On September 16, Mexico celebrates its Aniversario de la Independencia, which marks 200 years of independence from Spain. Like many conscientious Texans, I’ll be drinking tequila and glancing ominously in the general direction of Spain.
Some fine tequilas to enjoy the holiday include Aeroplano, Avion and Maestro Dobel, but if straight tequila’s not your thing, there are plenty of cocktails to fuel your Mexican pride.
Margarita
You can’t go wrong with the traditional margarita. I adhere to the 3:2:1 ratio for the best results.
1 ½ ounces silver tequila
1 ounce Cointreau
½ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass, or strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
1 ½ oz tequila
½ oz Creme de Cassis
1 lime wedge
Ginger beer
Combine tequila and crème de cassis with ice; shake and strain into a chilled rocks glass. Top with ginger beer, squeeze the lime wedge and garnish.
1 ¼ ounces mescal or tequila
¾ ounce St. Germain
½ ounce Punt e Mes (or other sweet vermouth if you cannot find Punt e Mes)
¼ ounce fresh lemon juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
