Tequila!
Cinco de Mayo is coming up. A day that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. And yet somehow, the day has become (like most holidays) a day of drinking. Of course, if you want to consider this opening day to the summer's alfresco festivities, then we're onboard. Here are three classic tequila cocktails—lately we've been mixing ours with Avión Silver, a small batch blanco distilled in Jalisco, Mexico.
Margarita
A simplified, pared down version free of triple-sec or bottled mixes.
2 oz silver tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz agave syrup
Lime wedges and salt
Salt the rim of your glass. Combine ingredients in an ice-filled shaker and shake well. Strain over ice and finish with a lime wedge.
The Paloma
A fizzy and thirst-quenching cocktail ideal for those warm, sticky days.
1 ½ oz tequila
1 half of a lime
Grapefruit soda
Fill your glass three-quarters full with ice, squeeze most of the juice from the lime half and drop it in. Add tequila and then top off with the grapefruit soda.
Michelada
This "prepared beer" was allegedly invented by a Mexican general.
8 oz Mexican beer
1 oz tequila
Salt and pepper
Fill a glass with ice and add the sauces to taste. Add salt and pepper and pour in the beer. Float tequila on top.
FYI
The song, "Tequila," was released in 1958 by The Champs. It was their only #1 hit.
