Mexico's Independence Day: 7 Tequila Inspired Cocktails 'Para Dar El Grito'

For those of you who still think Mexico’s Independence Day is on “Cinco de Mayo,” think again! It all started when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest, uttered what is called the “Grito de Dolores” or “Cry of Dolores,” from the small town of Dolores near Guanajuato on September 16, 1810. The essence of his speech was to encourage Mexicans to free themselves and recover the stolen lands by the Spaniards and defend their rights, and we did! So now, every September 15 & 16, we celebrate our Independence as any other Mexican would…with Tequila!

Tequila Partida wants to be part of your celebration and they sent over these Mexican-inspired Tequila cocktails to honor the occasion and raise a glass to Mexico’s Independence. Salud! And, Viva México!

1) Partida Sangrita (recipe from Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tequila Partida Bartender Ambassador)

Sangrita is a traditional non-alcoholic drink meant to accompany sips of neat Tequila. A super-premium Tequila is enjoyable when sipped on its own and the spice and fruit flavors sangrita boasts make it the perfect sidekick!

INDREGIENTS:

2 oz Tabasco or Cholula Hot Sauce

1 oz Lime Juice

7 oz Orange Juice

2 oz Grapefruit Juice

1 teaspoon Salt

2 teaspoons Fresh Ground Pepper

15 oz Tomato Juice

1 Jalapeno (Cut in half with seeds)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add all the ingredients into a pitcher. Stir until the salt & pepper is dissolved. Let the mix sit for 15mins to 30mins with the Jalapeno then when the right heat level is reached then discard the jalapeno pieces. Keep Refrigerated. Enjoy Sangrita!

2) Pepino El Pyu (recipe from A Lime & A Shaker: Discovering Mexican-Inspired Cocktails - Tad Carducci, The Tippling Bros.)

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Partida Blanco

1 oz. Cucumber Puree

1 oz. Hoja Santa Syrup*

.75 oz. lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain over fresh ice in old-fashioned glass, half-rimmed with cumin salt. Spear cucumber

*Hoja Santa Syrup: 1 quart simple syrup (1:1, water:sugar), 5 tablespoons dried hoja santa leaves - Add simple syrup to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the hoja santa leaves, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, strain, and refrigerate up to 7 days.

3) Little Market (recipe from A Lime & A Shaker: Discovering Mexican-Inspired Cocktails - Tad Carducci, The Tippling Bros.)

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Partida Reposado

1.5 oz. pineapple puree

1 oz. Guajillo syrup*

1 oz. fresh lime juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker add ice and shake. Strain in to old-fashioned glass half-rimmed with Pico Piquin and garnish with cilantro leaf.

*Guajillo Syrup: 1 quart simple syrup (water:sugar), 9-10 guajillo - Add simple syrup to a saucepan and bring to a boil, break up the chiles, add to the cooking pot, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, strain, and refrigerate for up to 7 days.

4) Spicy Pineapple Smash (recipe from Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tequila Partida Bartender Ambassador)

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz Partida Reposado

.75 oz Fresh Lime juice

.75 oz Honey syrup

3 to 4 chunks of Pineapple

2 slices of Jalapeno (Add more for extra spice)

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a mixing glass muddle the pineapple and jalapeno. Add other ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

5) La Paloma (recipe from Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tequila Partida Bartender Ambassador)

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz Partida Blanco

.25 oz Lime Juice

Grapefruit Soda (Squirt or Jarritos)

Pinch of Salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Build ingredients in a highball glass. Add soda last and stir with a bar spoon.

6) 212 (recipe from Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tequila Partida Bartender Ambassador)

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz Partida Reposado

1 oz Aperol

2 oz Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice into cocktail glass.

7) Spiced Old Fashioned (recipe from Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tequila Partida Bartender Ambassador)

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz Partida Añejo

2 Bar spoons of Maple syrup

2 Slices of Fresno Chili’s

Dash Angostura Bitters

Orange Peel

INSTRUCTIONS:

In an Old-Fashioned glass muddle the fresno chili slices, bitters and maple syrup. Add ice and Partida Añejo. Stir to mix all ingredients.