Forget any Friday plans you’ve already made. Make new ones that revolve around tequila because this Friday, July 24, is National Tequila Day. Here are five tequila drinks to try in honour of the day.
Cadillac Margarita at Anejo
Aejo’s margarita menu is impressive: there are 10 margarita variations, made with different tequilas and each with different flavour profiles. Sample the Cadillac Margarita ($12): it’s made with citrus, agave, dry curacao and Casamigos Reposado tequila. (That’s George Clooney’s tequila.)
For something authentic on National Tequila Day, sample tequila straight. Aejo has well over 100 tequilas on its menu and prices start at $7. Pair a flight with the chips and guacamole.
2116 4 St. S.W., 587-353-2656, anejo.ca, @anejoyyc
Margaritas at Barcelona Tavern
Even though this Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant specializes in gin and tonics, it has an impressive margarita bar. Made with Cazadores Blanco tequila, triple sec and agave, Barcelona Tavern offers the classic lime margarita as well as strawberry vanilla, strawberry rhubarb, raspberry mint, passion fruit, mango and blueberry. Choose the 1.5 oz. cocktail for $10 or bring your friends for the fish bowl ($29).
501 8 Ave. S.W., 403-265-6555, barcelonatavern.com, @barcelonayyc
Tropicante at Cannibale
This tequila is made using Cazadores Blanco tequila, a small-batch tequila that was first distilled in Jalisco in 1922. Its other ingredients are Los Siete Misterios Mezcal Espadin (this is much like tequila, originating from Mexico and made using agave), pineapple, lime, habaero and tiki bitters. It’s $11 and tastes like a beach holiday in a glass. Enjoy it on the restaurant’s secluded patio.
813 1 Ave. N.E., 403-454-5808, cannibale.ca, @cannibale_yyc
Sapporo Margarita at Ki Modern Japanese and Bar
Tequila cocktails don’t have to be Mexican. This cocktail from Ki Modern Japanese and Bar tastes like a Mexican Bulldog – you know what that is: a huge margarita with a Corona added just for fun – except that there are a few different, subtle flavours. It ($12) has a slight strawberry taste instead of lime, thanks to the strawberry sake and strawberry garnish, and there’s just a hint of the 7up. This restaurant also uses Sapporo instead of Corona.
308 4 Ave. S.W., 403-264-1133
Envy No Good at Model Milk
Keep National Tequila Day sweet and simple with Model Milk’s Envy No Good. It’s made using five ingredients: its base is Tromba tequila and there is also kummel liqueur, fresh lemon juice, simple Syrup and salt bitters. ($13).
308 17 Ave. S.W., 403-265-7343, modelmilk.ca, @modelmilkbistro