National tequila day: The best 10 cocktails around the UK
Ahead of National Tequiladay on Monday, Leighenne Bent rounds up where to get the best Mexican mixes to celebrate
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Your support makes all the difference.From a fiery twist on Tommy’s Margarita to a wild concoction with cider syrup and apple foam, here are the cocktails you need to be drinking come Monday.
Wise at Demon, Wise and Partners - London
Demon, Wise and Partners is an intimate basement bar with plenty of speakeasy sass, and you’ll be glad to hear that they’ve recently revamped their menu. Although there are many highlights (their Champagne cocktail with strawberry and black pepper syrup being one of them), it’s their Wise libation you need to order on the 24th. Made with Ocho Reposado tequila, fresh lime and house spiced syrup, it’s the best twist on Tommy’s Margarita to hit the capital.
Our Girl Daisy at Apples and Pears - London
If you’re after hand-crafted cocktails with mind-blowing presentation, there’s only one place for it: Apples and Pears. This Brick Lane beauty welcomes in a cool crowd all year round, and they have a hidden terrace ideal for sun-soaked drinks. We can list a dozen and one reasons to trot down there on National Tequila Day, but the Our Girl Daisy has to be number one. It’s made with hay-infused Jose Cuervo Gran Centenario Tequila, an in-house apricot and Ancho Reyes blend, lemon, and beso agave syrup.
Mexican City Mule at Pen and Pencil - Manchester
Pen and Pencil’s name takes inspiration from a famous bar in New York that was popular with newspaper big dogs and ad men back in the mid-20th century. Their bespoke cocktails are second to none, but The Mexican City Mule is what you should be drinking on National Tequila Day. This punchy cocktail rules the roost with El Jimador Reposado tequila, Fair’s Kumquat Liqueur, lime and Old Jamaican ginger beer.
Green is Better at Bermondsey Arts Club - London
Unfortunately, scientists haven’t got around to creating a time machine yet (or have they...?), but until that day arrives, you can always hit Bermondsey Arts Club. Drinking in this underground lair is like stepping back into the 1930s, and the bartenders know more than a thing or two when it comes to cocktails. If you’re wondering what the best mix to raise a glass to National Tequila Day is – we’d recommend Green is Better. Blended with tequila, yellow chartreuse, lime juice, Kummel Fennel Liqueur and basil leaves, it’s surprisingly refreshing with an earthy twist.
Peyotito Margarita at Peyotito - London
Peyotito opened in Notting Hill last year, and word on the street is that they've got some of the best tacos around. They're also known for their Peyotito Margarita, that's a punchy twist on the classic. For National Tequila Day their mixologists are upgrading the mix so it features a mini bottle of Casamigos Tequila. It's not going to be around for long, so get down there sharpish.
Boo Radley at Reverend JW Simpson - London
Once the home of a mysterious man called Reverend JW Simpson, this central London bar has preserved its previous apartment life by keeping original room dividers, wall coverings, flooring and tiles. It’s one of the quirkiest drinking dens around and the team recently found a bunch of Simpson’s old belongings (which is where they got the inspiration for their new drinks menu). Boo Radley is inspired by the novel To Kill a Mockingbird; it contains El Jimador Tequila shaken with Amaro di Angostura, fresh lemon, elderflower, free-range egg white and a dash of cardamom bitters.
The Outcast at The Hockley Arts Club - Nottingham
Make a booking for The Hockley Arts Club on 24th and celebrate National Tequila Day with The Outcast. This sweet and sultry cocktail is made with Espolon Blanco Tequila, cider syrup, gomme, lemon juice and guava juice, before being topped with a homemade salted caramel and apple foam.
The Heisenberg London Cocktail Club
The Heisenberg might look like some sort of science experiment gone wrong, but this electric blue concoction is actually one of London Cocktail Club's proudest libations. It's served in a beaker, and it's inspired by the hit TV show, Breaking Bad. A twist on Tommy's Margarita – it's made with a more-than-generous measure of El Jimador Tequila.
Comin' Matcha at The Plotting Parlour - Brighton
The Plotting Parlour is a cocktail bar in Brighton that flaunts exposed brickwork, dark red leather-wrapped seating and magnificent Renaissance-style paintings. The Comin’ Matcha is sure to spark curiosity amongst your taste buds, and it’s what you should be venturing out for on the 24th. It’s made with Patron Silver Tequila, Matcha green tea, lime sherbert and aquafaba. The finishing touches? Salt-coated pretzels, of course.
Margarita at the Four Seasons - London
We don’t want to jinx it, but this might be the best summer London has seen in, well, gosh – we don’t know how long. Take full advantage of this weather miracle on National Tequila Day and venture to the Secret Garden at the Four Seasons. Although they have a ground floor ‘Hennessy Lounge’ and a ‘Veuve Clicquot Champagne Terrace’, they’re serving a classic Margarita that’s refreshingly punchy. Made with Casamigos Blanco, Cointreau, lime, orange juice and agave nectar – you’ll never go wrong with this boozy classic.
For more info on the best bars in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Twitter and Instagram; DesignMyNight.
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