Aleza Freeman
With National Tequila Day quickly approaching on July 24, bars and restaurants across Sin City are stocking up on the essentials. From your typical “salt, lick, shoot, and bite” celebrations to mucho margaritas, there’s no better place outside of Mexico to spend a day dedicated to Tequila.
Thanks to the city’s talented crew of mixologists, there’s also tons of opportunity to try new and inventive Tequila cocktails. Here are 11 Tequila drinks you must try on National Tequila Day in Las Vegas.
Jeannie in a Barrel
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Esplon Blanco Tequila
.5 oz. Aperol
.5 oz. Cynar
.5 oz. Grand Marnier
2 dashes grapefruit bitters
Camden Cocktail Lounge inside the newly renovated Palms Casino Resort is celebrating National Tequila Day with a variety of inventive Tequila cocktails. The signature Jeannie in a Barrel cocktail was created by Clique Hospitality intoxicologist Eric Hobbie, who also stirs things up at the resort’s new APEX Social Club. Rested in a barrel for 30 days, stirred and poured over a house-made salt sphere, this Jeannie is only coming out of her barrel for a limited time, so don’t miss out. Maybe you’ll even get three wishes.
Banco de Mexico
Mixing fresh mint, Crème de Cacao, Mezcal, Altos Anejo Tequila, and crushed ice, and garnished with fresh mint and flowers, the Banco de Mexico is offered at the luxurious Rosina cocktail lounge inside The Palazzo Las Vegas. The intimate bar serves classic cocktails and wine with heaps of old-school charm, plus some other surprises like a secret menu (shhhh!) and convenient “Champagne Call Button,” ensuring your glass never runs out of bubbles.
Texico
A Texico on National Tequila Day is sure to keep the doctor away. The sweet and spicy cocktail uses one whole Granny Smith apple as an ingredient. Served at The Dorsey inside The Venetian Las Vegas, it also includes El Tesoro Tequila, Dolin dry, lime juice, Orgeat, and an optional egg white, plus a garnish of fresh grated cinnamon. Drink it to the beat of a live DJ at this sophisticated, must-visit spot.
Out on the Tiles
Leave it to veteran Las Vegas celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck to do National Tequila Day with style. He recently celebrated the opening of his new flagship Spago inside the Bellagio Resort and Casino. Now you can celebrate with an Out on the Tiles—Chamucos Silver Tequila, Aperol aperitivo hibiscus, grapefruit juice ,and lime juice—while enjoying front-row views of the iconic Fountains of Bellagio.
White Peach Margarita
Ingredients:
1.25 oz. Cazadores Blanco
.75 oz. Monin White Peach Syrup
1.5 oz. peach nectar
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1.5 oz. sweet and sour mix
Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas is shaking up National Tequila Day with its signature blend of margaritas and Mexican cuisine served Stripside. Poured over ice in a margarita glass, the White Peach Margarita is made with Cazadores Blanco, Monin White Peach Syrup, peach nectar, fresh lime juice, and sweet and sour mix.
House Margarita
Ingredients:
3 parts house lemon-lime mix
2 parts Patron Barrel Select Reposado Tequila
1 part Gaetano Triple Sec
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Summerlin is saying “Salud!” to the holiday with a menu of more than 35 brands of Tequila and $6.95 shots of Pancho’s Patron Barrel Select Reposado. The spirit is a custom eight-month aged, single-barrel Tequila made of French limousin oak. Give it a shot on National Tequila Day in the Classic House Margarita, which also includes house lemon-lime mix and Gaetano Triple Sec.
Mango Ricky
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Gran Agave Tequila
1 oz. mango puree
.75 oz. lime juice
.75 oz. simple syrup
Do yourself a favor on National Tequila Day and get some Therapy, the downtown Las Vegas restaurant with contemporary American cuisine and craft cocktails. Instead of pouring out your problems on the counselor’s couch, try the Mango Ricky. Therapy is te-killin’ it with this fruity and fresh libation, made with Tequila, mango puree, fresh lime juice, and organic agave, then garnished with a lime wedge.
Spicy Cucumber Margarita
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Milagro Silver Tequila infused with habaneros and jalapeños
3.5 oz. fresh sour mix
0.5 oz. agave nectar
3 slices cucumber
3 leaves of mint
Do it up on National Tequila Day with a boozy Tequila cocktail at MB Steak, located at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The steakhouse from brothers David Morton and Michael Morton has a Spicy Cucumber Margarita made with habanero- and jalapeño-infused Milagro Silver Tequila. This tall drink of Tequila also includes fresh cucumber, lime, and mint.
Bibiana
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Don Julio Anejo Tequila
1 oz. Pama pomegranate liqueur
.5 oz. lime juice
.5 oz. agave nectar
3 dashes of Hellfire bitters
Celebrate National Tequila Day more than 800 feet above the Las Vegas Strip at the award-winning Top of the World Restaurant inside the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower. Rise to the occasion with a Bibiana cocktail, made with Don Julio Anejo, Pama pomegranate liqueur, lime juice, agave, and Hellfire bitters. Cocktail making your head spin? It’s not you, it’s the restaurant. The only revolving restaurant in Las Vegas, Top of the World turns 360 degrees every 80 minutes, offering unparalleled views of the city.
Japanese Batangadon
Authentic yet nontraditional Japanese restaurant Zuma Las Vegas, located at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, is celebrating National Tequila Day with an Asian twist on the national drink of Mexico. The Japanese Batangadon combines classic elements of a Tequila cocktail like Don Julio Blanco, lime, and salt, plus an unexpected ingredient, homemade Japanese cola. More like International Tequila Day!
Pink Lemonade
This isn’t your daughter’s pink lemonade! The Pink Lemonade at Honey Salt in the swanky suburbs of Las Vegas is the perfect way for grown-ups to celebrate National Tequila Day. With a mixture of Casamigos Blanco and Deep Eddy Lemon, it only looks sweet and innocent.
