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International Tequila Day is celebrated on July 24. This day was chosen by UNESCO to declare as Cultural Heritage the landscapes of Tequila, in the Valles region (Jalisco, Mexico) and its extensive agave fields. Tequila is a traditional Mexican drink that, although it is very typical to drink it in shots, also gives rise to spectacular cocktails for all tastes. Therefore, we have selected five places in Madrid for you to make a tequila route tasting refreshing cocktails ideal to beat the heat (and we also propose a bonus track for you to prepare your own cocktails at home). Are you in?
Bakan
Our first stop takes us directly to Puerta de Alcalá, to try the liquid proposal of Bakan restaurant, which has more than 250 types of mezcals and tequilas. Among the cocktails you can try, La Italiana, based on tequila, Aperol, lime juice and agave; also the TconT, made with tequila, tonic, red fruits and lime juice; its traditional Paloma, with tequila or mezcal, lime juice and Thomas Henry Pomelo. And, of course, its varied offer of margaritas. All accompanied by culinary delights from regions such as Oaxaca, Nayarit or the Chalco Valley: from roasted meat, chicken or fish cooked over oak wood, homemade moles or fresh guacamole, to the tortillas made in the restaurant itself from Chalqueño blue creole corn, or the sweet touch with desserts such as the “Campechana”, with Cajeta de Celaya.
Where? At Plaza de la Independencia, 5, 28001 Madrid
Harrison 1933
We don’t go far to delve into the original proposal of Harrison 1933, with the signature cocktails of Carlos Moreno and his team. In his menu ‘Un país para bebérselo’ (A country to drink it in), although he takes a tour through the different regions of Spain creating cocktails inspired by each area, tequila is also included in some of his recipes. One example is the Navarra cocktail, made with Patrón Silver tequila, lime and coconut cordial, patxaran air and blueberries.
In the Castilla-La Mancha section you can also taste this Mexican drink along with honey from La Alcarria, saffron and lime juice. If you want an original and different proposal to celebrate Tequila Day, this will be your obligatory stop.
Where? At Calle de Recoletos, 16, 2800, Madrid
SLVJ
Another very original option is the one you can find in SLVJ restaurants. Here the liquid proposal is in charge of Borja Goikoetxea, head bartender of the group, who elaborates a menu of cocktails that fuses ingredients of Asian origin with other Latin American ones. One of the tequila cocktails you must try is Yugen, made with Don Julio blanco tequila, Casamigos mezcal, corn syrup, chipotle, togarashi salt, London essence of grapefruit and pink pepper, which pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s rolls.
In addition, if you go to SLVJ Madrid and want to continue the evening on the terrace of the Bless Hotel, you can visit Picos Pardos Sky Lounge, whose liquid proposal is in charge of Miguel Ángel Jiménez, from Libé Unique Cocktails. In its Summer Bless menu, you will find summer cocktails with tequila, such as the Horchata MX, with Tequila, rice milk with almonds, agave and cinnamon.
Where? At Calle de Velázquez, 62, 28006 Madrid (SLVJ Madrid and Bless Hotel Madrid). Also in other cities such as Valencia, Barcelona and Marbella.
Ticuí
In the new adventure of the Puntarena group, which opened a few months ago in the center of Madrid, in addition to a Mexican gastronomic proposal, with attention to detail and in a unique setting, there is also room for traditional tequila-based cocktails such as Vuela Vuela, made with Tequila Maestro Dobel, Gentiane, Flor de Sauco and Grapefruit. You can enjoy it both in Ticuí and in its terrace 40/42.
Where? At Calle de Cedaceros, 6, 28014 Madrid
Salmon Guru
This tequila route could not end anywhere else. Salmon Guru returned through the big door just a few weeks ago and has already regained its throne as one of the best cocktail bars in the capital. In its new menu, Diego Cabrera’s project has incorporated 28 signature cocktails that are more transparent and cosmopolitan than ever.
Some are made with tequila like this Mad Bunny, which has redistilled 1800 blanco Tequila, aji amarillo, sweet and sour carrot juice, Chinese 5-spice syrup and amontillado wine foam with coconut water and yuzu juice. That’s nothing!
Where? At calle de Echegaray, 21, 28014 Madrid
Bonus Track: prepare your cocktails at home
Besides tasting original tequila cocktails in different places, you can also prepare them yourself at home. For this special occasion, Entremanos is the perfect choice. It is a Mexican tequila made in a 100% handcrafted way, which claims the calm and tranquility necessary to enjoy the moment of consumption. If you want to bring out your mixologist side, we suggest you make their Alma del Pacífico cocktail, a perfect distillate to combine with different flavors and textures, served in a clay pitcher.
Ingredients:
- 5 cl Entremanos Tequila
- 2 cl lime juice
- 0.5 cl of agave syrup
- Half a ginger beer
