Beyond The Margarita: 10 Tequila Cocktails To Try

^{Tequila is experiencing a renaissance, with producers crafting single-estate and vintage-dated tequilas. Credit: Copyright 2015 Oscar E. Murden Jr.}Salt, shoot, suck. Then grit your teeth and shake your head to clear out the fire burning in your throat. This tequila ritual is familiar to many college students, but if you haven't sipped the agave-based spirit since you were younger, it's time for a refresher course.The liquor is experiencing a renaissance, and producers are crafting single-estate and vintage dated tequilas. These artisanal tequilas have little in common with the processed stuff that stung your throat back in the day.By Mexican law tequila, which is made by distilling the fermented juices of the blue agave plant, must be 51 percent agave. But that means the other 49 percent can be artificial ickiness. "Called mixto, the cheap stuff contains lots of added sugar and even caramel coloring, which mass producers use in an effort to reproduce the complex flavors in aged tequila," says Ted Gibson, a bartender who heads up the new All Agave Project tequila tasting program at Rancho Valencia in California.
Not all tequila is alikeAny bottle worth drinking bears the label 100 percent agave. "Quality tequila is an unprocessed natural spirit with depth of flavor," Gibson says. The best producers focus on terroir, just like with fine wines. A particular tequila's flavor depends on the growing conditions, altitude and sunlight."Typically, an agave plant grown in the highlands (above 6,000 feet) is bigger and contains more stored sugar, and its tequila tends to have a floral essence," Gibson says. "Tequila from plants grown in the lowlands are often more vegetal and spicy."
^{Tequila is experiencing a renaissance, with producers crafting single-estate and vintage-dated tequilas. Credit: Copyright Thinkstock.com photos}Now, we could just take Gibson's word for it that tequila is a versatile spirit that you should be mixing into more than margaritas. But where's the fun in that? Find out for yourself with these 10 inventive recipes that he created. It's a lineup of cocktails that you can serve at a slew of occasions -- the perfect sip for a barbecue, a bacon-garnished beverage for brunch, a twist on an Old Fashioned that's just right for an after-dinner delicacy and more. Move over, margarita -- the tequila game just got a whole lot more interesting. Get ready for 10 surprising new ways to enjoy this spirit. Salud!
Gallagher's SmashWhen we think of fruit and tequila, lemons and limes come to mind. But there are many other varieties that pair perfectly with the spirit.Yield: one drinkIngredients2 ounces blanco tequila1 ounce lime juice1/2 ounce simple syrup5 cubes watermelon3 sage leaves
DirectionsCombine ingredients in mixing glass; muddle. Add ice, then shake. Double strain over fresh ice and garnish with a watermelon cube and a sage leaf.
Raspberry BeretGibson's Raspberry Beret is a cinch for a party. The recipe below serves one, but it's easy to turn it into a big batch. Just make the raspberry-mint lemonade in advance (purée lemonade, raspberries and mint leaves, then strain), and add the booze once it's party time.Yield: 1 drinkIngredients2 ounces blanco tequila3 ounces lemonade4 raspberries5 to 6 mint leaves
DirectionsCombine ingredients in mixing glass; gently muddle. Add ice, then shake. Double strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a raspberry and a sprig of fresh mint.
Juan-y Appleseed"Herbs go well with blanco tequila, due to the spirit's vegetal and floral flavors," Gibson says. This recipe calls for licorice-scented tarragon, but mint, thyme, sage and cilantro all complement tequila.Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila3/4 ounce St. Germain1 ounce granny smith apple juice3/4 ounce lemon juice1/2 ounce agave syrup1 sprig tarragon
DirectionsCombine ingredients in mixing glass; gently muddle. Add ice, then shake. Double strain over fresh ice and garnish with an apple slice and a sprig of tarragon.
 ^{Gibson's Raspberry Beret is a cinch for a party. The recipe below serves one, but it's easy to turn it into a big batch. Just make the raspberry-mint lemonade in advance (puree lemonade, raspberries and mint leaves, then strain), and add the booze once it's party time. Credit: Copyright 2015 Oscar E. Murden Jr.}
El JardinThe Pimm's Cup, a classic gin-based English cocktail, is Pimm's No. 1, cucumber and lemonade, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. Mix things up by swapping the gin for tequila for a clean, refreshing beverage.Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila3/4 ounce Pimm's No. 12 ounces lemonade3 dashes Bitter Truth Celery Bitters3 slices cucumber3 basil leaves
DirectionsCombine ingredients in mixing glass; gently muddle. Add ice, then shake. Double strain over fresh ice and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a basil leaf.
La Pinata"It's simple to make your own pepper-infused tequila," says Gibson, who admits that La Pinata is his favorite of the tequila creations he makes, because the cilantro and the heat are a match made in mixology heaven. Just slice one serrano in half lengthwise and drop it into a bottle of tequila. Let it sit for 24 hours, then taste.Yield: 1 drinkIngredients2 ounces serrano-infused blanco tequila1 ounce fresh pineapple juice3/4 ounce lime juice1/2 ounce agave syrup2 pineapple leaves1 lime wheel3 sprigs cilantro, leaves tornDirectionsShake ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Double strain over fresh ice and garnish with pineapple leaves, a lime wheel and cilantro.
 
^{"Herbs go well with blanco tequila, due to the spirit's vegetal and floral flavors," says Gibson. This recipe calls for licorice-scented tarragon, but mint, thyme, sage and cilantro all complement tequila. Credit: Copyright 2015 Oscar E. Murden Jr.}
La SiestaA Paloma is a beloved cocktail made with tequila and grapefruit juice. Give it a modern twist by charring the grapefruit before you juice it so it caramelizes slightly (simply halve the grapefruit and toss it onto a hot grill until you see grill marks). For a garnish, a charred grapefruit slice adds visual interest and even more smoky flavor.Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients2 ounces reposado tequila2 ounces charred grapefruit juice1/2 ounce lime juice1/2 ounce cinnamon simple syrup1 charred grapefruit segment2 cinnamon sticks
DirectionsShake ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Double strain over fresh ice and garnish with charred grapefruit segment and cinnamon sticks.
The PalominoVanilla plays well with reposado tequila, bringing out its rich barrel-aged flavor.For this recipe, it's simple to make your own vanilla bean syrup. Simply combine 1 cup each of sugar and water in a small saucepan, along with a vanilla bean (slice it down the middle and scrape the black seeds into the liquid mixture, along with the pod). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved. If you don't feel like making your own syrup, substitute Licor 43, a Spanish liquor with hints of vanilla and citrus, for the syrup and lime juice called for in the recipe.Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients2 ounces reposado tequila1 ounce lime juice1/2 ounce vanilla bean syrup1/2 ounce ginger juice1 lime wheel1 candied ginger
DirectionsShake ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a lime wheel and candied ginger.
Thyme MeThe Thyme Me is a fun alternative to a Bloody Mary, featuring classic breakfast flavors like maple syrup and bacon. Keep the garnish in place as you sip, so you get the aromatics from the bacon. Then, when you've finished your drink, it's snack time.Yield: 1 drinkIngredients2 ounces reposado tequila1 ounce lemon juice3/4 ounce maple syrup1 bacon strip3 sprigs thymeDirectionsCombine ingredients in mixing glass; gently muddle. Add ice, then shake. Double strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a strip of crispy bacon and a thyme sprig.
Loosen the ReinsThis cocktail, deep and complex, is basically an Old Fashioned made with tequila instead of bourbon. It's perfect for after dinner -- like dessert in a glass, thanks to the addition of the chocolate bitters.Yield: 1 drinkIngredients2 1/2 ounces anejo tequila1/2 ounce agave syrup3 to 4 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec chocolate bitters1 orange peelDirectionsCombine ingredients in mixing glass. Add ice, then stir. Strain over fresh ice. Express orange peel over drink and around rim.
Tiny BubblesWho knew tequila and prosecco, champagne or cava would work so well together? Balanced, light and perfect for brunch, this cocktail shows that the spirit isn't all muscle and fire.Yield: 1 drinkIngredients1 ounce blanco tequila1/2 ounce grapefruit-infused St. Germain1/2 ounce lemon juice1 lemon peel4 to 5 seedless red grapesSparkling wineDirectionsCombine ingredients (except for sparkling wine) in mixing glass; muddle. Add ice, then shake. Double strain over fresh ice, then top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon peel and grapes.Copyright Bethany Gumper via Zester Daily and Reuters Media Express