Make the July 4th holiday your own by adding tequila and mezcal to your cocktails. Enjoy Independence Day with a Latin touch by adding the recipes below to your fiesta.

The Red House (pictured above)
2 oz. 1800 Añejo
¼ oz. lemon
1/2 nectarine puree
½ oz. agave
¾ oz. Italian bitter liqueur

Directions: Add all ingredients to mixing glass. Stir for 10 seconds. Double strain into martini glass and garnish with grapefruit peel.

Margarita Jello Shots

2 pints large, fresh strawberries
2 limes, halved and thinly sliced, for garnish
6 oz. lime gelatin
6 parts Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
4 parts fresh-squeezed lime juice
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
6 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons sugar (or more)
½–1 part triple sec
Pinch of salt

Directions:
Cut bottoms of strawberries flat so they stand upright. Using a huller, apple corer or paring knife, carefully remove the fruit from inside the strawberry. Be careful not to make a hole in the bottom. Once emptied, use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat the strawberries dry. Make lime gelatin according to package directions. In a medium bowl, add tequila and fresh-squeezed juices. Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over the top. Heat water in a microwave until boiling, add sugar and whisk a few times. Pour hot sugar water into the tequila and add triple sec and a small pinch of salt. Whisk the mixture until gelatin dissolves (about 3 minutes). If gelatin is not dissolving, heat briefly (about 30 seconds) in the microwave, being careful not to allow mixture to boil; continue whisking until both gelatin and sugar dissolve. Pour the mixture into a 1-cup glass measuring cup and slowly pour into the center of each strawberry. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Mezcalada
1 oz. Creyente Mezcal
3/4 oz. Michelada Mix
Top with Evil Twin Geyser Gose Beer