz. Passion Fruit Pulp
– 3/4 oz. Coconut Cream
– 1 oz. Lime Juice
Mix all the ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake until chilled, and pour into an old-fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with orange peel and grated coconut.
**Frozen Mango Margarita**
Cool off with this refreshing drink from Elliott Clark of Apartment Bartender:
– 6 oz. Astral Tequila Reposado
– 3 oz. Orange Liqueur (Grand Marnier works great)
– 4 oz. Lime Juice
– 2 oz. Agave Nectar
– 2 sliced Mangos
– Chili Salt and Lime Slice for garnish
Blend all ingredients with ice, pour into rocks glasses rimmed with chili salt, and garnish with lime wheels.
**The Green Dragon**
This cocktail from Johnny Soumphonphakdy, Bar Manager at Wu Chow in Austin, Texas, uses Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeño tequila for a unique flavor:
– 1.5 oz. Dulce Vida Pineapple Jalapeño
– 0.5 oz. Ancho Chile Liqueur
– 1 oz. Lime Juice
– 2 oz. Lychee Drink
– Splash of Soda
– Pineapple & Jalapeño Slices
Shake the tequila, Ancho Chile Liqueur, and Lychee Drink with ice, strain into a glass with ice, top with soda, and garnish with pineapple and jalapeño slices.
**Strawberry Rose Paloma**
From Omni Hotels & Resorts, this cocktail blends cocktail hour with tea time:
– 1.5 oz. Herradura Silver Tequila
– 0.5 oz. Aperol
– 0.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
– 0.75 oz. Monin Strawberry Rose Syrup
– 2 oz. White Rose Tea, brewed
– 1 oz. Owen’s Rio Red Grapefruit
– 3 Fresh Strawberry Slices
– Strawberry Boba Pearls
– Gold Dusted Dried Rose Petal
Shake the first four ingredients with ice, strain into a highball glass over fresh ice, top with White Rose Tea and Owen’s Rio Red Grapefruit, and garnish with strawberry slices, boba pearls, and a rose petal.
**Ziggy Basara**
This beautiful cocktail from Erin Davey, Corporate Beverage Manager at Sake No Hana and The Highlight Room in New York, features:
– 1.5 oz. Mijenta Blanco Tequila
– 0.25 oz. Gray Whale Gin
– 0.25 oz. Ume Plum Liqueur
– 1 oz. Lime Juice
– 0.75 oz. Black Pepper-Infused Agave Syrup
– 1 Umeboshi, muddled
Muddle the umeboshi in a tin, add the rest of the ingredients with ice, shake, and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.