National Tequila Day is Sunday, July 24th and here are fun cocktail recipes with two of Mexico’s top exports – Curamia Tequila, an all female owned and operated brand, and Teremana, the tequila by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Tequila is currently the nation’s favorite spirit with the Distilled Spirits Council reporting that its sales have increased 63 percent in the first quarter of this year.

Curamia Tequila
Here is a beautiful, exceptionally smooth tasting tequila made from all natural and 100% blue agave available in Blanco and Reposado expressions. The exceptionally smooth taste — clean, extra – soft, herbal finishes — is a result of its commitment to simplicity and sustainability as well as authenticity and craftsmanship. Its liquid extraction model is recognized by the Tequila Regulatory Council for its sustainable distillation process by utilizing water for the purest taste – and cleanest possible product.

Founded by Dafna Mizrahi – an accomplished chef originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Curamia is an homage to the terrain in her hometown and to the powerful women who have influenced her throughout her career. Created and distilled in Jalisco Mexico, Curamia evokes the taste and smell of harvested agave Piña. With the orchard fruits, fresh-cut agave and softened honey-crisp, Curamia enhances the classic margarita, and adds a unique spin to the fruit-forward Paloma. Curamia is also all female owned and operated: its founding team are all women in the business. The brand’s distillery staff is 95% local women, all working together to make Curamia.

Champagne Paloma
1.5 oz. Curamia Tequila Blanco

0.5 oz. Cointreau

1 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice

4 oz. Champagne

Tajin for rim

Rim your champagne glass with tajin and set aside. Combine everything but champagne in a shaker and shake lightly to incorporate. Strain into champagne glass and top with Champagne.

Cool as a Cucumber

• 1.5 oz. Curamia Tequila Blanco
• 0.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 0.5 oz. Agave Nectar
• Sliced Cucumber
• Pinch of Salt
• Seltzer

Glassware: Highball

Garnish: Slice of cucumber

Method: Muddle cucumber slices with salt in a shaking tin. Add tequila, lime and agave. Shake and double strain into a highball glass. Add ice and top with soda water.

Teremana Tequila
Teremana is a small-batch tequila founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. With three expressions, a blanco, reposado and an añejo, the ultra-premium tequila is made from fully mature, naturally sweet agave slow roasted in small traditional brick ovens and distilled in handmade copper pot stills in the brand’s own distillery in the highest peaks of Jalisco. Its name directly translates as ‘spirit of the earth,’ from the Latin word ‘terra,’ meaning earth, and the Polynesian word ‘mana,’ meaning spirit. Teremana is designed to be the tequila of the people.

Teremana blanco is a bartender’s favorite for classic tequila based cocktails – I’m copying some signature recipes from the brand below along with further details and image links.

Mana Spritz
2 oz Teremana Blanco

2 oz Lemonade

.25 tsp Grenadine

2 oz Soda Water

Glassware: Highball

Garnish: Lemon wheel

Method: Combine Teremana Blanco, lemonade, and soda water in a highball glass with cube ice. Top with grenadine.

The People’s Margarita
2 oz. Teremana Blanco 

.75 oz. Lime Juice

.5 oz. Agave Nectar

1 oz. Pineapple Juice (to taste)

Glassware: Rocks

Garnish: Lime wheel, pineapple leaves & sea salt

Method: Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel, pineapple leaves & sea salt (as desired).