The Knockturnal’s Heat Wave Cocktail Roundup

Cool down from the summer heat and celebrate National Tequila Day coming up with some cool and refreshing cocktails and spirits

Another national holiday is upon us, and this time it’s National Tequila Day which lands on 7/24!  We can’t think of a better way to cool off from this heat wave than with a delicious and ice cold tequila cocktail from some of our favorite brands.  Here is a list of some of our favorite brands and cocktails that are both new and familiar.

First up we have an exclusive offering from PATRÓN Tequila where they have recently unveiled their newest collaboration called PATRÓN en LALIQUE: Serie 3.  If you are familiar with the en LALIQUE series that PATRÓN Tequila has rolled out, you know that this is some one of the best  tequilas out there, made with such care, time, and consideration that there are only a handful of bottles out there in the world.  And PATRÓN Tequila launched this new bottle at a wonderful event last week at LAVAN 541 in NYC.  The event featured classic cocktails from PATRÓN Tequila as well as having guests try this delicious tequila.  The en LALIQUE: Serie 3 is a combination of 14 different types of tequila that have been aged in a wide variety of barrels that have been aged for many years.  The tequila has beautiful notes of French oak that transforms into a vanilla and caramel and finished with the classic agave warm chest feeling that you can expect from tequila.  If you are interested in learning more, , tequila and NFT fans will now have the opportunity to purchase one of the highly-coveted bottles through BlockBar.com, the world’s first DTC NFT marketplace for luxury wines and spirits!

Of the 299 bottles released worldwide, this weekend, 15 will be available exclusively on BlockBar.com featuring a uniquely colored golden-amber decanter stopper, making each purchase of PATRÓN en LALIQUE: Series 3 on BlockBar a true rarity. Existing BlockBar x PATRÓN NFT holders from the brand’s inaugural NFT drop, Chairman’s Reserve, will receive an exclusive benefit if they purchase the latest limited-edition expression.

To claim this rare opportunity, fans can visit BlockBar.com on National Tequila Day (7/24) this Sunday, at 6 P.M. ET to reserve this special bottle PATRÓN en LALIQUE: Serie 3 (first come, first served basis). Priced at $7,500, each NFT is available to purchase with ETH, credit card or wire transfer. Users who successfully check out will receive an NFT representing the physical bottle, which is stored with BlockBar until the bottle owner is ready to redeem.

And if you want to stick to the PATRÓN Tequila you have learned to love over the years, there are plenty of other PATRÓN Tequila products to try out this National Tequila Day which include the following:

PATRÓN Silver

The perfect white spirit made from the finest Weber Blue Agave

SRP: $59.99 (750ml)

Available on Drizly, Minibar, ReserveBar and more

PATRÓN Reposado

Aged at least two months for smooth taste with a hint of oak flavor

SRP: $69.99 (750ml)

Available on Drizly, Minibar, ReserveBar and more

PATRÓN Añejo

Oak aged for over 12 months to produce a tequila perfect for sipping

SRP: $79.99 (750ml)

Available on Drizly, Minibar, ReserveBar and more

PATRÓN Extra Añejo

A smooth, golden tequila aged in oak barrels for at least three years

SRP $89.99 (750ml)

Available on Drizly, Minibar, ReserveBar and more

Our next tequila brand that we wanted to feature is Casa Noble Tequila.  Noble is a brand of premium 100% blue agave tequila nurtured and harvested from the rich, volcanic soil outside Tequila, Jalisco. As one of the few certified organic tequilas on the market, Casa Noble is rooted in proven traditions passed down through seven generations of celebrated tequila makers including its founder and Maestro Tequilero, Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo. The product, which is always triple distilled, delivers a lush taste and smooth finish. Casa Noble’s family of award-winning tequilas includes Casa Noble Blanco, Reposado and Añejo as well as limited production of several other higher-end Casa Noble tequilas.  All three tequila brands can be found below for you to check out!

Casa Noble Blanco 

SRP: $43.99

This vibrant and unaged Blanco Tequila is the origin for each Casa Noble expression and embodies the commitment to perfect the tequila making process. Casa Noble Blanco tequila is elegant and exquisitely balanced to offer a beautiful fruit and citrus forward expression with sweet agave & soft herbal notes.  For more info check out the Casa Noble Blanco page here.

Tasting Notes:

• Crisp clean taste that celebrates the fresh flavor of Blue Weber agave

Aroma:

• Honey, buttery-sweet cooked agave with hints of citrus

Notable info:

• Made with 100% Blue Weber Agave
• Certified Organic
• Estate Grown
• Hand Harvested
• Triple distilled

Casa Noble Reposado

SRP: $49.99

Tasting Notes:

• Balanced with sweet cooked agave and toasted oak

Aroma:

• Vanilla, Lemongrass and a floral bouquet

Notable info:

• Made with 100% Blue Weber Agave
• Certified Organic
• Estate Grown
• Hand Harvested
• Triple distilled
• Aged 11 months in French Oak Barrels

Casa Noble Añejo  

SRP: $54.99

Tasting Notes:

• Toasted oak, butterscotch and vanilla with undertones of sweet, cooked agave that echo this tequila’s Blanco roots

Aroma:

•  Dried fruit & spices

Notable info:

• Made with 100% Blue Weber Agave
• Certified Organic
• Estate Grown
• Hand Harvested
• Triple distilled
• Aged 2 Years in French Oak Barrels

And many do not know that tequila is a type of mezcal (although not all mezcals are tequila).  With that, we wanted to feature a new Mezcal brand we tried and loved called Ojo de Tigre Mezcal.  Ojo de Tigre Mezcal Artesanal, which translates to Eye of the Tiger, is an inviting artisanal Mezcal that seeks to introduce a new generation of drinkers to one of Mexico’s traditional spirits. Unique for its blending of both Espadín and Tobalá, Ojo de Tigre is incredibly fresh, with a subtle smoke profile that is not overwhelming, but rather inviting. Featuring a smooth and delicious flavor profile and crafted using traditional processes, Ojo de Tigre is the perfect summer spirit for sipping or mixing into refreshing cocktails.

If you are looking for a fun take on a margarita, Grand Marnier has the perfect one for you.  The brand has recently collaborated with celebrity stylist and fashion designer Jason Rembert to create the JR Maximalist Margarita.

JR Maximalist Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Espolón Blanco Tequila
• 0.75 oz Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
• 0.5 oz Passion Fruit Puree (Boiron)
• 0.5 oz Lime
• 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
• Black Salt

Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain and serve in a coupe glass with half rim of black salt. Garnish with half a passion fruit.

And for those who are interested in the celebrity spirits market, then you will know about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ tequila brand DeLeón.  And they have given us the perfect recipe for a delicious and refreshing peach mango margarita!

DELEÓN BLANCO PEACH MANGO MARGARITA

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz DeLeón Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz Peach Purée
• ½ oz Mango Purée
• 1⁄2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 3⁄4 oz Agave Nectar Syrup

Glassware: Rocks

Garnish: Tajín & Salt Rim

Rim Garnish: Lime & Peach Slices

Instructions:

Rim rocks glass and Tajín and salt and fill with ice. Add all ingredients into the shaker with ice. Shake and strain into ice-filled rimmed glass. Garnish with lime wheel and fresh peach slice.

Next up we have two recipes from our Volcan Tequila and these recipes are perfect for any hot summer day.

The first one is a take on a classic paloma and this is called La Valoma.

LA VALOMA

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Volcan Blanco Tequila
• ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1.5 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• ¾ Oz Agave Syrup
• A pinch of salt

Instructions: Combine Volcan Blanco, fresh lime and grapefruit juice, salt and agave syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over ice in a highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

The next recipe we have is a fun tequila take on a classic negroni which is called the Mexican Negroni.

MEXICAN NEGRONI

Ingredients

• 1oz Volcán De Mi Tierra Tequila Blanco
• 1oz mL Campari
• 1oz mL sweet vermouth

Instructions: Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice into the mixing glass. Stir until chilled. Fill rocks glass with ice. Strain the liquid into the glass. Strain the liquid into the glass using a julep strainer. Garnish with an orange or pink grapefruit wedge

For some more tequila cocktails, we have to mention a long standing favorite of ours, Tequila Cazadores.  With two fun cocktails that are both easy to make and so delicious, these will definitely be your next go-to recipes.

Cantarito Familiar

Serves 17 people

Ingredients:

• 1 liter bottle of Tequila CAZADORES Reposado (2 oz per 16 oz cocktail)
• 25 oz orange juice
• 10 oz fresh lime juice
• 25 oz grapefruit juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 oz grapefruit soda

Instructions: Combine Tequila, orange juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, grapefruit soda and salt.
Pour over ice. Garnish with orange, grapefruit and tamarind candy.

Paloma

Ingredients:

• 2oz Tequila Cazadores Blanco
• 1oz fresh Lime Juice
• 4oz grapefruit Soda
• 1 pinch of salt

Instructions: Add all ingredients into a salted highball glass filled with ice.

Garnish: with a lime wedge.

The next two recipes come from Betty Buzz which provides the best cocktail mixers ever.  With the versatile flavors that they offer, you can use them to make any type of drink that suits you.

The first one up is a Hot & Spicy Paloma.

 HOT & SPICY PALOMA

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Bottle Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit
• 1.5 oz Astral Tequila
• Splash of Agave
• Squeeze of Lime Juice
• Tajin Seasoning

Instructions: Rim lowball glass with tajin. Fill halfway with ice. Add lime and agave to shaker. Shake well. Strain into glass and top with Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit. Garnish with Grapefruit.

And the next cocktail is the Betty Buzz Sparkling Margarita for those that love a little bubble in their drinks!

BETTY BUZZ SPARKLING MARGARITA

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Astral Tequila
• 1/2 Bottle Betty Buzz Sparkling Lemon Lime
• 1 oz agave or simple syrup

Instructions: Start with a lowball glass and add ice, tequila, agave, Betty Buzz Sparkling Lemon Lime, and stir together. Garnish with a lime wheel.

And our last tequila drink we want to feature is a canned cocktail coming from Buena Fé.  The quenchers are currently available in two expressions: Watermelon Strawberry and Mango Pineapple (MSRP $13.99 per 4-pack). Each batch is USDA certified organic, free of artificial additives or preservatives, and handcrafted with premium  ingredients including organic 100% blue weber agave tequila blanco sourced from the nutrient-rich fields of Jalisco – a rare feat for a canned drink.

Now we also know tequila isn’t everyone’s favorite spirit so we would be remiss to not include some new offerings from other spirit brands that we love.

Greenall’s Gin, the very first London Dry Gin established in 1761, is entering the $4.4 billion RTD industry in the USA with a range of four brand new, naturally-flavored, refreshing, ready-to-drink (RTD) gin and sodas.

Made at England’s foremost gin distillery, G&J Distillers, the new RTDs are launching in fully recyclable cans, just in time for summer imbibing, exclusively for the US market. Greenall’s canned cocktails use the brand’s classic, award-winning, naturally flavored gins with soda.  The lightly spritzy flavors include:

• Wild Berry Pink Gin & Soda – Greenall’s Wild Berry Gin & soda

• Blueberry Gin & Soda – Greenall’s Blueberry Gin & soda

• Sicilian Lemon & Soda – Greenall’s Gin, Sicilian lemon & soda

• Pink Grapefruit & Soda – Greenall’s Gin, pink grapefruit & soda

For us, when we think of a classic summer drink, our mind immediately goes to rosé.  And with that, Mateus has a fun new feature that we are currently obsessed over.  Mateus’ mission for this feature is to highlight creativity via nail polish and nail designs for everyone! So, to celebrate it, Mateus and creative beauty brand Paintbox have launched the Mateus Dry Rosé x Paintbox Power Couple Pack – a unisex nail polish duo inspired by the colors and creativity of Mateus!

The Power Couple features hot pink (Like Babe) and light grey (Like Velvet) nail polishes that will allow you to match your mani to your favorite summer libation. Now when you rosé all day, everyone will know you really mean business.

The Mateus x Paintbox Power Couple Pack is available for sale (SRP:$40) online or at Paintbox NYC.

For the whisky drinkers out there, we recently fell in love with a new brand called Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky.  Abasolo (and its sweeter counterpart, Nixta Licor de Elote) is essentially a love letter to Mexico and corn, Mexico’s ancestral grain. Distilled from the finest, non-GMO, Cacahuazintle corn and undergoing the 4,000-year-old Mesoamerican traditional process of nixtamalization, Abasolo boasts a corn-forward flavor, perfect for backyard barbecues complete with grilled corn on the cob. Its unique flavor satisfies whisky enthusiasts while making it light enough to enjoy during summer months.

And our last feature is a delicious gin brand called Las Californias,  Defined by a borderless provenance, Las Californias is a dual-origin gin that celebrates the terroir that spans Alta California and Baja Mexico – historically known as Las Californias. The story of the land is told through its two launch variations: Nativo and Cítrico. Nativo uses ingredients endemic to the land that predate human development in the region, like Californian hops, white sage and kelp. Cítrico is crafted using botanicals brought to the land through migration, such as apricot, almond and citrus peels. Herbaceous and floral, this gin is the perfect spirit for summer.