10 Creative Cocktails To Mix Up For National Tequila Day

  • By: Ashley Joy Parker

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, Floor…

Contrary to popular belief, National Tequila Day is NOT observed on Cinco de Mayo. It’s actually July 24, giving you the perfect excuse to bust out the bottle and shake up something extra fun this summer

Tequila is derived from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila and in the Jaliscan Highlands of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco. The distilled spirit dates back to 1600s after King Philip II of Spain banned the planting of new vineyards in Mexico and other Spanish colonies due to the decline of wine trade with Spain. A Spanish aristocrat named Don Pedro Sánchez de Tagle y Pérez Bustamante, 2nd Marquis of Altamira, grabbed the opportunity of the neglected blue agave plants, built his first tequila factory and amassed a great fortune. Today, he is known as the “Father of Tequila” and his innovative spirit remains one of the most popular alcohols in the world. Now that you’ve had your history listen, it’s time to drink!

This National Tequila Day, skip your basic marg and try mixing up one of these creative tequila-based cocktails below.

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Tomotillo Bloody Mary

Brunch just got a whole lot spicer. Wake up and start National Tequila Day with this mean green play on a traditional Bloody Mary, made with 1800 Cucumber & Jalapeño Tequila.

  • 1.5 oz 1800 Cucumber & Jalapeño
  • 1 oz Tomatillo / Green Tomato Juice (2 parts green tomato: 1 part tomatillo)
  • 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
  • 0.5 oz Cucumber Juice
  • 2 dashes Jalapeño Bitters
  • Garnish: Cucumber Spears, Jalapeño Slices, Lemon Wedge, Tajin Rim

Method: In a mixing tin, combine 1800 Cucumber & Jalapeño Tequila, fresh lemon juice, fresh cucumber juice, green tomato/tomatillo blend* and jalapeño bitters. Throw or roll the cocktail back and forth to add air, do not add ice to the tin. Strain over fresh ice into tajin rimmed Collins glass. Garnish with a skewered lemon wedge, jalapeño slice and cucumber spear.

*Green Tomato/Tomatillo blend: on a grill top, cook tomatoes and tomatillos until a medium char. Put into a blender with 1 clove of garlic, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, horseradish, 1 squeezed lemon and cilantro leaves. Add water slowly while blending to help reach your desired consistency. The blend should be smooth and silky. Bottle and refrigerate after use.**flavor

The Salty Dog

A play on the traditional Paloma, this puppy is an unexpected flavor rush thanks to the use of Pink House Alchemy Herbalicious Syrup, which  boasts ingredients of rosemary, mint, lavender and thyme.

  • 2 oz Casamigos Blanco
  • 1 oz Pink House Alchemy Herbalicious Syrup
  • 3 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
  • Topo Chico
  • Fresh Crack of Salt

Method: Combine syrup and grapefruit juice in a glass with ice (use 2 oz syrup for a sweeter, more soda-like drink). Top with Topo Chico and a big crack of salt. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig.

El Sol

Let El Sol transport you to a sunny paradise. Made with Cantera Negra Silver Tequila, (which name means “Black Quarry,” inspired by the rich volcanic soil from where the brand’s agaves grow), this drink has everything. A bit of sweetness, a bit of spiciness, and delicious fruit notes.

  • 1.5 oz Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
  • 0.75 oz Passion Fruit Liqueur
  • 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 0.25 oz Ancho Chile Liqueur
  • 0.25 oz Agave Syrup

Method: Rim a chilled coupe glass with Tajín. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Double strain into prepped glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Yellow Brick Road


Created by the bar stars at Boulton & Watt in New York City, the Yellow Brick Road is a funky spin on ranch water and a guaranteed favorite for cocktail connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike. This cocktail is a perfectly balanced tequila highball with light, smokey and tropical flavors that celebrate the beauty of tequila. Named after the “Wizard of Oz,” the Yellow Brick road has balance from many characters.

  • 1 oz Reposado Tequila
  • 0.5 oz Mezcal
  • 0.5 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
  • 0.5 oz St Germain
  • 0.25 oz Giffard Caribbean Pineapple
  • 0.25 oz Suze
  • 0.75 oz Lemon juice (clarified)
  • 2.75 oz Soda
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Rosa Blasberry Margarita

A very berry variation of a margarita, this sweet sipper will certainly help you cool down during L.A.’s July heat wave.

Method: Muddle berries in a shaker with lime Juice. Fill with ice, add tequila and agave. Shake vigorously and pour everything into a glass. Top with soda water and garnish with berries.

Mexican Spritz

A south of the border twist on an Aperol spritz, this vibrant cocktail, made with Milagro Silver Tequila , is the ultimate happy hour mood booster.

  • 1 ½ parts Milagro Silver Tequila
  • 2 parts Aperol
  • ½ part Grapefruit Juice
  • 3 parts Prosecco

Method: Pour Milagro, Aperol and grapefruit juice over ice in a wine glass. Top with prosecco, garnish with grapefruit slice, and enjoy the brighter side of tequila with Milagro’s 100% blue agave tequila.

Rigor Mortis

On the menu at The Richardson in Brooklyn, New York, the Rigor Mortis is a unique tequila and mezcal old fashioned. It’s a stiff drink sure to leave tequila connoisseurs thrilled with the perfect balance of orange bitters and agave syrup to bring out the natural flavors of the liquor.

Method: Stir ingredients over ice; strain over a big rock in a double rocks glass.

Spicy Ranch Water

A fresh fusion of fiery Ghost Tequila, zesty lime and soda water, this cocktail gets straight to the point. Enjoy the gusts of jalapeño heat, a splash of citrus and a cool cascade of sparkling water to celebrate this National Tequila Day.

  • 1.5 oz Ghost Tequila
  • ½ Lime, Cut Into 3 Wedges
  • Lime Soda Water
  • Garnish: Tajín Rim, Lime Wedge

Method: Measure and pour Ghost tequila in a glass filled with ice. Squeeze two fresh lime wedges and drop in the glass. Top with lime soda water. Tajín Salt Rim glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

Casa Espresso Martini

A pick me up with a punch, Casamigos‘ Casa Espresso Martini will jolt you to good time, no matter what time you knock it back.

  • 1.5 oz. Casamigos Reposado Tequila
  • 0.75 oz. Fresh Brewed Espresso
  • 0.75 oz. Licor 43
  • 0.5 oz. Coffee Liqueur by Mr. Black
  • 0.5 oz. Egg White or Aquafaba*
  • Optional: 4 Dashes Chocolate Bitters
  • Garnish: 3 Coffee Beans

Method: Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker. Dry shake (no ice) for 4-6 seconds. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish.

*For Egg White – Make sure to properly store and keep refrigerated at all times. Aquafaba is an egg white substitute and vegan friendly.

Something Spicy with Tequila

From behind the bar at Miami hotspot Sweet Liberty, the Something Spicy with Tequila is both sweet and spicy and sure to be your new favorite frozen treat.

  • 1 oz. Milagro Blanco
  • 0.5 oz Ojo de Tigre Mezcal
  • 0.75 oz Lime Juice
  • 0.75 oz Agave Nectar
  • 1 oz Mango Puree
  • 5 dashes Chili Tincture

Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. Pour straight from the blender into glass and garnish with lime wheel and sprinkling of Tajin + small straw.

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