Tequila y Tamales: Posada cocktails from Tequila Don Julio

** I was not compensated for this post; all opinions are my own. Recipes provided by Don Julio. **

Once again, special thanks to my new friends at Don Julio Tequila for hosting a recent Tequila and Tamales event where I found a new sipping Tequila and I got to taste these fabulous cocktails. The recipes were created to accompany different kinds of tamales, specifically for Las Posadas. These cocktails were created by Houston-based mixologist Luis Villegas, Bar Manager at Reef Houston (pictured above).

There are three cocktail pairings:

• Citric Christmas, paired with Oaxaca Style Tamales — This is made with Don Julio Añejo and grapefruit juice, amongst other things. It has a deep flavor that actually enhanced the spicyness of the salsa in the tamales. I took a bite and enjoyed the mild zing, then I took a sip and had the zing intensify.
• Seasonal Punch, paired with Green Salsa Tamales — This is my favorite. I think that’s mostly because I will never make it myself. The base of it is Ponche, which is a traditional Posada drink, and it’s made with Tequila Don Julio Reposado. There’s a complicated mixture that includes smoking the drink, literally smoking the drink. And, of course, I loved it.
• Mexican Holiday Delight, paired with Mexico City Style Tamales de Dulce (Candy Tamales) — This is a kind of dessert pairing. The drink is made with Tequila Don Julio Blanco. I expected the drink to just be sweet, but it’s more of a bittersweet. It has Rompope (a kind of eggnog) and chocolate bitters. The tamales are very sweet, which is balanced with the drink. It’s a good pairing.

Citric Christmas To pair with Oaxaca Style Tamales

Ingredients:

• 3/4 oz Tequila Don Julio Añejo
• 1/4 oz Grand Marnier
• 1/4 oz Mezcal
• 1/2 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• 1/4 oz Agave Nectar
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Grapefruit Peel for Garnish

Preparation:

1. Combine Tequila Don Julio Añejo, Grand Marnier, mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice, agave nectar and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
2. Double strain into a Collins glass with ice.
3. Garnish with grapefruit peel.

Ideal Serving: Collins glass

Yield: 1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol

Seasonal Punch To pair with Green Salsa Tamales

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Tequila Don Julio Reposado
• 1/3 oz Green Chartreuse
• 1/2 oz Ponche Syrup*
• 1/3 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• Orange Twist for Garnish

*To Create Ponche Syrup

• Ingredients:
  • 5 Spanish Plums
  • 3 Guavas
  • 2 Sugar Canes
  • 5 Raisins
  • 2 Oranges
  • 3 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 3 Blocks of Piloncillo
  • 1 Liter of water
• Preparation:
  • Bring 1 liter of water to a boil.
  • Combine all other ingredients and boil for 30 minutes.
  • Let syrup cool before use.

Preparation:

1. Combine Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Green Chartreuse, ponche syrup and fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
2. Strain into a Rocks glass
3. Garnish with an orange twist.

Ideal Serving: Rocks glass

Yield: 1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol

Mexican Holiday Delight To pair with Mexico City Style Tamales de Dulce (Candy Tamales)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco
• 3/4 oz Mexican Eggnog (Rompope)
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/4 oz Agave Nectar
• 1 Medium Egg White
• 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters Ground Cinnamon for Garnish

Preparation:

1. Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Mexican Eggnog, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, egg white and chocolate bitters in a cocktail shaker. Dry shake for one minute.
2. Add  ice to the shaker and shake well for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a Double Old Fashioned glass.
4. Garnish with ground cinnamon.

Ideal Serving: Double Old Fashioned glass

Yield: 1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol

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NOTES:

• Related post: Facts about Tequila for National Tequila Day | HispanicHouston.com
• Related post: Tequila Tasting with Tequila Don Julio | HispanicHouston.com