Favorite Drink Recipes for Hispanic Heritage Month
How do Gringas celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Well…considering the obvious fact that we aren’t Hispanic, we do our best to absorb as much information that is put out there during this month about the significant contributions of Hispanics in the US and also try and share that information with anyone who will listen!
But, when Don Julio shared some of their cocktail recipes that are inspired in local Mexican flavors to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month….we just couldn’t say no! But hey, we will just use this opportunity to learn and share about the culinary aspects of the Hispanic culture, right? AND Tequila is considered by some to be Mexico’s National Drink…and we love Mexico, so I decided to pull together the “Gringa” version of a classic Mexican cocktail that I’m calling “La Gringa Paloma”
#1) Hibiscus Cooler:
If you prefer light and fresh ingredients, then you’ll enjoy this cocktail made with the purest mineral water found in Mexico:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounce Tequila Don Julio 70
- 1 ounce Topo Chico Agua Mineral
- 3/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/2 ounce Agave Nectar
- 8 Dried Hibiscus Flowers
- Dainzu Aleppo Pepper, to rim glass (optional)
Preparation:
- Rim highball glass with Dainzu Aleppo Pepper.
- Combine Tequila Don Julio 70, Dainzu Agave Nectar, fresh lime juice and dried hibiscus flowers into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain into rimmed highball glass.
- Top with Topo Chico Agua Mineral.
Ideal Serving Glass: Highball Glass
Yield: 1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol
#2) Bittersweet Independence
Celebrate El Grito de la Independencia, the cry that was mythically heard when Mexico won its Independence over Spain, with this sweet and sour cocktail that embraces tamarind’s exotic flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Tequila Don Julio 70
- 1 ounce Jarrito de Tamarindo
- 1/4 ounce Agave Nectar
- 1/4ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/4 ounce Tamarindo Puree
- Dainzu Aleppo Pepper, to rim glass
Preparation:
- Rim rocks glass with Dainzue Aleppo Pepper
- Combine Tequila Don Julio 70, Dainzu Agave Nectar, fresh lime juice and Tamarindo Puree into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain into rimmed rocks glass.
- Top with Jarrito de Tamarindo.
Ideal Serving Glass: Rocks Glass
Yield: 1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol
Tequila Criolla
Spice things up a little with this tropical cocktail made with 100% Mexican ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Tequila Don Julio 70
- 1 1/2 ounces Jumex de Guava
- 1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/3 ounce Agave Nectar
- 1 Slice Jalapeño
Preparation:
- Combine Tequila Don Julio 70, Jumex de Guava, Agave Nectar, fresh lime juice and
- jalapeño into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain contents into Martini glass.
Ideal Serving Glass: Martini Glass
Yield: 1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol
#4) La Gringa Paloma
This is my version of the popular Mexican drink “La Paloma” which I enjoyed quite regularly during my days living in Mexico Lindo Y Querido. The original drink consists of: 2 ounces tequila, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and either Squirt or a Jarritos de toronja (grapefruit soda). But…as those ingredients aren’y the easiest to find in most US grocery stores, I’ve come up with my own version that you can make with mixers you will see at most gringo parties:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounce Tequila Don Julio 70
- 1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- Sprite
- Splash of cranberry juice
Preparation:
- Combine Tequila Don Julio 70, Sprite, lime juice over ice
- Splash in a bit of cranberry juice for some fun color
Ideal Serving Glass: In true gringa fashion: a mason jar and a cute straw
Yield: 1 drink
So, which drink are you going to try first? Let us know in the comment section below!
