Booze Clues: 5 Cinco de Mayo Drinks that Aren't Margaritas

Because You Had Margaritas Last Week

FACT: Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico's Independence Day (that's September 16th). It is also NOT National Margarita Day (though it may seem like it). Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the battle of Puebla in 1862. Also, we Americans have made a mockery of the day in various ways (as we do with most holidays, especially if we can use them as an excuse to get hammered... St. Paddy's day, here's to lookin' at you.). This HuffPo video actually explains that many of the ways we celebrate are actually a bit offensive. Yikes! 

Now that we all feel a little guilty, let's sip a few of those woes away. You do know the margarita isn't the only Mexican-inspired cocktail out there, right? Consider the paloma, michelada, or even one of your favorite cocktails with tequila replacing the usual spirit. We've rounded up a few cocktail ideas to get your ideas flowing.  

Herradura Paloma (An Easy Switch if you REALLY love margaritas)

 

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz Tequila Herradura Silver

5 oz grapefruit juice (or Spiked Seltzer Indian River Grapefruit)

1 oz Lemon juice and salt

METHOD:

In a big ball glass put the ice and Tequila Herradura. Add salt, lemon juice and grapefruit juice (or Siked Seltzer).

Mexican Martini -Created by Garrett Flanagan for El Original (If you're into dirty martinis)

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 oz. Lime Juice

1.5 oz. Simple Syrup

3 oz. Tequila

0.5 oz. Olive Juice

METHOD:

Shake with ice, pour into martini glass, garnish with olives and enjoy!

SX Honey Bee -Featured on the menu of Bodega Negra in NYC

INGREDIENTS:

2oz SXchachacha

.25oz Mezcal

Fresh Lemon Juice

Honey

Lavender Bitters

METHOD:

Blend SXchachacha, mezcal, lemon and honey over ice. Shake. Pour into large rocks glass. Add a dash of lavender bitters.

Altos Anejo Manhattan -Created by Charles Joly

INGREDIENTS:

2 parts Altos Añejo

1 part Carpano Antica® vermouth

2 dashes of bitters

METHOD:
Blend ingredients and stir over ice. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with orange peel and serve straight up.

Succotash’s Gochujang Michelada

INGREDIENTS:
6 oz Dominion Candi (Belgian style tripel) or beer of your choice
1.5 oz Gochujang michelada mix (see below)

METHOD:
Use a lime wedge to moisten the rim of a glass halfway around. Place a mixture of equal parts Korean chili flakes and Kosher salt on the half moistened rim. Fill the glass with ice. Add the michelada mix. Top with the beer, and stir 3-4 times to evenly distribute all ingredients. Garnish with a straw and a lime wheel.

Gochujang Michelada Mix Ingredients (yields 7 micheladas):
2 oz Chung Jung One’s Gochujang Korean Chili Sauce
1.5 oz Crystal Hot Sauce
5 oz Fresh lime juice
1.25 oz Fresh orange juice
0.5 oz Worcestershire sauce
0.5 oz Old Forester Bourbon
0.25 oz Honey
Preparation:
Add all of the ingredients into a pint-sized container. Mix thoroughly. Store in the cooler when not in use. Shelf life: two days.

* Mango Habanero Margarita -Available at Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar in NYC (A bonus because some people just love margaritas)

INGREDIENTS:

1 ¾ parts Milagro Silver tequila

¾ parts Orange Curacao

1 part mango puree – Perfect Puree

1 part scratch sour mix

2 slices fresh habanero

4 drops Bitterman's Hellfire Habanero Shrub - available at Tommy Bahama

METHOD:

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice and shake with a Boston shaker to blend. Pour into salt rimmed double rocks glass and top with 2 slices of habanero.

Will you be trying any of these for Cinco de Mayo? Do you have your own special cocktail for the holiday? Still totally stuck on margaritas? (We won't judge.) Let us know in the comments.

Booze Clues: 5 Cinco de Mayo Sippers

Party! Fiesta! Forever! 

It's Cinco de Mayo, which has basically become "Cinco de Drinko" in the US. (FYI: Cinco de Mayo does NOT commemorate Mexico's Independence. Instead, it celebrates the Mexican army's unlikely 1862 defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla.) While some will enjoy drinks at their favorite bars, others will keep things a little more lowkey and toast at home.  If you're among the latter group, here are some drinks you might want to try (don't worry. They're not all margaritas):

Riazul Plata “Nuevo Manhattan” – created by Leo Robitschek

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ oz Riazul Plata Tequila

½ oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth

½ oz Punt e Mes

½ oz Combier Orange Liqueur

½ oz Nonino Amaro

3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

METHOD:

Stir and Strain into a coupe

Victory- Available at Toca Madera, Hollywood:

INGREDIENTS:

Throw 10-12 leaves of fresh mint in highball

.75oz lime juice 

.25 simple syrup

.5 oz Ancho Reyes Liqueur

1.5 oz Herradura Silver Tequila

METHOD:

Build ingredients in tin. Shake and strain into highball. Top off with ice. Add four dashes of the chile arbol infused Peychaud bitters. Garnish with mint sprig. 

Petal Pistol from Lock & Key Social Drinkery (Named the best margarita in LA)

INGREDIENTS:

1oz Blanco tequila

.5oz hibiscus infused apple jack

1oz Cointreau

.75 lime

.25 simple syrup

1 dash Aztec chocolate bitters

METHOD:

Salt the rim of a rocks glass. Build ingredients over Tajun Ice.

For those counting calories: 

Parrot Bay Margarita with Coconut Water

Refrigerate can of Parrot Bay Margarita. Serve over ice. (150 calories)

2 Skinny Drunks Classic Margarita

INGREDIENTS:

2 Ounces 2 Skinny Drunks Premium Organic Margarita Mix (45 calories) buy HERE

1 Ounce Premium Tequila

METHOD:

Shake ingredients with ice. Pour over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime. 

Booze Clues: 4 Father’s Day Drinks to Share With Dad

 

Remember the first time you sat and watched the game with your dad (doesn’t matter which sport)? He probably patiently explained  the rules and each player’s role. Chances are he hoped you’d grow to love sports, but it’s more likely he just enjoyed the quality time. This Father’s Day, whether there’s a game on or not, sit and have good ole daddy/ daughter time over a good drink. Whether you and your padre share a love for tequila, bourbon or another “not-too-girly” spirit, here are a few drinks you can try together.

 

Wild Turkey Bardstown King

Recipe

1 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon 101
3/4 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon 81 
3/4 oz King's Ginger
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Xocolatl Mole Bitters

Stir all ingredients, strain and serve in a coup and garnish with an orange twist.

-Photo & recipe courtesy of Wild Turkey (concoction by mixologists at Rye House in NY).

Herradura Paloma

 

Recipe:

2 oz Tequila Herradura Silver

5 oz grapefruit soda (or juice)

1 oz Lemon juice and salt

In a big ball glass put the ice and Tequila Herradura. Add salt, lemon juice and grapefruit soda (or juice).

-Photo & recipe courtesy of Herradura

 

Ole Smoky Moonshine Original

Sip a bit on the rocks.

-Photo courtesy of Ole Smoky Moonshine

 

Crown Royal XR (LaSalle)

Enjoy Crown Royal’s newest Extra Rare product neat (no ice or mixers) or with a single ice cube to really open up the flavor (a splash of water also works).

-Photo by StyleScrybe

*No matter which cocktail you and dad share, make sure you do it responsibly. Otherwise, you may end up sharing secrets that are better kept (ahem… that one time in college when ____).

 

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Wild Wednesday- National Margarita Day: ZiGiNY Spark Booties

 

Salud!

 

It’s a short week for most of us, thanks to President’s Day, but it’s been tough playing catch up, hasn’t it? Never the type to crack under pressure, you’re tackling tasks and looking great while doing it. Dole out an extra dose of fierce today. Wear a pair of leopard print shoes in a red hot hue, like these Spark Booties by ZiGiNY (available for $379.95 on endless.com). Their double 1.5 inch platform with a jeweled insert and 5 inch mirrored wedge heel might raise an eyebrow at the office, and red leopard print pony hair is often more appropriate for the bar than the board room. Still, you’ve got a knack for wearing what you want where you want. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention, though, that the double platform trend is on its last leg, so get it in while you can.

How funny is it that National Margarita Day is also the first day of Lent this year? If you didn’t give up alcohol and hanging out, when you head to happy hour this evening, wash your woes away with a Herradura French Margarita. Made with Herradura Blanco, Chambord, Triple Sec and Sweet & Sour Mix, it’s a blackberry flavored spin on the classic margarita. Thanks to the Chambord, the flavor has a little less kick than other margaritas, but there’s still just as much alcohol. That said, don’t go too heavy on these. You already had off Monday. The boss might not be fond of you taking off Thursday for a “stomach flu thingie”.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

· 1 ½ oz Herradura Blanco

· ½ oz Chambord

· ¼ oz Triple Sec

· 3 oz Sweet and Sour Mix

Garnish: Lime wedge

Preparation:

1) Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed, ice-filled martini or margarita glass.

2) Garnish with a lime wedge.

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**As an Amazon affiliate I get paid if you buy the shoes pictured above.

Booze Clues: 4 Golden Globes- Inspired Cocktails to Try

 

A Toast to the Best

The Hollywood Foreign Press is celebrating the best of the best (at least in their opinion) on the big and small screen at the Golden Globes tonight. I know, you’re more concerned with who wins on the red carpet, and I’m totally consumed with the shoes. Still I think we can all agree that a good drink goes well with the festivities. Here are a couple of Golden Globes inspired cocktails you may want to sip while crossing your fingers for your favorite stars.

 

The Velvet Rope

Ingredients:

· 2 oz Herradura Reposado

· ¾ oz Fresh squeezed lemon Juice

· ½ oz Simple syrup

· ½ oz egg white

· ½ oz Red Wine – Zinfandel works best here

Place Herradura Reposado, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white into an empty shaker. Close shaker and shake with no ice, this technique is known as dry shaking and it emulsifies the egg leaving the drink light and fluffy. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled coupe/cocktail glass. Float the red wine over the foam.

 

Take Me Out To The Moneyball-game

1 oz. Frangelico

2 oz. Wild Turkey 101

1 oz. Amaretto

.25 oz. squeezed lemon juice

1 pinch salt

4 oz. soda water

Handful of Cracker Jack, finely crushed

Rub half a lemon around the rim of a glass and place into crushed Cracker Jack to coat the rim. Combine Wild Turkey, Frangelico, Amaretto, lemon juice and salt in a shaker. Mix and strain into a glass with rocks and top with soda water.

 

Musical Mule

1.5 oz. Russian Standard Vodka

1 lime wedge

5 oz. Regatta ginger beer

Build cocktail over ice in a Russian Standard Copper Mug Add 1.5 oz of Russian Standard Vodka. Squeeze a wedge of lime
Top with 5 oz of Regatta ginger beer

 

Bridesmaid Margarita

2 oz. CAMUS VS Elegance
1 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix
1 oz. Grand Marnier

Combine all in a shaker with ice; strain into a small rocks glass with salted rim. Garnish with a lime wedge

 

 

*all photos courtesy of their respective brands

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Booze Clues: 5 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Compliment your Turkey

 

Cheers to Being Thankful

Whether you’re traveling to see your family or hosting the big dinner at your house, you’ll probably be washing down your dinner with a cocktail or two. Here’s a handy little guide that’s sure to have the perfect drink for you.

Herradura Thanksgiving Margarita (tart, tangy)

 

1.5 oz. Herradura Reposado Tequila

2 oz. Cranberry Juice

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

.5 oz. Honey Syrup

 

 

Add all ingredients into shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of cranberries (fresh or dried)

*By Mark Drew

 

Russian Standard Thanksgiving in Russia (somewhat sweet, but nutty)

 

1 ½ oz. Russian Standard Vodka

¾ oz. Pumpkin puree

½ oz. Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur

½ oz. Lime juice

¼ oz. Agave nectar

 

 

Rim glass with graham cracker crust or top with a seasonal fruit. Shake and double strain into cocktail glass and garnish with nutmeg.

*by Duane Fernandez, Jr. of Entwine Bar in New York

 

Belvedere Smoky Martini (strong and smooth)

 

2 oz Belvedere Vodka

Dash liquorice bitters

Stir Belvedere over ice and strain into a smoked dust* coated glass. Drop a dash of the bitters into glass and serve.

To make smoked dust:
Gently toast a piece of white bread with a blow torch. Once the bread starts to go dark brown (not burnt), crumble the bread and pound with a pestle and mortar.

*By Claire Smith

 

Tequila Avion Harvest Moon (sweet, almost creamy)

 

1 ½ parts Tequila Avión Aňejo

1 part Apple Flavored Liquor

¼ part Pear Juice

Splash of Egg White

Dash of Fresh Lemon

Pinch of Ground Cinnamon

In a shaker add all ingredients over ice then shake and strain. Harvest Moon can be served either straight up or on the rocks and garnish with a thinly sliced pear.

 

Toasty Toddy (strong, sweet)

 

1.5oz Dewar’s White Label

1oz Disaronno

1 Bar spoon of honey

.75oz Lemon Juice

3-4oz Hot Water

1 Cinnamon Stick Cracked

 

In a mixing glass add one cracked cinnamon stick, lemon juice, bar spoon of honey, Disaronno, Dewar’s White Label and 2 oz of Hot Water. Stir contents until honey has properly dissolved. Pour contents into toddy glass or wine goblet. Add 1or 2 more ounces of hot water, and garnish with a twist of lemon oil on top

*by Willy Shine of 1534 in New York

 

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Booze Clues: What to drink on Saint Patrick’s Day

 

Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Green beer will flow freely today and so will the whisky, but if neither is your drink of choice, Here are a few other options to wet your whistle whether you’re a lightweight or a boozehound.

Exclusiv St. Pat’s-tini

2 oz Exclusiv Vodka                       1/2 oz Creme de Cocoa
1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream                  1/2 oz green Creme de Menthe

Shake first three ingredients pour into a chilled martini glass and then sink Green Creme de Menthe.

Garnish with a mint leaf and chocolate shavings.

Created by Exclusiv’s in-house mixologist, Daniel Seelbinder.

 

Herradura Paddy’s Cocktail

2 oz Herradura Silver                        1/2 oz Lemon juice                           1/2 oz Simple syrup                           2 inches of cucumber diced finely                                                A large pinch of cilantro

 

Make sure you have chilled Coupe or Martini glasses ready. Dice the cucumber and add to a boston shaker, then crush with a muddler. Add a large pinch of cilantro. Add the Herradura Silver, lemon juice and simple syrup. Fill with ice and shake hard. Strain into the chilled coupe/ martini glass. Garnish with a disc of cucumber and a cilantro leaf.

Xante Different Shade of Green

1 ½ oz of Xante                                   1 oz gin                                              ¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice                                                     ½ oz simple syrup                      Approx. 2 chunks of cucumber            Fill with ginger ale

Muddle cucumber, add all ingredients and shake with ice.  Strain into a highball glass and top with ginger ale. Garnish: long strips of cucumber.

 

Spicy Irishman

1 oz Russian Standard Vodka                                1.5 oz Lucid Absinthe                                             ¼ oz Siracha Hot Sauce                                  Topped with Killian’s Irish Red Beer

 

 

 

 

 

AGWA Bolivian Kiss

1 Shot of Agwa de Bolivia Coca Leaf Liqueur                                                1 lime wedge

Bite the lime, then drink the shot. You’ll feel a quick buzz.

 

 

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!

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