One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor – George Carlin

Happy National Tequila Day, y’all! That’s right, July 24 is National Tequila Day, so break out those shot glasses, blenders and/or shakers and mix up a cocktail or shooter to celebrate.

I have to admit that until recently I really didn’t know much about the various types of tequila, but luckily Brad was able to explain the differences to me and how you want to drink them.

• Blanco is the white or silver tequila and is bottled or right after it’s after distilled, or aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels. It the tequila you want to shoot due to its spiciness.
• Reposado tequila has been aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year, in oak barrels of any size. It’s what you want to use with mixers and in margaritas, etc.
• Añejo is aged a minimum of one year, but less than three years in small oak barrels. This is your sipping tequila, and usually the most expensive.

You also can purchase flavored tequila, such as Café Patron XO, which has a coffee taste.

Here are a couple of recipes I think you will enjoy – one for a refreshing melon-flavored margarita, and one for “mini-Guinness” shots.

Melon Margaritas

Sometimes margaritas can be a little too sweet for me, so I love these because they are not. The melon liqueur is not overpowering and helps to make this a refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day.

Ingredients (for one margarita)

• 2 parts of tequila (I used reposado)
• 1 part melon liqueur (I used Midori)
• 1 part orange liqueur (I used Cointreau)
• 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
• Margarita salt
• Limes for garnish
• Jalapenos slices for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Fill a shake glass with ice. Add the tequila, melon and orange liqueurs, and the lime juice. Shake well.

Take one of the limes and moisten the rim of your glass, and swirl it in the margarita salt. Fill the glass with ice, and strain the margarita into it. Garnish with a slice of lime. I like to add a few slices of jalapenos to add a little bit of heat and spice it up some.

“Mini- Guinness” Shots

The first time I had these was at my dear friend Rose’s lake house during a girl’s weekend. We all agreed that they were quite yummy! These look just like miniature glasses of Guinness and are easy to make. All you need is some Café Patron XO, Bailey’s Irish Cream and some shot glasses.

Fill the glass about three-quarters of the way with the coffee tequila. Float the Irish Cream on top (you can achieve a nice look by pouring the cream over the back of a spoon if that matters to you.) Bottoms up!

If frozen margaritas are your thing, check out my recipe for Charlie Murray Inspired Strawberry Margaritas that are yummy and easy to make.

Or, make a cheerful tequila sunrise.

Don’t feel like going to a whole lot of trouble? Slice some limes (salt is optional) and throw back a shot or two of blanco tequila. Ole!

Eat, drink and be merry!

Please drink responsibly.