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Ask A Denver Bartender: Your Top Tequila Cocktail

Mezcal(credit: Mezcal)

The Cinco de Mayo celebration is here, so it's a great time to head out and enjoy some of your favorite Mexican traditions and dishes. If you're looking for a great place to enjoy authentic Mexican food and a really wonderful menu filled with different tequila options, be sure to check out Mezcal on East Colfax Ave. This popular restaurant is a staple of the Denver area and always offers up creative cocktails and impresses patrons with its extensive tequila menu. There are more than 100 different varieties of tequila on the menu at Mezcal. Be sure to ask the bartender to recommend something new for you. You can just enjoy a shot or two of your favorite brand, or you can try some of the different cocktails, each made with the perfect tequila to compliment the other ingredients. If you've got a party to throw, here are a few tasty tequila recipes that you can bring to impress all your friends.

Mezcal
3230 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 322-5219
www.mezcalcolorado.com

Maestro Grapefruit Cucumber Mojada

A great spin on the classic mojito, a mojada is made with tequila instead of rum. Damian Alvarado, the daytime manager at Mezcal, offers up this recipe for a very refreshing twist on the Mojada. It's made with Maestro Dobel Reposado Tequila, which is aged, double-distilled tequila made from 100% blue agave. It's one of the fewer aged tequilas that still has a distinctive clear appearance, as all the color ends up getting filtered out. This refreshing cocktail is always a popular one on the menu at Mezcal, and even makes a great non-alcoholic drink as well, "Sometimes I even mix up a virgin one of these for breakfast during the summer," offers Alvarado, "It's very refreshing."

Ingredients

  • 1 ½-ounces Maestro Dobel Reposado Tequila
  • 3 slices fresh cucumber
  • 6 fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2-ounce agave nectar
  • Freshly grapefruit juice

Directions

  1. Combine Tequila, cucumber, mint and agave in a pint glass over ice.
  2. Add fresh grapefruit juice to fill the glass.
  3. Garnish with mint and serve cold.

Related: Top Champagne Drinks From Denver Mixologists

Cinco Herradura

This popular cocktail is always a hit at any Cinco de Mayo party thanks to the bright flavors and fresh ingredients. It's best when made with Herradura Silver Tequila, though any high-end tequila would work as well. Try using freshly squeezed fruit juices, you'll notice the difference immediately. Enjoy this recipe from the Cocktail Times.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces tequila
  • 2 ounces pineapple juice
  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • Splash lemon-lime soda
  • Fresh lime

Directions

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Add tequila, soda and fruit juices.
  3. Add a splash of lime juice and stir well.
  4. Rim a tall glass with lime and sugar, then pour the drink into the glass.
  5. Garnish with lime and serve cold.

Related: Top Cocktail Bars In Denver

Salty Chihuahua

A Salty Dog is a classic cocktail made with vodka, grapefruit juice and salt. This Mexican version from Eating Well is a tasty spin on that traditional drink using tequila and an orange flavored liqueur (like Cointreau) instead of vodka. Again, using fresh grapefruit juice instead of bottled will keep your drink tasty and refreshing.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounces tequila (use a high-end clear tequila.)
  • 1/2-ounce orange-flavored liqueur
  • 3/4-cup grapefruit juice
  • 1 slice grapefruit
  • Coarse salt

Directions

  1. Wet the rim of a tall glass and then coat with salt and fill with ice.
  2. Add tequila and liqueur.
  3. Top with grapefruit juice and stir.
  4. Garnish with grapefruit slice.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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