Frequent travel to Mexico has made us tequila lovers.  Well, some of us anyway. But there’s a story behind that and we promise to tell it to you some snowy night in front of  the fire.

A lot of our couples are afraid to incorporate tequila into their signature bar because of its distinct taste (or college memories), but we promise– these recipes will make a believer and lover out of the most discriminating tastes. Understanding that there are people that fall on both sides of the spectrum– those that love the taste of tequila and those… well, not so much, will help you find a happy medium between the two.

Dirty Work

Dirty Work comes to us via one of our favorite mixologists in the game, Russell Davis.  Yes, that Russell Davis.  It’s a complex cocktail with a lot of layers and body– which is great for the connoisseur.  It includes Reposado Tequila, Lime, Pineapple Gomme syrup (fancy simple syrup), Cardamom tincture, and champagne. This mix is perfect for those warm summer weddings.

Salpicon de Mango (Mango Splash)

1.5 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango Liqueur (brand new from Patrón and it is loooovveely)
1 oz Patrón Silver Tequila
3/4 oz Lime Juice (or the juice of a medium-sized lime)
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
3/4 oz Orange Juice
Long Splash Chilled Club Soda\

Just looking at the ingredients has your mouth watering, amirite??? This beauty was created by the genius that is Esteban Ordonez and is pretty simple to achieve. Fill a large rocks glass or double old fashioned glass with ice. Combine all ingredients over the ice, adding the club soda in the end gently. Stir to mix all ingredients and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig if desired. Again, perfect for those summer weddings– especially with those featuring seafood. Ceviche, anyone?

Carpe Dia

What’s great about this drink is that it can be made in batches, which makes for quick service at your bar. Since it is also pretty to look at, it will be quite the conversation piece. Build all ingredients except ginger beer in a punch bowl over a block of ice. Top with ginger beer right before stirring interminately.

Lil Mizz Sunshine

6 oz Roca Patrón Reposado
2 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango
3 oz Orange/Chamomile Tea-Infused Sweet Vermouth (recipe below)
3 oz Lime Juice
10 White Sugar Cubes
6 oz Club Soda

Muddle sugar cubes with lime juice, Stir all ingredients (except for club soda) with ice. Strain over 1 large block of ice. Add club soda, and garnish with orange wheels and edible flowers.

Orange Chamomile infused sweet vermouth:

-5 tsp Orange Chamomile Tea Leaves
-750ml Dolin Sweet Vermouth

Infuse tea in vermouth for 2 hours. After 2 hours, strain out tea and refrigerate.

My bar crush, Rosie Ruiz of Cole’s in LA, really put her foot in this drink, as we say. It’s light, feminine and bubbly.  It’s also definitely one of those drinks that will take a bit of pre-event execution, so give yourself time, but it’s worth it.  Lil Mizz Sunshine would be happily at home at a bridal shower, bachelorette party or cocktail hour.

Lavender Paloma

2 parts Milagro Silver
1 part Fresh grapefruit juice
.5 part Lavendar & Vanilla simple syrup
.5 part Fresh lime juice
3 parts Dry Lavender soda

Blonde Juan

1.5 parts Milagro Silver
.75 parts White Peach Syrup
.75 parts Fresh Lemon Juice
2 parts Blonde Beer
1 Lemon Wheel

Combine tequila, peach syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a tall Collins glass. Top with a Blonde Ale. Garnish with a lemon wheel. I love this because this is a wonderful blend of a little Georgia for you wedding with the white peach syrup.

Cool as a Cucumber Margarita

2 parts Milagro Silver
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
3 Cucumber Slices
1 Lime wheel
1 Cucumber Stick

Garnish: course ground sea salt and black peppercorn mix

Combine all ingredients in a blender without ice. Blend and pour over fresh ice into a rocks glass prepared with a half salted rim. Garnish with a cucumber spear and lime wheel (optional).

Which of these are your favorites? Do you have a favorite tequila based drink?  Let us know in the comments!