In celebration Cinco de Mayo and warmer weather, we’re bringing you tasty cocktails from Derrick Turner, head bartender at Harding’s, and voted as one of  2015’s Best Bartenders. Turner has teamed up with 1800 Tequila to create classic cocktails with a modern tequila twist for spring. In addition to the delicious drinks, read below for some etiquette tips for the next time you saddle up at your favorite bar.

Mula de Mexico (pictured above)
2 oz. 1800 Silver
**1 tsp chipotle peppers
Pinch of cilantro
½ oz. cane sugar
¾ oz. lime
1 oz. ginger beer

Directions:
Add all ingredients except ginger beer into shaker. Shake and double strain into iced Collins glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with cilantro.
**Substitution: chipotle powder

Coconut Smash
2 oz. 1800 Coconut
3 slices papaya
¼ oz. honey
Pinch of basil
1/4 lime

Directions:
Add all ingredients to shaker. Shake and strain into highball glass. Garnish with basil sprig.

Mr. Jones
2 oz. 1800 Reposado
1 oz. lemon
¾ oz. agave
1 sweet pepper
Sprig of lemongrass
Top with soda water

Directions:
Muddle sweet pepper with lemongrass thoroughly in shaker. Add remaining ingredients, then add soda water. Double strain into rocks glass. Garnish with halved sweet pepper.

Derrick Turner’s Tips 

1) Always say hello to your bartender first, and make eye contact.
It’s never more necessary than a day like Cinco de Mayo: one of the heaviest drinking holidays and an extremely busy day for bartending. Just make eye contact and we’ll come over. No need to wave your money around.

2) Trust your bartender with the cocktails they’ve designed for the menu – we know what we’re doing.
For example, a 100% agave silver tequila like 1800 is best with just lime and agave nectar – most would ask for triple sec. Try it the way it is on the menu, the way it is showcased, before asking for alterations based on your specific taste preference.

3) Be adventurous and try some new tequila cocktails, especially on tequila-centric holidays like Cinco de Mayo. Margaritas are great, but they’ll always be there. People are scared to try Añejo and Reposado tequilas, which is a shame because bartenders are getting really good with cocktails that include them. Try asking the bartenders what they would mix with a more complex aged tequila like 1800 Reposado, along with telling them where your taste preferences lie – we’ll always make a recommendation. Mix it up (pardon the pun). Remember, this makes our job more fun too.

4) Know what you want when the bartender comes over when you look at us, that means you should be ready.
If you have a question, that’s ok. If you don’t know, know that you need help. Be confident, especially when it comes to needing help.

5) Never use salt and lime when taking a shot. Just take the shot.
Please don’t hassle us for it. If you’re taking a shot of something of great quality, especially a pure 100% agave tequila like 1800 Silver, the salt and lime will mask the delicious flavors of the tequila, and the salt actually makes the experience more bitter. Trust in the flavor profile.