Summer Sippers

Sweet, smoky, spicy or sour—these four tasty tequila-based cocktail recipes from local restaurants make the perfect summer sippers.

The Burd is the Word

Courtesy of George Bistro + Bar

“The Burd is the Word” was inspired by the famous “Last Word” cocktail. I’ve always been drawn to herbaceous spirits and this cocktail checks all the boxes for me. It’s bright, super herby, balanced, and is a perfect sipper for summer time.

~ Nicole Greenwell, Beverage Director

Ingredients

3/4 ounce Cimmaron Reposado tequila

3/4 ounce Génépy le Chamois liqueur

3/4 ounce Luxardo liqueur

3/4 ounce lemon juice

2 dashes dandelion burdock bitters

Method

The final preparations of this drink may take a little practice to get the dramatic smoky effect, but it's worth it!

Place rosemary sprig into the rocks glass and add approximately ½ ounce of Génépy. Set aside. In a cocktail shaker, pour tequila, Génépy, Luxardo, lemon juice and dandelion burdock bitters. Add ice and shake. In order to achieve the smoky pour, the next few steps need to happen quickly, so have your strainer and large ice cube ready.

Light the rosemary spring to smoke it and add the ice cube to the glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass over the ice cube.

Spicy Watermelon Margarita

Courtesy of Union Public House

Ingredients

2 ounces fresh pressed watermelon juice

3/4 ounces fresh lime juice

2 ounces El Tequileño tequila

1/4 ounce of Campari

Spicy Salt Rim

1 Tablespoon coarse salt

2 teaspoons Tajin seasoning

Lime wedge

Method

Run lime wedge over the rim of a rocks glass. Mix salt and Tajin on a small plate. Dip the rim of the glass in the spicy salt mixture.

Combine watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila and Campari in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over ice into the salted rocks glass.

Chamomile Paloma

Courtesy of Agapi Bistro + Garden

With a little tartness from fresh grapefruit, some sweetness from agave and flowery notes from chamomile, this sipper is as refreshing as you want your summer cocktails to be! Infusing fresh chamomile into the tequila brings an extra dimension to one of Agapi's signature cocktails.

Ingredients

2 ounces now-infused chamomile tequila

1/2 ounce agave

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

2 ounces of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

Method

Infuse your favorite tequila with dried chamomile flowers for at least 12 hours or overnight. Strain to remove the flowers then proceed (we like Campo Bravo Tequila Blanco). Shake over ice, finish with a splash of soda water and enjoy!

Mestizo

Courtesy of Jackson’s Steakhouse

Ingredients

2 ounces Corralejo Extra Anejo tequila

1/2 ounce house mesquite-smoked orange syrup

3 dashes Angostura bitters

1/4 ounce triple sec

Charred orange garnish

Method

Start with a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Add the tequila, syrup, bitters and triple sec. Stir very well to incorporate all ingredients, garnish with the charred orange and enjoy!