Rosarita cocktail made with Avión Silver Tequila. Photo: Mokara Hotel & Spa, used with permission.
Celebrate National Tequila Day in San Antonio: Cocktails, Massages, and Riverwalk Vibes
Mark your calendars! National Tequila Day falls on Thursday, July 24, and San Antonio is raising a glass in grand style. Whether you’re in the mood for a vibrant Riverwalk celebration or a luxurious spa experience, there’s something for everyone this tequila-filled weekend.
🌮Ambler at Hotel Contessa: A Weekend Tequila Takeover
📍 Hotel Contessa | 306 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205 📅 Thursday, July 24 – Saturday, July 26
Ambler, the restaurant at the elegant Hotel Contessa, is going all in for National Tequila Day with a three-day celebration along the scenic Riverwalk. Here’s what’s in store:
🍹 Tequila Cocktail Specials & Live Music (Thursday–Saturday)
Cool down with an exclusive frozen grape sorbet topped with tajín and lime for $10
Enjoy live music each night
🎉 Tequila Day Takeover with PATRÓN (Saturday, July 26 | 3–8 p.m.)
Tequila tasting stations
A local vendor fair
Games and giveaways
Hop on the pedal-powered margarita bike to mix your own drink!
No reservations required – event is open to the public
Additional cocktails and bites available from Ambler’s dinner menu
💆♀️ Agave Escape at Mokara Spa: Self-Care Meets Celebration
📍 Mokara Hotel & Spa | 212 W Crockett St, San Antonio, TX 78205 📅 Now through Sunday, July 27
In a beautiful twist, National Tequila Day and International Self-Care Day both fall on July 24 – and Mokara Spa has found the perfect way to honor both with its new Agave Escape Massage Package.
🌿 The Agave Escape Experience
Full-body massage using organic agave oils (known for anti-inflammatory benefits)
Cupuacu butter foot massage to promote deep relaxation and balance
Available now through Sunday, July 27
🍸 Bonus Treat at Ostra
After your treatment, head to Ostra, Mokara’s award-winning on-site restaurant, to enjoy a complimentary Rosarita Cocktail made with:
Avión Silver Tequila
Rosé
Agave nectar
Fresh lemon and lime juice
The perfect way to toast a day of total rejuvenation.
Whether you’re toasting with a tequila trio or treating yourself to a luxury massage, San Antonio offers the ultimate way to celebrate this spirited summer holiday. Salud! 🥂
Madam Paleta Tequila ships to select states across the United States. Photo: Madam Paleta Tequila, used with permission.
Gift-giving during the holiday season is a cherished tradition that promotes warmth and connection. It’s more than exchanging items; it’s about expressing care, appreciation, and thoughtfulness. The act of selecting or creating a gift often reflects the giver’s understanding of the recipient’s preferences, creating a meaningful bond. While the holiday season can be bustling with commercialism, the true essence lies in the joy of giving and receiving. Whether it’s a handcrafted token or a well-chosen item, gifts serve as a tangible reminder of our relationships and the shared moments we celebrate together. With the holidays season just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about gift giving ideas.
Today’s highlight is on the new Madam Paleta Tequila, a female-founded, award-winning tequila brand, rooted in Mexican authenticity that offers additive-free premium blanco flavor-infused tequilas. Crafted with 100% blue agave from Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, it ensures a smooth finish without the dreaded “tequila face.” (Madam Paleta Tequila, 2024)
Madam Paleta is the perfect choice for holiday gatherings and gifting to the tequila aficionado in your life. Why should Madam Paleta be a part of this year’s holiday gifting lists? What sets Madam Paleta apart from other tequilas?
Authentic Flavors:
Madam Paleta Tequila offers 3 authentic flavors inspired by the Mexican Paleta (popsicle) culture. There are no fake flavors, syrups or sugar-based enhancements – what you see is what you get, making it perfect for sipping, shooting, or mixing.
Grapefruit embodies a distinctive blanco tequila infused with natural grapefruit flavors and subtle notes of tart sweetness.
Pineapple offers a refreshing and crisp taste full of flavor, reminiscent of a tropical getaway in every sip.
Tamarind presents the distinct taste of tangy tamarind with an extra layer of boldness and authenticity.
Key Awards:
Madam Paleta Tequila has already received industry recognition with prestigious awards, including the recent 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold victory and “Best in Class” finalist nomination for Tamarind – the first flavor-infused tequila with this distinction.
Madam Paleta also won gold medals for Grapefruit and Pineapple in the 2023 Pr%F Awards and gold medals for Tamarind and Grapefruit in the 2023 John Barleycorn Awards.
Artwork Collaboration:
The brand’s striking artwork and bottle design are equally intentional. Madam Paleta uses its bottle as a canvas, partnering with local artists for each production batch, showcasing bold, vibrant, and lively artwork as an opportunity to celebrate visionary women. The next artist they are partnering with for the new production batch is San Antonio, TX based Hispanic artist Alyssa Raymond.
Madam Paleta Tequila is available for purchase online with delivery available across the nation to select states. In-store purchases can be made at select retailers across Texas.
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
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.
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 Tequilais 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.
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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.
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.
Aguasoloffers 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.
The Banderita Flight cocktail at FRIDA Mexican Restaurant & Bar is made with LALO blanco tequila, a Mexican-owned, Mexican-founded tequila brand. (Photo: LALO Spirits, used with permission.
In the United States, more people consume tequila on Cinco de Mayo than on any other day of the year. LALO (a Mexican-owned tequila brand founded by Don Julio’s grandson) is celebrating the day with specialty cocktails at several bars and restaurants throughout San Antonio on Thursday. (LALO Spirits, 2022)
On Thursday, May 5, FRIDA Mexican Restaurant & Bar (18740 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258) will serve a Banderita Flight — three mini cocktails made with LALO blanco tequila and served in shades of green, white, and red to represent the Mexican flag. Flavors include a melon-lime margarita with citrus salt, ranch water with sea salt, and a strawberry hibiscus margarita with a tajin rim.
Screaming Goat Yard & Tap (4 Sun Valley Dr, Spring Branch, TX 78070) will be featuring LALO Ranch Waters, Palomas, and Perfect Margaritas. There will also be a LALO rep on site pouring taste of the popular blanco tequila from 6p.m. to 8p.m.
All three locations of La Fogata are featuring four special cocktails made with LALO throughout the month of May.
Chispa Margarita – LALO Blanco, Triple sec, Fresh lime juice
Paloma – LALO Blanco, Fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, topped with sparkling mineral water
Ranch Water – LALO Blanco, fresh lime juice, top with sparkling mineral water over ice with salted rim
Ácenar on the Riverwalk (146 E. Houston St. San Antonio, Texas 78205) will serve a special cocktail called La Flaca, a skinny margarita made with LALO.
LALO is available for purchase at liquor stores, bars, and restaurants throughout San Antonio. It is also available onlinewith direct shipping.
LALO is named after co-founder and maestro tequilero Eduardo “Lalo” Gonzalez, the grandson of Don Julio González of the iconic Don Julio tequila brand. Lalo continues the legacy of his father and grandfather with a bold new approach to perfecting blanco tequila. After nearly a decade in the industry seeing tequila follow many different trends, he and founding partner David R. Carballido sought to return tequila to its honest roots with a truly pure blanco tequila, without barrels or additives.
Each batch of LALO is 100% pure. It is made with wisdom passed down through generations of tequileros using the finest agave, handpicked from the Jalisco Highlands, cooked using a traditional process, and distilled only twice to maintain the agave’s integrity. The sole ingredients are fully-matured agave, a proprietary Champagne yeast, and deep well water, honoring the complex essence of the agave.
What began as a small, private batch for friends and family in Guadalajara turned into a tequila high in demand for its taste and purity. LALO is not intended as a special occasion tequila, it is intended to make any occasion special.
SA Examiner 