Today marks National Tequila Day in the UK, but for some, the real celebration lies not in the drink itself but in how it's made. The surge in tequila brands available on British shelves, including newcomers like El Mayor, has created a diverse market that caters to various tastes and budgets. El Mayor Tequila stands out as one of these newer entrants, boasting a 150-year-old family process and fourth-generation Master Distiller Graciela Gonzalez.
El Mayor's production in Arandas, Mexico, involves using 100 per cent estate-grown Blue Weber agave, water, and heirloom yeast. This approach yields a spirit suitable for sipping neat or with a simple mixer, but for those looking to elevate their National Tequila Day experience, three distinct cocktail recipes provide a straightforward way to enjoy the spirit.
The 'Aperitivo Upgrade: Sparkling Paloma' offers a refreshing twist on the classic Margarita. This recipe combines 50ml of Reposado Tequila, 50ml of grapefruit soda, and 50ml of Cava, built over fresh ice in a balloon glass and garnished with grapefruit peel. The Reposado, aged in oak for nine months, contributes notes of vanilla and warm spice, complementing the effervescent grapefruit and Spanish sparkling wine.
For a fruitier take on the Margarita, the 'Twilight Twist: Blueberry Margarita' is an excellent choice. It calls for 50ml of Blanco Tequila, 20ml of fresh lime juice, and 20ml of blueberry syrup. This mixture is hard shaken with ice and strained into a rocks glass over fresh ice, with an optional salt rim and three frozen blueberries for garnish.
The 'After-Hours Sip: The Albatross' provides a sophisticated, tequila-led homage to the Old Fashioned. This recipe uses 50ml of El Mayor Añejo Tequila, one Demerara sugar cube, and three dashes of Angostura Bitters. The sugar cube and bitters are muddled in a mixing glass, stirred down with the tequila and ice, then strained into a heavy-bottomed rocks glass over a single large ice cube, garnished with an orange twist.