According to Hilton’s latest global trends report, tequila is trending and is one of the hottest spirits in the US – dramatically outpacing the pre-pandemic bar shelf leader, bourbon. As we celebrate National Margarita Day (February 22), we’ve compiled some margarita recipes with a twist from some of their exciting properties.

Check below for these tasty recipes:

• Carnaval, a spicy margarita with hints of watermelon from Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
• Margarita al Pastor, combining the flavors of the classic cocktail and taco al pastor complete with a chapulín, or grasshopper, from Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort
• Bazooka Rita, Austin Taco Project’s smoky pineapple and tamarind fruit twist on the classic cocktail, located at Hilton Austin
• Ginger Margarita, the perfect refresher from The Rooftop by JG at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
• Blackberry Margarita, a sweet and sour concoction served at Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (above)

• Name of Cocktail: Ginger Margarita
• Ingredients: Casamigos Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, Fresh Lime Juice and Ginger Syrup.
• Description: The ginger margarita is the perfect rooftop refresher on a sunny California day at The Rooftop by JG. The smooth chilled tequila pairs perfectly with bold hints of ginger, balanced beautifully by refreshing moments of lime and tartness.

Recipe:

• 1.5oz – Casamigos Reposado Tequila
• 1oz – Cointreau
• 1oz – Fresh lime juice
• ½oz – Ginger syrup

 Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a tall shaker with ice.
2. Shake for 30 seconds to chill.
3. Prepare a rim rocks glass with salt.
4. Pour all ingredients over ice, garnish with lime and enjoy!

Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach

• Name of Cocktail: Carnaval
• Ingredients: Silver Tequila, Orange Liqueur, Watermelon Chunks, Lime, Jalapeno, Agave, Tajin Rim
• Description: Inspired by the city of Tulum, Mexico, Carnaval is a spicy take on the classic margarita. Like Fort Lauderdale Beach, Carnaval with its blend of jalapeño peppers and cool, refreshing watermelon, reflects the year-round sunshine, ocean breezes and spicy nightlife that has come to define the destination.  – Anny Smith, Food & Beverage Manager

Recipe:

• 1.5oz – Silver Tequila
• 1oz – Orange Liqueur
• 1oz – Lime Juice
• .5 oz Agave
• 2 Slices – Jalapeño
• 4 Chunks – Watermelon
• Tajin Seasoning (Garnish)
• Watermelon Triangle Slice (Garnish)

Instructions:

1. In Boston Shaker, muddle slices of jalapeño and watermelon chunks.
2. Add all remaining ingredients.
3. Add ice and shake.
4. Rim rocks glass with Tajin seasoning.
5. Strain concoction into rimmed rocks glass.
6. Add fresh ice.
7. Garnish with watermelon triangle slice and enjoy!

Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort

• Name of Cocktail: Margarita al Pastor
• Ingredients: White Tequila, Controy Liquor, Ancho Reyes Liquor, Lemon Juice, Coriander, Chile Guajillo (dried chiles), Tajin, Natural Syrup, Pineapple, Worm Salt and Chapulín.
• Description: Just as the margarita is a symbolic cocktail in Mexico, the taco al pastor is also one of our most representative dishes, so we decided to make a fusion of both in a cocktail, highlighting how proud Mexican cuisine makes us feel. – Bartender at Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort

Recipe:

• 1oz – White Tequila
• .5oz – Controy Liquor .5oz
• .5oz – Ancho Reyes Liquor
• .5 oz – Lemon Juice
• 15 Coriander Leaves
• ½ piece – Chile Guajillo (dried chiles)
• .10g -Tajin
• .5oz – Natural Syrup
• .10g – Pineapple
• Worm salt and chapulín (grasshopper)

Instructions:

1. Fill an old fashioned glass with ice till the top.
2. Pour 1oz of white tequila, 0.5 oz of Controy Liquor and 0.5 oz of Ancho Reyes Liquor.
3. Stir everything for a few seconds.
4. Then add 0.5 oz od lemon juice, 15 leaves of crushed coriander and add ½ a piece of Chile guajillo also crushed and stir again.
5. Add 10 grams of Tajin, 0.5 oz of natural syrup.
6. Add worm salt and chapulín (grasshopper).

Stir everything for the last time and add pineapple for decoration.
Hilton Austin

• Name of Cocktail: Bazooka Rita
• Ingredients: White Tequila, Controy Liquor, Ancho Reyes Liquor, Lemon Juice, Coriander, Chile Guajillo (dried chiles), Tajin, Natural Syrup, Pineapple, Worm Salt and Chapulín.
• Description: Celebrate National Margarita Day with Austin Taco Project’s Bazooka Rita! The Bazooka Rita includes some classic margarita ingredients with a smoky pineapple and tamarind fruit twist. This cocktail is unique and colorful, just like Austin Taco Project and the city of Austin. Make this drink at home or visit Austin Taco Project, now open and located in the heart of downtown Austin at 500 E. 4^th St.

 Recipe:

• 1.75oz – Corralejo Reposado
• 0.5oz – Agave Nectar
• 1oz – Lime
• 0.25oz – Cointreau
• 1oz – Smoked Pineapple Cordial
• 0.5oz – Tamarind Syrup
• Garnish: Pineapple wedge, smoked chili lime salt rim, and a bouquet of fresh mint
• Glass: Collins

Instructions:

1. Prepare a Collins glass with rimmed Smoked Chili Lime Salt.
2. Combine Corralejo Repadado, Agave Nectar, Lime, Cointreau, Smoked Pineapple Cordial and Tamarind Syrup into a mixing glass filled with ice.
3. Shake contents in mixing glass.
4. Strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice.
5. Garnish with Pineapple Wedge and fresh Mint.

Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock

• Name of Cocktail: Blackberry Margarita
• Ingredients: Tequila (reposado preferred), Cointreau, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup and Fresh Blackberries.
• Description: The blackberry margarita is a favorite warm weather cocktail, enjoyed best with a side of sunshine. The reposado tequila pairs smoothly with the sweet and sour blackberries balanced by the sweetness of the agave.

Recipe:

• 1.5oz – Tequila (reposado preferred)
• 1oz – Cointreau
• 1oz – Fresh lime juice
• .5oz – Simple Syrup
• Fresh Blackberries (a handful)

 Instructions:

1. Add fresh blackberries to a mixing glass and muddle.
2. Mix all ingredients in a tall shaker with ice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Prepare a rim rocks glass with salt.
5. Pour all ingredients over ice, garnish with lime and enjoy! Bonus points if you get creative with the lime garnish.