Holiday tequila cocktails with a little extra holiday spirit in the glass

While Santa might want milk and cookies, others might want some holiday tequila cocktails. As tequila drinkers appreciate, the agave spirit is more than just the liquor in the margarita or a paloma. In many ways, that tequila adds a special flavor to many cocktails.

With many tequila brands on the shelf, the range of holiday tequila cocktails are equally as plentiful. From tropical and tart to sweet and comforting, there is an option for any and every occasion.

Which holiday tequila cocktails bring the merry and bright?

Very Merry Manarita

For Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the only tequila on his holiday list is Teremana. Since Dwayne-Claus is ready to shake up a cocktail for the holidays, he recommends the Very Merry Manarita.

With the cinnamon and the apple, the flavors are perfect for a crisp, winter night. While the flavor is subtle, it will add a little brightness to the holiday celebration.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Teremana Blanco
• .75 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1.5 oz. Pressed Apple Juice
• .5 oz. Agave Nectar

Method:

• Shake and strain over ice. Garnish with Ground Cinnamon & Cinnamon Stick.

Tequila Toddy

While some people think of warm, sunny days and a glass of tequila, it is equally enjoyable on a cozy, winter night. This holiday cocktail is perfect to sip after hanging those stockings with care.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz 1800 Añejo
• 2 oz apple cider
• 2 oz boiling water
• .25 oz honey
• Cinnamon sticks
• Lemon wedge

Directions:

• Add ingredients to a footed glass coffee mug and stir to combine. Garnish with two lemon wheels and two cinnamon sticks.

Red Saint

Sometimes the line between the naughty and nice list is a little blurred. With this holiday tequila cocktail from Santo Tequila, the robust flavor entice drinkers to take another sip.

But, be careful with that potent potable. Even though it is quite tasty, drinking too quickly can lead to a halo gone askew.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Santo Blanco
• ½ oz Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Redhead Rum
• ½ oz Sammy’s Beach Bar White Rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz triple sec or Cointreau
• ½ – 1 tangerine juice and skin (optional)

Method:

• Splash vanilla extract onto a plate then wet rim of a martini glass.
• Rim martini glass with cinnamon and sugar (equal parts) and a bit of nutmeg.
• Add ingredients to a shaker and shake with ice.
• Pour straight up into your rimmed martini glass. Sip and Enjoy!

Festive Fizz

Sometimes a little fizz can make the celebration more effervescent. With this cocktail from Patron, the flavors are bright, tart and a little intriguing. While this garnish has a rosemary spring, a few pomegranate seeds would be equally as enjoyable.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz PATRÓN Reposado
• .75 Simple Syrup
• .75 Lemon juice
• 1 oz Pomegranate juice
• 1 oz Cranberry juice
• 2 oz soda water
• Garnish: Rosemary spring

Method:

• Combine all ingredients except soda water in a shaker with ice. Shake to chill and combine. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and garnish with a rosemary spring.

Santa’s Helper

Sometimes Santa needs a little extra assistance from friends. And, after all those holiday travels, a little sipper can be the way to celebrate.

This cocktail from Tequila Cazadores has captures that spicy and sweet note to keep the merry going a little longer. It might not be the traditional holiday cocktail, but it is one that might start a new tradition.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz Tequila Cazadores Reposado
• 3/3 oz Agave Syrup
• ¾ oz Fresh lemon Juice
• 6 Blueberries, muddled
• Top with Ginger Beer
• Dash of Nutmeg

Method

• In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients except ginger beer. Add ice and shake vigorously. Serve in a wine glass over ice, top with ginger beer and garnish with a lemon twist.

Rosita

While many people love their spritz, those slight bitter flavors tend to wake up the palate. Without going too far to the extreme, a little touch of bolder flavors make a cocktail more enjoyable.

In this tequila cocktail, the Tequila Don Julio 1942 is highlighted by those bolder flavors. The sweet, dry, herbaceous and smooth beg the drinker to take another little sip.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Tequila Don Julio 1942
• ½ oz. Sweet Vermouth
• ½ oz. Dry Vermouth
• ¼ oz. Italian Bitter
• 1 dash Aromatic bitters

Method:

• Combine Tequila Don Julio 1942, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, Italian bitters, and aromatic bitters into a chilled rocks glass with ice and stir. Garnish with an orange twist.

Holiday Horchata

Sometimes a sweeter cocktail is a lovely dessert replacement. While horchata is often a favorite beverage to pair with a variety of foods, this adult version brings a little extra to the conversation. Instead of another holiday cookie, consider shake up this sweeter cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz el Jimador Tequila Reposado
• .5 oz Horchata Liqueur
• 4 oz Horchata
• Cinnamon Stick

Method:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker and give it a shake. Then, pour the mix into a glass with fresh ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Cheers!

Which holiday tequila cocktails are you going to enjoy? Cheer to all the holiday merrymakers.