As we prepare to say goodbye to summer it’s time to celebrate with delicious cocktails. The origins of tequila date back to the 16th century, originating in the magical town of Tequila, in Jalisco, Mexico.  It’s here where a large number of factories producing the spirit are located. 

In Mexico there are about 159 species of agave, but tequila can only be produced from the blue agave or Tequilana weber and its elaboration requires at least 10 years of work. 

While it is very common that around the world most people enjoy tequila with salt and lemon, there are several ways to enjoy it in different recipes. Here Hilton’s expert bartenders share five cocktail recipes where tequila is the main star.

“Mexican Martini”.
Hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton Austin Downtown South Congress 

Ingredients: 

2 oz Ambhar Tequila Plata

1 oz Grand Marnier

4 oz of Lemon Concentrate

1 oz of Olive Brine

Step by step:

Combine all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.

Strain into a chilled stainless steel goblet. 

Garnish with a cocktail stick with olives and a lime wedge.

Serve in a large cocktail glass, rimmed with salt and a large cube of infused lime*.

*Freeze the large ice cube with lime zest before creating the cocktail.  

“Bazooka Rita”
Hotel: Hilton Austin

Ingredients:

1.75 oz Corralejo Reposado tequila.

0.5 oz Agave Nectar

1 oz of Lime

0.25 oz triple sec Cointreau

1 oz of Smoked Pineapple Cordial

0.5 oz Tamarind Syrup

1 pineapple slice

Smoked lime salt for rim

1 bunch fresh mint

Step by step:

Prepare a Collins glass with smoked chili lime salt. 

Combine the reposado Corralejo, agave nectar, lime, Cointreau, smoked pineapple cordial and tamarind syrup in a mixing glass filled with ice. 

Shake the contents in the mixing glass and then strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice. 

Garnish with a pineapple chunk and fresh mint.

“Beet Me”
Hotel: Canopy by Hilton Sao Paulo Jardins

Ingredients:

2 oz white Tequila

1 oz of lime juice

0.5 oz beet syrup

2 dashes of orange bitters

Dehydrated orange slices, for garnish

0.25 oz of red fruit Cordial. How to prepare the Cordial:1.5 oz frozen red berry pulp

1.5 oz of refined sugar

1.5 oz Ketel One Vodka

Blend all ingredients in a blender until homogenized. Filter.

Step by step:

Add all liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake and strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.

Garnish with dehydrated orange slices. 

“Margarita al Pastor”.
Hotel: Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort.

Ingredients:

1 oz white Tequila

0.5 oz Controy liqueur

0.5 oz Ancho Reyes liqueur

0.5 oz lime juice

15 crushed cilantro leaves

½ piece of crushed guajillo chile bell pepper

0.10 g Tajín rim seasoning

0.5 oz natural syrup or syrup

1 piece of pineapple

Salt of worm and chapulin

Step by step:

Fill an Old Fashioned glass to the top with ice. 

Mix the white tequila, Controy and Ancho Reyes for a few seconds.

Add the lime juice, cilantro leaves and guajillo chile and muddle again.

Add the Tajín and the natural syrup, then add the worm salt and the chapulín.

Stir everything one last time and add a piece of pineapple for garnish.

“A lo mero Macho” (A lo mero Macho)
Hotel: Hilton Bogota Corferias

Ingredients: 

 1 oz of Tequila Añejo Don Julio

1 oz of Mezcal Alipus 

3/4 oz of lime juice

1/2 oz Jalapeño Syrup 

1 oz of red fruits

Step by step:

Mix the Tequila, Mezcal, lime juice, red fruit syrup and jalapeño in a cocktail shaker. 

Add ice to the shaker. 

Shake the mixture for 15 seconds. 

Double strain into a lowball glass. 

Crush some ice and add on top of the cocktail to garnish.

Finish garnish with a twist of dried pineapple and lime.