Tag: Cocktail recipes

Halloween and Día de los Muertos Treats Around San Antonio

Celebrate the spooky season with Twang’s Zombie Fog Piña Colada Recipe. Photo: Twang + Thirsty Bartenders, used with permission.

🎃 Seasonal Bites & Sips in San Antonio: A Celebration of Flavor and Tradition

As the spooky season sweeps through San Antonio, local favorites are serving up treats that are as festive as they are flavorful. From Halloween-inspired pastries to Día de los Muertos breads and hauntingly good cocktails, here’s what’s new and not to miss this fall.

🕸️ Bakery Lorraine’s Halloween Pastry Collection

Available October 25–31 (while supplies last)

Bakery Lorraine is bringing a playful twist to Halloween with a lineup of handcrafted pastries that blend festive fun with refined craftsmanship. (Bakery Lorraine, 2025)

👻 Currently Available In-Store

  • Candy Corn Macaron – A tri-colored delight in white, orange, and yellow, filled with vanilla honey buttercream.

🎃 Available Starting October 25

  • Pumpkin Cream Puff – A charming pumpkin-shaped choux pastry filled with smooth pumpkin diplomat cream and decorated like a jack-o-lantern.
  • Passion Fruit Bat Tart – Almond sablée tart with tangy passion fruit curd, topped with chocolate bats and toasted marshmallow cream.
  • Black Cat Mousse – Cat-themed milk chocolate mousse with a raspberry center on a chocolate shortbread base.
  • Ghost Moon Pie – Graham cracker sandwich cookies with house-made marshmallow, dipped in white chocolate and finished with spooky green eyes.
Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

💀 Twang’s “Zombie Fog” Piña Colada

Available nationwide & in select stores

Take your Halloween gatherings to the next level with Twang, the San Antonio-based, Latino-founded brand known for its bold, Latin-inspired drink rimmers and seasonings. (Twang, 2025)

In collaboration with Thirsty Bartenders, Twang has crafted a hauntingly delicious cocktail:

🍹 Zombie Fog Piña Colada Recipe

Ingredients:

  • Twang Black Flake Salt
  • 1½ oz rum
  • 1½ oz pineapple juice
  • ½ oz lime juice
  • ¼ oz blue curaçao
  • ¾ oz coconut cream
  • Garnish: dehydrated lime wheel

Instructions:

  1. Rim a chilled glass with Twang Black Flake Salt.
  2. Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled and frothy.
  3. Strain into the prepared glass with ice.
  4. Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel.

💡 Pro Tip: Serve it in a skull glass or add dry ice for a foggy, otherworldly vibe!

🌼 La Panadería’s Totomoxtle Pan de Muerto

Available October 24–November 2 (in-store only)

In honor of Día de los Muertos, La Panadería presents a stunning new version of its beloved Pan de Muerto, crafted with handmade Totomoxtle Ash (burned corn husks). (La Panadería, 2025)

🌽 A Blend of Tradition and Artistry

  • Totomoxtle (Nahuatl for “corn husk”) is hand-burned to create a natural ash that gives the bread its deep black hue symbolizing mourning and spiritual cleansing.
  • Filled with slow-cooked sweet potato, the bread offers a naturally vibrant orange contrast and subtle sweetness, free from artificial dyes.
  • The ash adds only a hint of smokiness, letting the bread’s tender crumb and comforting aroma shine.

“With the passion and creativity with which we make our bread, La Panadería honors and welcomes our deceased with much love and respect…” — Azucena Nuño, Pastry Manager

“Día de los Muertos is a centerpiece of our Cultura… The Ofrenda always gives me the light to continue my journey.” — José Cáceres, Co-Founder

🍂 Celebrate the Season in Style

Whether you’re sipping spooky cocktails, sharing sweet treats, or honoring loved ones through tradition, San Antonio’s bakeries and makers are turning October into a feast for the senses.

Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

National Margarita Day: Taco Cabana’s Big Red Margarita, Delicious Cocktail Recipes & Top Margaritas By State

Taco Cabana’s iconic margarita featuring Big Red. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

National Margarita Day, celebrated on February 22, is a beloved occasion for cocktail enthusiasts, particularly fans of the refreshing margarita. This vibrant holiday offers a chance to honor the iconic drink, typically made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, enjoyed in various styles from classic to frozen. For many, it’s a fun, festive day to gather with friends, explore different variations, and savor their favorite margarita concoctions. Bars and restaurants often offer special deals, making it a go-to event for those seeking to indulge in the tangy, citrusy goodness of one of the world’s most popular cocktails.

Casino.org is a leading online resource for casino enthusiasts, offering comprehensive information and guidance to gamblers worldwide. The website provides reviews of online casinos, ensuring players can make informed decisions about where to play. It serves as a trusted hub for both new and experienced gamblers looking for valuable insights. (Casino.org, 2025)

With National Margarita Day around the corner, they are celebrating by revealing America’s favorite margaritas. By using Google Trends, they found the most sought after margaritas in each state.

Here are the top 5 margaritas:

  1. Skinny margaritas
  2. Classic margaritas
  3. Spicy margaritas
  4. White Christmas margaritas and virgin margaritas
  5. Mistletoe margaritas, pomegranate margaritas, and frozen margaritas

See the full study here, along with details on which margarita each state prefers and a fun infographic.

If you’re a fan of Taco Cabana, margaritas, and Big Red in Texas, Taco Cabana (TC) is excited to announce the return of its Margarita featuring Big Red just in time to celebrate National Margarita Day (February 22). The margarita will be a limited-time offering that blends two Texas favorites: Taco Cabana’s classic margaritas and Big Red’s iconic soda. (Taco Cabana, 2025)

In collaboration with the team at Keurig Dr Pepper, Taco Cabana has crafted a one-of-a-kind, innovative experience to give margarita lovers a delicious new twist on the classic margarita. Guests can purchase this offering in the following sizes:

  • Single Serving – Perfect for a quick, refreshing drink.
  • Margarita Yard – For those who want to indulge in the ultimate margarita experience.

Taco Cabana’s Margarita featuring Big Red will be available starting Friday, February 21 just ahead of the holiday for a limited time only. Guests must be 21+ to purchase. Margaritas must be purchased alongside a food item at Taco Cabana.

Menu items are available for in-restaurant dining, drive-thru, online ordering for front counter or curbside pick-up, and through the MY TC!® App or TacoCabana.com for mobile orders..

National Margarita Day: Saturday, February 22, 2025
*Available starting February 21 just ahead of the holiday
**Available for a limited time only

If you prefer to make them at home, here are some recipes from Cantera Negra Tequila, including a cult classic, winter twist and traditional margarita. Cantera Negra is additive-free and celebrity-free ultra-premium tequila made from 100% fully mature blue weber agave, hand-crafted in small batch quantities from 40 years of family tradition in Mexico and sourced from rich volcanic soil.

Their award-winning portfolio of additive-free tequilas includes Silver, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo, and Café, premium coffee liqueur known for its distinctive character and refined taste. Their aged tequilas are aged longer than standard and perfect for both sipping and cocktails in the colder months – check out Reposado in the Winter Marg recipe below. (Cantera Negra Tequila, 2025)

Winter Marg

Let every sip warm you up from the inside out. A perfect combination of Cantera Negra Reposado, fresh lime and blood orange juice, complemented by a flavorful winter spice rim.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 parts Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila
    • 0.5 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 part Fresh blood orange juice
    • 0.5 part Agave syrup
    • 0.75 tsp Vanilla extract
  • Directions:
    • Rim a rocks glass with winter spice mix.* Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into prepped rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
    • *Winter spice mix: .5 tsp salt, .5 tsp sugar, .25 tsp cinnamon, and .25 tsp chili powder

Tommy’s Margarita

This go-to cult classic is known as a “Tommy’s Margarita” and is a bartender favorite.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 parts Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
    • 1 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 part Agave nectar
    • Blood orange slice for garnish
  • Instructions – Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a half salt rimmed rocks glass and garnish with blood orange slice.

Cantera Margarita

Traditional margarita recipe but with orange bitters to give a nice orange essence without any added sugar.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 parts Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
    • 1 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 parts Agave syrup
    • Orange bitters
  • Instructions – Shake and strain over ice in double rocks glass. Add 2 dashes of orange bitters.
Cantera Margarita. Photo: Cantera Negra Tequila, used with permission.

Savor the Flavor: Twang’s Perfect Dry January Cocktail Recipe

Enjoy Dry January with Twang’s Miche-Nada Recipe. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Dry January has gained popularity as a way for individuals to reduce their alcohol consumption, often for health reasons. By committing to a month of sobriety, participants can experience immediate benefits, such as improved sleep, increased energy, and better hydration. It provides an opportunity to reset habits, assess personal drinking patterns, and evaluate how alcohol affects overall well-being. Many people find the challenge empowering, with the support of a growing community engaging in the same commitment. Dry January also offers a break from the pressures of social drinking, promoting mindfulness and a healthier approach to alcohol consumption in the long term.

With the Dry January movement gaining popularity on social media, I want to share a refreshing, non-alcoholic recipe from Twang, a sensational Tex-Mex-inspired, family-driven company infamous for its bold blends of flavored salts, sugars, and spices since 1986. (Twang, 2025)

To celebrate Dry January, Twang offers a twist on the classic Michelada —the Miche-Nada. Made with Twang’s Reserve Michelada Mix in flavors like classic, spicy, or pickle; this drink packs a punch with all-natural ingredients, including real lime juice, ancho chiles, and organic Worcestershire sauce. For the ultimate experience, top it off with Twang’s zesty Drink Rimmers in varieties like chile lime, grapefruit, dill pickle, and more.

The 16oz Michelada Mix is just $7, conveniently packaged for easy shipping, while Drink Rimmers are $5 for 4oz of unbeatable flavor. Twang is available in-store in all 50 states and ships nationwide, ensuring every abstemious friend or family member can easily enjoy.

Twang Miche-Nada

Ingredients:
• Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix (classic, spicy, or pickle flavors)
• Twang Rimming Salt (chile lime, grapefruit, dill pickle & more flavors)
• Ice
• Sparkling water
• Lime wedge

Directions:

  1. Rim your glass with your choice of Twang’s Rimming Salt
  2. Add some ice to your glass
  3. Add your choice of Twang Reserve Michelada Mix
  4. Add sparkling water
  5. Garnish with a lime wedge

Shake Up Your Summer: New Twang Products Perfect for Refreshing Cocktails

Twang’s homage to National Watermelon Day. Photo: Giant Noise Partners, used with permission.

With this intense summer heat, there’s no better excuse to dive into fresh fruit and delicious libation than National Watermelon Day. Saturday, August 3, is a day dedicated to the summer-centered, hydrating life-saver that is watermelon. Enthusiasts can celebrate in a variety of ways, be it through a refreshing drink, a themed party, or taking advantage of the perfectly ripe fruit through seasonings like salt and chili. No matter how you celebrate, it’s clear that watermelon is a staple of the season. (Twang, 2024)

A major player in online snacking trends all over the country is Twang. Embodying the principles of Hispanic-American nostalgia in the form of premium-flavored salts, sugars, and seasonings, Twang is best known for its bold Mexican flair in every shaker. The best part about Twang is that its iconic flavors can be carried around with you at any time, whether that be in the palm of your hand, the pocket of your jeans, or the bottom of your purse, Twang makes every moment more exciting.

In honor of National Watermelon Day, Twang wants to share an innovative cocktail made by one of the frontrunners of San Antonio’s mixology world: Aaron Peña. Owner of Amor Eterno, a vibrant and intimate cocktail lounge known for its imaginative flavors and classic bartending, this Grilled Watermelon Margarita featuring Twang embodies true summer-lovin’. 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup fresh grilled Watermelon
  • 1 ounce fresh squeezed Lime Juice
  • ¾ ounce Agave syrup – adjust to your taste
  • 2 ounces of Madam Paleta’s Premium Pineapple Tequila
  • 1 cup of Ice

Instructions:

  • Add all ingredients to blender on high speed
  • Rim the glass with Twang’s Lime Drink Rimmer or your favorite Twang seasoned salt
  • Pour into your rimmed glassware and enjoy!

Twang is also excited to unveil its new branding and packaging, along with several new delectable products: Chili Lime Beer Salt, Tangy Tamarind Snack Salt, and Classic Chamoy Snack Salt. Twang’s new packaging can be found online and in stores such as Walmart and HEB. 

Twang has seen tremendous growth since its founding in 1986. The brand currently has four product categories in its portfolio and a thriving food service division. Until now, the product lines had their own branding and were previously referred to as Beer Salt, Twangerz, Twang-A-Rita, and Reserve Michelada Mixes. In an effort to streamline the branding as the company continues to expand, all products will live under the Twang banner – shifting from a “House of Brands” to a “Branded House.”

Beer Salt is now Twang Beer Salt, Twang-A-Rita is now Twang Drink Rimmers, Twangerz is now Twang Snack Salts and Reserve Michelada is now Twang Michelada Mixer. Twang’s products are still retaining their great flavors and the brand is even adding new ones, they simply will all be united under the Twang name. In addition to its new monikers, the brand’s packaging has been redesigned to represent the brand’s Latino heritage and its fun and playful culture. Twang’s Snack Salt shakers are now decorated with ‘papel picado,’ the traditional Mexican craft of cutting intricate designs out of colorful paper, typically used for celebratory decor. In addition to Twang’s Drink Rimmers moving from a bag to a tub container, the lids are decorated with icons unique to each flavor profile. Each Twang Beer Salt depicts a scene being played out on the bottle, and each Michelada Mixer features clear and bold packaging that reflects the flavors inside.

“This brand refresh has been a labor of love for the Twang team. We are excited to bring everything together in a cohesive, but fun way that really highlights who we are as a company.” – Twang CEO Elysia Treviño-Gonzales

As part of the brand’s refresh, Twang is unveiling three new flavors amongst its existing product categories: Chile Lime Beer Salt, Tangy Tamarind Snack Salt, and Classic Chamoy Snack Salt. Twang’s Chile Lime Beer Salt offers a zesty punch of lime and chiles that pair perfectly with beer, hard seltzers, canned cocktails and sodas. Twang’s Tangy Tamarind Snack Salt combines the fruit flavor with spicy chile and tangy lime, while the Classic Chamoy Snack Salt is Twang’s granular take on the beloved condiment that merges the flavors of pickled fruit, chiles and lime. Both new Snack Salt flavors transform everyday snacks like fruit, veggies, and candy into extraordinary treats.

The new Twang branding and products are rolling out in stores now and will be widely available in the coming months.

Established in 1986, Twang Partners, LLC is a trailblazing Latino-founded company dedicated to crafting premium-flavored salts, sugars, and seasoning blends. With a rich history spanning over three decades, Twang consistently delivers top-quality products authentically made to enhance the taste, appearance and enjoyment of food and beverages. At the heart of Twang’s diverse portfolio are grab and go Flavored Snack Salts, Beer Salts, Drink Rimmers, and an All-In-One Michelada Mix. Additionally, Twang specializes in crafting blends tailored for the foodservice industry. Their commitment to quality and innovation has driven successful collaborations with top food and beverage companies worldwide, resulting in custom toppings and inclusions that redefine culinary experiences.

Twang announces exciting new products and fresh looks. Photo: Garrett Smith/Giant Noise Partners, used with permission.

Cocktail recipes for National Margarita Day and beyond

The Winter Margarita made with Cantera Negra Reposado. Photo: Cantera Negra, used with permission.

National Margarita Day is celebrated every year on February 22 as an homage to one of the best and most popular cocktail drinks. If you are looking for new margarita recipes or a way to spice up your favorite margarita, look no further than the following from Cantera Negra and Twang. (Cantera Negra, Twang, 2024)

Cantera Negra Tequila is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila, hand-crafted in small batch quantities from 40 years of family tradition in Mexico. Decades ago, Don Alberto Becherano began making tequila as a hobby, and since then, he has been perfecting his proprietary method for making one of the best tasting tequilas in the world. Cantera Negra means “Black Quarry,” inspired by the rich volcanic soil from where their agaves grow. Their tequila is handcrafted in small-batch quantities using 100% fully mature Blue Weber agaves. They do not believe in cutting corners and permit only time-honored traditional production methods, and unlike others, they never add sugars or colorings. Below are a couple of their margarita recipes, including a winter twist and a cult classic. Photos courtesy of Cantera Negra, used with permission. 

Winter Marg– Let every sip warm you up from the inside out! A perfect combination of Cantera Negra Reposado, fresh lime and blood orange juice, complemented by a flavorful winter spice rim.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 parts Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila
    • 0.5 part Fresh lime juice
    • 0.5 part Fresh blood orange juice
    • 0.5 part Agave syrup
    • 0.75 tsp Vanilla extract
  • Directions:
    • Rim a rocks glass with winter spice mix.* Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into prepped rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
    • *Winter spice mix: .5 tsp salt, .5 tsp sugar, .25 tsp cinnamon, and .25 tsp chili powder

Tommy’s Margarita – This go-to cult classic is known as a “Tommy’s Margarita” and is a bartender favorite.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2oz Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
    • 1oz fresh lime juice
    • .5oz agave nectar
    • Blood orange slice for garnish
  • Instructions
    • Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a half salt rimmed rocks glass and garnish with blood orange slice.

**********************************************

Twang, a Tex-Mex inspired, family-driven company, specializes in the creation of products with flavored salt, sugar, and spice blends. 

The Twang-A-Rita premium cocktail rimmer blend is a must for the at-home-bartender and cocktail enthusiast this National Margarita Day. Available for national shipping, flavors include Safari Spice (spicy mango flavored), Sunrise Spice (chili lime flavored), Nectarberry (strawberry & lime flavored), Paloma Love (grapefruit flavored), CitruSplash (lemon & lime flavored) and Unwind Lime (lime flavored). Each flavor of Twang-A-Rita retails for $4.00, or they have variety packs with three different flavors for $10.00.

So raise a glass to the flavors that bring us together and toast to the taste of tradition sprinkled with a whole lot of amor. There’s a Twang-A-Rita cocktail rimming blend that compliments every margarita.

Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Valentine’s Day cocktails and gift ideas

The Love Paloma made with Cantera Negra Silver Tequila. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Red alert!! Valentine’s Day (February 14) is less than a week away. If you are still looking for gift ideas and cocktail recipes to celebrate the big day with your loved one, check out these gifts and festive new recipes from Gray Whale Gin, Cantera Negra Tequila, and Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon. (Create Entertainment/Create Studios, 2024)

Gift ideas:

The new Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon (best gifts under $55), the entire portfolio of certified additive-free, celebrity-free tequila made from 100% fully mature Blue Weber Agave, Cantera Negra Tequila (including Silver, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo and Café), and the Gray Whale Gin Sustainable Apparel Collection and upcycled candle, both benefitting Oceana.

Cocktail recipes:

Valentine Cheers

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 parts Gray Whale Gin
    • 1 part Pear juice
    • 0.5 part Simple syrup
    • 0.5 part Fresh lemon juice
    • 3 parts Josh Prosecco
    • Garnish: Green grapes and rosemary sprig for garnish
  • Instructions:
    • Set aside 2 green grapes for garnish.
    • Combine remaining ingredients except for Josh Prosecco in cocktail shaker.
    • Lightly muddle grapes, then shake vigorously.
    • Double strain into champagne flute and top with Josh.
    • Garnish with rosemary sprig skewered with grapes. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Love Paloma

A delightful blend of Cantera Negra Silver, pomegranate juice and zesty fresh lime juice, the Pom Paloma is a twist on a classic. Allspice Dram adds a hint of winter spice that balances the tart pomegranate and will have you coming back for more.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 parts Cantera Negra Silver Tequila
    • 0.75 part Pomegranate Juice
    • 0.75 part Allspice Dram
    • 0.25 part Fresh lime juice
    • Top with soda
  • Directions:
    • Combine all ingredients (except soda) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with a blood orange slice. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Date Night Old Fashioned

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 parts Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon
    • 0.25 part Maple Syrup
    • 2 dashes Coffee Pecan Bitters
    • 2 dashes Black Walnut Bitters
    • Garnish with Orange Peel
  • Instructions:
    • Add Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon, maple and bitters to mixing glass over ice. Stir for 30 seconds until cold. Strain liquid over fresh ice into rocks glass and garnish with orange peel. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon: The name, bottle and small batch approach were inspired by the turn of the century in America, a time of unprecedented progress and adventure when all bourbon was small batch. Aged in the rolling hills of Tennessee, Bib & Tucker doesn’t cut corners and uses no additives, artificial flavors or artificial colors. In a time when other brands are taking their age statements away, Bib & Tucker proudly puts the age statement on the front of every bottle. Bib & Tucker 6-Year-Old was awarded 93 Points from Whisky Advocate, ranking #14 out of the Top 20 Whiskies in 2021, and the bourbons are best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in whiskey-forward cocktails.

Cantera Negra is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila, hand-crafted in small batch quantities from 40 years of family tradition in Mexico. Decades ago, Don Alberto Becherano began making tequila as a hobby, and he has been perfecting his proprietary method for making undoubtedly the best tasting tequilas in the world ever since. Cantera Negra means “Black Quarry,” inspired by the rich volcanic soil from where our agaves grow. Their tequila is handcrafted in small-batch quantities using 100% fully mature Blue Weber agaves. Cantera Negra does not believe in cutting corners and permit only time-honored traditional production methods, and unlike others, they never add sugars or colorings.

Gray Whale Gin was founded on the principle that a consciously crafted spirit can bring people together for good times while doing some good in the world. Every bottle of Gray Whale Gin gives back through 1% for the Planet and partnership with Oceana, the largest organization in the world devoted to ocean conservation. In less than 5 years, Gray Whale Gin has already helped make legislative change, permanently protecting the oceans off the West Coast. Gray Whale Gin is perfected with sustainably sourced and wild harvested botanicals foraged along the migratory path of the California Gray Whale.

Aguasol’s additive free tequila steals the spotlight

Friends Charles Attal and Eduardo Margain made their vision for an additive free tequila a reality when they released Aguasol earlier this year. Photo: Aguasol, used with permission.

Fully mature agave, natural spring water, and the Jalisco, Mexico sunshine are the only three things inside Aguasol’s distinctive, ridged bottle. Named for its simplicity, Aguasol was born backstage at a live music festival, through a bolt of inspiration from the brains of Charles Attal (co-founder of C3 Presents) and Eduardo “Eddie” Margain (co-founder of Austin FC). (Aguasol, 2023)

The two friends were enjoying the final weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017 when they found themselves feeling sluggish and slow after a weekend of celebrating. Between sets, Attal and Margain discussed their shared desire for a clean tequila, one without any sweeteners, glycerin, artificial flavors or colorings — only the essentials. They forged a pact to make a fine tequila made honestly, transparently, and traditionally from the best agave available.

Aguasol offers two additive free expressions — blanco and reposado. The reposado is produced using the same traditional process as the blanco, then aged in American bourbon barrels for three months. The tequila presents subtle hints of cooked agave with mild pepper and soft oak.

Aguasol is currently available throughout Texas in over 850 retail stores and 900 bars and restaurants. 

“We started selling it quietly earlier this year and the reception has been incredible. We sold over 5,500 cases in four months, and we’re on track to move 10,000 cases in eight months, all with zero marketing. – Charles Attal

Attal and Margain kicked things off by sharing their new tequila with the city they call home at Austin City Limits Festival 2023 in October, where it was served up throughout the park over the two festival weekends.

Proceeds are donated to the Careyes Foundation in Jalisco, which catalyzes innovative programs in education, environment, wellness, and the arts to improve the well-being of 12 rural communities along the South Pacific coast of Mexico.

Cocktail Recipes

Besito Collins
Recipe: Dillon Keeler Photo: Dimitri Staszewski

1.5oz Aguasol Blanco
0.5oz Lemon Juice
0.5oz Beet Juice
0.25 Simple Syrup
Pinch of Salt

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice, hard shake, strain over fresh ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Manzarita
Recipe: Dillon Keeler, Photo: Dimitri Staszewski 

1.5oz Aguasol Blanco / Repo 
0.5oz Cointreau / Triple Sec 
1oz Lemon Juice 
0.5oz Simple Syrup  Splash of spiced apple cider 

Hard shake, strain onto fresh ice. Top with a splash of spiced apple cider. Garnish with apple slice and cinnamon stick. 

Espresso Martini
Photo: Dimitri Staszewski

1oz Aguasol Reposado
1oz Coffee Liqueur 
1oz Espresso / 1.5oz Cold Brew
0.5oz Simple Syrup
(Optional 1 dash of Mole Bitters)

Hard shake, fine strain, garnish with cinnamon or coffee beans.

Festive drinks for Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Smirnoff ICE Preparadas. Photo: Chris Perez, used with permission.

Cinco de Mayo is this Friday, and if you are looking for cocktail ideas for your get together, here are two of them. (Giant Noise, 2023)

Cantina Margarita:

Austin-based CANTEEN Spirits launched a Mexican-inspired, margarita-style hard seltzer in February 2023. It is currently available throughout Texas with national distribution coming soon. Dubbed the Cantina Margarita, the new seltzer is available in three flavors — original (margarita), strawberry, and mango. Each 12-oz can contains only 110 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram net carbs and is brewed at 6% alc/vol, higher than most big brand hard seltzers. Unlike their previous lines, the Cantina Margarita is made with alcohol produced from cane sugar, a departure from the company’s spirit-based model.

“After carefully examining the current RTD market, we saw the popularity of hard seltzers declining, with one exception: Mexican-inspired cocktails like margaritas and agua frescas are still growing, and doing so at a rapid pace. Expanding from spirit based RTDs into the hard seltzer realm was a natural evolution for CANTEEN.” said CANTEEN’s co-founder and CEO, Brandon Cason.

CANTEEN Spirits’ new Cantina Margarita-Style Hard Seltzer. Photo: CANTEEN Spirits, used with permission.

Smirnoff ICE Preparada:

The Smirnoff ICE Preparada is over-the-top, bright, and colorful, just like Cinco de Mayo. It showcases an array of ingredients and flavors and is endlessly customizable. Made from a refreshing combo of Smirnoff ICE, fresh chopped fruit, chamoy, chili salt, and spicy/sour Mexican candies, the drink was first popularized at drive-thru daiquiri shops in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. 

Preparadas skyrocketed in popularity at San Antonio’s iconic Fiesta celebrations in 2011 and have been a staple of the city-wide party ever since. They are now regularly enjoyed at bars, restaurants and festivals throughout Texas in the spring and summer months. Here is a recipe to make one of your own at home:

Ingredients

  • 1 (one) 11.2 oz bottle of Smirnoff ICE (Original, Spicy Tamarind or Green Apple flavor)
  • 1 oz chamoy
  • chili salt (for rim)
  • 1/2 cup diced pineapple
  • 1/2 cup diced strawberries
  • sour gummies, and Mexican candies
  • 1 package dried chili mango
  • 1 bamboo skewer

Instructions

  • Rim your favorite glass with chamoy and chili salt
  • Fill glass with ice
  • Add in diced pineapple and strawberry
  • Fill glass with your favorite flavor of Smirnoff ICE
  • Top with sour gummies and Mexican candies. 
  • Drizzle chamoy over gummies and candies
  • Garnish with skewer of fruit, candies, and chamoy

Easy to make cocktails for Valentine’s Day

Twang’s Galentine’s Day Pink Drink. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Valentine’s Day is just two weeks away and many couples will be celebrating at home this year. Below are a couple of the best easy-to-make, cocktails lovers can shake up from the comfort of their own kitchens to share with their valentine or best gal pals. Best of all, all spirits mentioned are available nationwide for door-step delivery. (Garrison Brothers Distillery, Twang, 2021)

Garrison Brothers Distillery – the first legal whiskey distillery – Sweet-Mash Texas Bourbon Kicks Up A Decadent Chocolate Strawberry Martini
Recipe – Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini; Glassware – Martini
Ingredients:
• 2 oz. Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon
• 1.5 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
• 1 oz. half-and-half
• simple syrup to taste (1/2 oz. to 1 oz.)
• 2 whole strawberries, washed & stemmed
• 1 bottle Hershey’s dark chocolate shell

Instructions:
• prepare martini glass by dipping the rim in chocolate syrup and allowing it to harden
• swirl chocolate syrup in circular pattern inside the martini glass, place in freezer to chill
• dice one strawberry and place in bottom of mixing tin
• add bourbon, Godiva, half and half
• muddle until strawberry becomes pulp
• add ice
• Shake
• strain into martini glass
• garnish with upside down strawberry strawberry slice

Twang – Celebrate Girls’ Night In this Galentine’s Day With This DIY Cocktail
Recipe – Galentine’s Day Pink Drink; Glassware – Margarita glass
Ingredients:
• Twang-A-Rita Citrus Splash
• 4 oz. Strawberry lemonade
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. Dulce Vida Tequila
• 1 oz. triple sec

Instructions:
• Run a lemon along the edge of a highball glass and rim with Twang-A-Rita Citrus Splash
• Add ice, strawberry lemonade, lemon juice, triple sec, and tequila. Stir to combine
• Garnish with lemon wedge