Think of beautiful white sand beaches glittering under the Caribbean sun. Crystal blue waves roar against the shoreline as the lanky palms dance in the soft wind. You’re sitting on the deck of an old restaurant wondering what to drink in a place you’ve never been before. As you stare intently at the cocktail menu you catch the shadow of a gentleman in all white serve what appears to look like lemonade to woman smiling radiantly in white sun hat. The man in white passes you by with an empty silver drink tray. You grab his attention… “excuse me, good sir. Might I ask you what that was you served the woman in the sun hat?”
The man smiles and nods. “That was our house tequila lemonade. Quite popular around here.” And just then, he disappears in the Caribbean air and you’re now sitting in a picturesque blue background with a light and flavorful cocktail to rock your mind to ease.
Now, there are a few ways, in my mind, to do tequila and lemonade. A few variations, a few varieties, all of which are rockin’ and quite delicious. Here are my favorite:
1. Tequila Blackberry Lemonade
Find me something better than fresh blackberries and I’ll tell you nope, try again. When I think of Tequila Blackberry Lemonade I think of one word, “fresh.” The combination of fresh radiant blackberries coupled with a beautiful smooth silver tequila and tart lemonade can be enjoyed at just about any time of the year and under any circumstance. You’ll need ¼ cup fresh blackberries, 2 oz. silver tequila. 6 oz. lemonade and some extra lemons and blackberries for garnish. Start by muddling the blackberries in the bottom of your cocktail glass sand top off with crushed ice. Add your tequila and lemonade and stir for 30 seconds. Garnish with the extra fruit and have yourself a wondrous time! Cheers.
2. Lemonade Margarita
Oh boy… they didn’t. No, no, they absolutely did. Lemonade in a margarita? It’s not quite as weird as it sounds. I promise. Not only are they quite easy to make, but these margaritas are fresh, a bit more on the tart side and full of summer flavor. Whether you’re making a pitcher for yourself and friends (or just yourself) or a single cocktail, there are literally only three ingredients necessary. The recipes are as follows: for a single cocktail you’ll want 1 oz silver tequila, ½ oz triple sec, and 1 cup of fresh squeezed lemonade (fresh squeezed always gives more of that awesome tart flavor). But, if you’re making a pitcher you’ll need to up dosage of ingredients. For example, you’ll need 1 full cup of tequila, ½ cup of triple sec, and 4 to 6 cups of lemonade. A bit of a difference. To make a single cocktail, rub the rim of a glass with a lemon slice the dip the glass in either sugar or salt. Mix the tequila, triple sec and lemonade in the glass. Boom!
For a pitcher, simply combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher and add more or less lemonade for strength of cocktail preference. Do the same with your glass as you would with a single cocktail and enjoy freely! Cheers.
3. The “Lemonade Cocktail”
There’s a specific cocktail I’m beginning to recall as I sit to write this that I discovered somewhere in New York in a bar I no longer recall at a time I’m not certain ever happened. I asked the bartender for tequila and lemonade and he asked if I wanted to try something he’d come up with. He mentioned it was simple yet intricate and I agreed. Why not, I thought? If this man is on to something I can at least do him a solid by trying what he’s most likely spent hours to days coming up with. I asked him what the cocktail was called as he began to mix some of this and shake a bit of that. “The Lemonade Cocktail,” he answered. Alright, cool I thought. No problem. And what I got was so far from that. Wow. 2 oz of Hornitos silver tequila, 1 ½ oz fresh squeezed lemonade, ½ oz lime juice, 1 ½ oz ginger ale. Combine all of those ingredients into one cocktail glass and you’re sure to have the best lemonade you’ve ever had. Cheers.
4. Cilantro Tequila Lemonade
This one is a little more on the complex side. Not only is the taste something to really take in but there are few more ingredients than just tequila, lemonade and fruit. For this summer classic you’ll need 1 bunch of cilantro, a plate of sugar, ice, 2 oz of tequila, 1 ½ oz lemonade, ½ oz of unflavored or lemon flavored seltzer and some extra lemons for garnish. Take the cilantro and muddle it at the bottom of the glass and fill with crushed ice. Add your silver tequila, lemonade and seltzer and stir so the ingredients combine nicely with each other. Sit back and enjoy the earthy spice of the cilantro with a fresh tequila lemonade. Cheers.
5. Tequila Punch
This cocktail literally has the words tequila and punch in the title. I mean, is there anything better? I didn’t think so. The named speaks for itself in spades. Both fruity, sweet and tiny bit tart, Tequila punch can creep on you quick if you’re not careful. It kind of reminds me of a Singapore Sling except that Tequila Punch is much better enjoyed in the summer than the Singapore Sling. Here’s what you’ll need: 3 cups of silver tequila, 2 cups of cranberry juice, 2 cups of orange juice, 2 cups of pineapple juice, 3 cups club soda, ¼ cup orange liqueur, 12 oz fresh squeezed lemonade and if you’re feeling up to it, salt for the rim of your glass for a little extra oomph. Get at least 10 glasses for you and your guests, rim the top with salt and take all of your ingredients and combine in large pitcher or punch bowl. Stir with the biggest spoon you have and serve wisely. Cheers.