Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Cocktails

Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Cocktails are excerpted from Beach Cocktails, by the Editors of Coastal Living. Copyright © 2017 Oxmoor House. Reprinted with permission from Time Inc. Books, a division of Time Inc. New York, NY. All rights reserved.

We are delighted they are willing to share them with our readers.

Matador
Pineapple juice infuses this tequila tipple with true tropical flavor.

Serves 1

1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) white tequila
1/4 cup (2 ounces) unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 teaspoon (about 1/16 ounce) Simple Syrup (below)
Garnishes: pineapple chunk, lime wedge

Combine the first 3 ingredients and, if desired, the Simple Syrup in an ice-filled cocktail shaker, and shake vigorously. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish, if desired.

Simple Syrup
Makes 1 1/4 cups

1 cup water
1 cup (8 ounces) sugar

Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Boil until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and let stand 30 minutes. Strain and chill until ready to use.

Tequila Sunrise
When Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones ordered a margarita at The Trident bar in the seaside town of Sausalito, California, in the early 70s, bartender Bobby Lozoff shook up this concoction instead. While it may have been The Eagles who crooned “Just Another Tequila Sunrise,” it was the Stones who took this ombre-hued, three-ingredient cocktail on the road to infamy.

Serves 1

1/3 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) silver tequila
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) grenadine
Garnishes: Orange slice, Maraschino Cherry

Pour the orange juice and tequila over ice in a highball glass; add Grenadine. Do not stir. Garnish, if desired.

El Diablo
This Trader Vic’s cocktail from the 40s is a blushing tequila spin on today’s trendy Moscow Mule. A dash of crème de cassis, French black currant liqueur, adds a touch of sweetness and lends the drink a devilish color. The complex flavor of aged reposado tequila is a good match for ginger beer’s assertive flavor. Reposado is aged in wood barrels that lend a mellow character to the liquor. Be aware that some versions contain added flavorings and colorings. See page 41 for more about tequila.

Serves 1

1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) crème de cassis
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) reposado or añejo tequila
1/3 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) ginger beer or ginger ale
Garnishes: lime slice, sliced fresh ginger

Combine the first 4 ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker, and shake vigorously. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish, if desired.

Mint Julep Iced Tea
This tea holds all the tasty secrets of the mint julep—bracingly fragrant mint and the sweet burn of bourbon—along with fresh lemon, lime, and sweetened tea. Mix it up to create a summer-ready drink for the adults in your circle.

Serves 6

8 fresh mint leaves
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 cup (8 ounces) bourbon
3 cups (24 ounces) cold sweetened tea
Garnishes: fresh mint sprigs, lemon and lime slices

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a 2-quart pitcher. Crush with a spoon until mint is bruised. Stir in bourbon and tea. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

I hope you enjoy these recipes from Beach Cocktails. It is full of so many great recipes that you will enjoy and the photo to inspire you.