Today is Cinco de Mayo, which means later tonight you'll likely be knocking back tequila shots and wearing a sombrero. That is, if you know how to celebrate.
If you're Cinco de Cuatro was celebratory enough and you're in recovery mode but still want to revel somehow, take the fiesta to the comfort of your own home. No party is complete without cocktails though, so to keep you covered, James Beard award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan of P.D.T in New York has put a modern twist on the classic margarita and shared a couple of other tequila-infused cocktail recipes with us.
See also: Ten Best Margaritas in Miami
Handcrafted tequila brand Casa Dragones, which is celebrating the launch of their first silver tequila today has partnered up with Meehan to develop a flight of signature cocktails using the new spirit - Casa Dragones Blanco.
A follow-up to the introductory and celebrated tequila Joven (introduced in 2008), Blanco, is made with 100 percent pure blue agave. Only 400 cases of Blanco are made at a time in order to preserve quality. Blanco launched in Mexico in March and will be previewed in select U.S markets. So where can you get this stuff from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt? You can order your favorite tequila-infused cocktails at Haven, Soho Beach House, Bleau Bar, Scarpetta, The Rosé Bar at the Delano, FDR.
But you might not want to shell out $10-$20 on each cocktail, in which case you can make your own by getting a bottle of Blanco ($75) at your nearest liquor store. Sunset Corners, Total Wine, and Crown Liquors all carry the small batch tequila. For a twist on the classic margarita and something that marries seamlessly with Casa Dragones Blanco, Meehan's come up with the Cointreau infused White Dragon, as well as P.D.T's alcoholic Horchata and a few others.
So remember, when life gives you tequila, make cocktails. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
White Dragon
- 1.75 oz. Tequila Casa Dragones Blanco
- .75 oz. Cointreau
- .75 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- Egg white
Shake without ice. Add ice, shake and fine strain. Twist an orange peel over the glass and discard.
My Other Half
- 2 oz. Casa Dragones Blanco
- 1 Orange
- 2 limes
- Cilantro leaves
- 1/2 oz. galliano
- 1 oz. light tonic water
Rim with sal de gusano and salt. Garnish with a slice of cantaloupe.
Horchata
- 2 oz. Casa Dragones Blanco
- 4.25 oz. Horchata
- .25 oz. Kahlua
- .25 oz. Ancho Reyes
Chill and serve over ice in a Collins Glass. Garnish with a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Primaverde
- 2 oz. Casa Dragones Blanco
- .25 oz. Lime
- .25 oz. Tomatillo
Garnish with a slice of jalapeño.
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