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Happy Hour: Tequila Cocktail

partysugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:00:42 -0700

In my opinion, tequila is an underrated liquor. I usually only use it to make margaritas or take shots. However, I've recently decided to experiment with the Mexican spirit in other drinks, like the cocktail seen here. This recipe was surprisingly refreshing and not too strong. With chunks of fresh pineapple and a slight fizz, it tasted like a tequila sangria. This sensational concoction is wonderful on a warm afternoon. I definitely plan on making it again, perhaps as an alternative to margs at my next fiesta. To see how I made it, read more.

Tequila Cocktail
From Bobby Flay

Ingredients

1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
10 ounces white tequila
12 ounces fresh pineapple juice
12 ounces lemon-lime soda
Crushed ice

Directions

Combine pineapple and mint in a pitcher, muddle. Add the tequila, pineapple juice, and lemon-lime soda.
Serve over crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Serves 4-6.

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Happy Hour: Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails

partysugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:00:45 -0700

Since today is National Tequila Day (cheers!), I thought I'd share my latest obsession with you. While I'm a huge fan of the classic margarita combination of tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice, it pales in comparison to the delightful pairing that is watermelon juice and tequila. I'm so crazy about this dynamic duo that I've already made three different cocktails with it. The one seen here - my current fav - is a mixture of watermelon, tequila, mint, blueberries, and lime juice. With its sweet, minty flavor, refreshing thirst-quenching quality, and beautiful blushing color, this cocktail is almost perfect. I say almost because it's far too easy to drink. A problem that's quickly solved with a generous float of tequila. To get the party, or the weekend, started, make this drink tonight

Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails

partysugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:47:35 -0700

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Come Party With Me: Movie Club Meeting - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:15:00 -0700

Although every dish on the menu for my movie club meeting features corn, I couldn't find a corn cocktail recipe. Thus, I looked for a refreshing concoction that would pair with the corn cakes and corn and zucchini pizzettas. This tequila sunrise punch is quick and simple to make for a crowd. To meld the flavors and infuse the tequila with citrus, let the mixture sit in the fridge for longer than ten minutes.

After the movie and during dinner, serve a buttery Chardonnay or light Tempranillo. Don't forget sparkling and still water, beer, and a selection of sodas. For the punch recipe, read more.

Tequila Sunrise Punch
From Ingrid Hoffmann

Ingredients

1/2 cup silver or gold tequila
33 ounces citrus-flavored club soda
2 limes, quartered
1 small unpeeled orange, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 small unpeeled grapefruit, cut into 1-inch chunks
Ice cubes

Directions

Pour the tequila and club soda into a pitcher. Add the limes, oranges, and grapefruit and set aside for 10 minutes.
Add enough ice to the pitcher so that the punch rises to the top. Serve in chilled glasses with some fruit in each glass.

Serves 4-6.

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Happy Hour: In-Sandíary

partysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:00:24 -0700

Remember a month ago when I mentioned my latest obsession was with watermelon juice and tequila? Well the compulsion continues with this cocktail! What makes this drink is the spicy salted rim. It adds a fiery punch that enhances the natural bite of tequila. Be sure to strain the watermelon juice before putting it into the cocktail shaker. This ensures that the final drink is smooth and refreshing. If you're looking for a delicious alternative to the classic lime margarita, definitely give this drink a shake before watermelon season ends. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well the vibrant pink fruit pairs with tequila. Get the recipe when you read more.

In-Sandíary
From Food & Wine Cocktails 09

Ingredients

Chili Salt
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
Cocktail
1 lime wedge
Ice
2 ounces blanco tequila
2 ounces watermelon juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

Directions

Make the chile salt: In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt, sugar and ancho chile powder.
Make the cocktail: Moisten the outer rim of a highball glass with the lime wedge and coat lightly with chile salt.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the remaining ingredients and shake well.
Fill the highball glass with ice and strain the drink into the glass.

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy Hour: Guavarita

partysugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:15:56 -0700

Meet the guavarita, the rosy-hued cousin of the classic margarita. Made with a splash of guava nectar, this cocktail is refreshing and slightly sweet. If you find margaritas too potent, give this variation a shake.

The guava juice balances the sometimes overwhelming flavor of tequila. Since the tequila was subdued, I found the salted rim unnecessary. When I made round two, I left the rim alone.

To look at the recipe, read more.

Guavarita
From Food and Wine Cocktails 2008

Ingredients

1 lemon wedge and salt
ice
2 ounces blanco tequila
1/2 ounce triple sec or Cointreau
1 ounce guava nectar
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup

Directions

If desired, moisten half of the outer rim of a martini glass with the lemon wedge and coat lightly with salt.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add all of the remaining ingredients and shake well.
Strain into prepared glass.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Happy Hour: Sueño

partysugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:00:16 -0700

Cucumber haters beware. This tart yet refreshing cocktail might make you rethink your distaste. When muddled with rosemary, lime juice, and simple syrup, the flavor of the cucumber is subdued, and what remains is the essence of the cool vegetable - well, technically a fruit, but you know what I mean.

I usually associate vodka with this sort of herbaceous, earthy concoction, but tequila makes a surprisingly sublime match for the woody herb and crunchy cuke. A tonic float adds a bubbly, carbonated finish. To think outside the bartending box, make this drink and read more.

Sueño
From Food and Wine Cocktails 2008

Ingredients

10 rosemary leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
6 thinly sliced unpeeled cucumber wheels
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
ice
2 ounces blanco tequila
1 ounce chilled tonic water

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the rosemary leaves with 3 of the cucumber wheels, the lime juice, and the simple syrup. Add ice and the tequila and shake well.
In a highball glass layer the remaining three cucumber wheels with ice. Strain the drink into the prepared highball glass, gently stir in tonic water and garnish with rosemary sprig.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Tequila!

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:15:05 -0700

You may know how to pour a strong margarita or how to cook up a tasty tequila-lime chicken. You may have even taken your turn at mixing some mean tequila cocktails, but how much do you really know about the zippy spirit that can make you so happy?

Well, since today happens to be National Tequila Day, we thought we'd test your tequila knowledge. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila . . . go!

Take the quiz

Happy Hour: Tabasco Tequila

YumSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:15:05 -0700

My favorite condiment in the entire world might just be Tabasco hot sauce (DearSugar and I both put it on everything!) - so when I heard the hot-sauce empire was developing its own tequila, I got my hands on a bottle stat.

If you're a fan of tequila and not afraid of heat, you should definitely give Tabasco Tequila ($21.99) a try. The spirit has the toasty-tart flavor of tequila with a bit of spice that's not overpowering. It would make for a great round of shots at the bar. I tried it in my Bloody Maria, and didn't have to add as much hot sauce to make it spicy. I'm most excited about using it in margaritas where fruit will marry with the tequila to make a delicious, sweet-hot cocktail! I'll be serving the spicy stuff at my next taco dinner.

The 750-ml bottles are currently being rolled out in Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Dallas, and Houston markets. Will you be on the lookout for them?

Come Party With Me: Fall Dinner - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:57:13 -0700

To salute fall's arrival, I will make a big pitcher of a signature cocktail for my fall dinner party. The cocktail, an orange tequila concoction, has the gorgeous color of an autumn sunset. Make the cocktail an hour or two before the party starts. When guests arrive all you have to do is shake over ice and strain into the prepared champagne flutes.

Get several bottles of the same wine - one white and one red - to pair with dinner. When pairing wine with roast chicken, pay attention to the chicken's seasonings - in my case it's lots of fresh herbs, so a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Barbera would suffice. A delicate and buttery Chardonnay is an excellent choice for a white. At dinner, pour guests a cool glass of water with orange slices and rosemary sprigs.

For the recipe to the orange tequila cocktail please, read more

Orange Tequila Cocktail
From Dale DeGroff & Instyle magazine
Source

2 cups tequila
2 cups chilled blood-orange juice (or orange juice)
1 cup orange flavored liqueur
1 bottle (750 ml) chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
orange twists, optional

Combine tequila, juice and liqueur in ice filled cocktail shaker.
Strain into chilled flutes; top with champagne or sparkling wine. If desired, garnish with orange peel twists.

Serves 8.

Make ahead: Combine the tequila, juice, and liqueur in a pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to use.

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Source