Naughty Agua Fresca

Replacing the agua with tequila is naughty, ¿Comprende? Infused with juicy melon, beware this cool cocktail goes down easy.

Tequila Reposado

Cantaloupe

Honeydew

Brown rice syrup

Dice ¾ cup each of cantaloupe and honeydew. Place melon in blender and liquefy. Pour blended melon through strainer into mixing cup (you should end up with about ½ cup of juice). Add 1 teaspoon brown rice syrup mixing well. Add ¼ cup tequila to sweetened melon mixture. Pour cocktail into ice filled serving glass. Garnish with a thin slice of cantaloupe.

NEXT WEEK:  I'm keeping it tropical for the month of June, starting with a nod to this blog's namesake.

Sweet Suenos

Inspired by the traditional Dulce de Tequila, this sweet concoction takes it literally.

Ingredients:

Tequila Reposado
Hard candy (orange flavored)
Lemon extract
Lemon
Water

Add 1/4 cup water and 3 orange flavored hard candies (I used Lifesavers) to a small saucepan. On high heat with pan tipped to create a pool on one side, stir constantly until candies are melted occasionally taking away from flame to avoid burning.  Set aside to cool. Pour 3 tablespoons tequila and 1/8 teaspoon lemon extract into martini glass. Add 2 tablespoons of candy mixture and top with a thin half moon slice of lemon.

NEXT WEEK:  Naughty Agua Fresca

Chiorita

Sweet and salty just like a margarita should be, but with a nutty twist.

Tequila Reposado
Pistachios
Banana
Honey
Ice

Place 1 small peeled banana in plastic sandwich bag and seal. Divide with fingers into inch sections and freeze overnight. Add 2 tablespoons roasted and salted pistachio pieces to blender along with frozen banana, ¼ cup tequila, 1 teaspoon honey and ½ cup crushed ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into margarita glass.

NEXT WEEK: Sweet Suenos

Pink Paloma

Thanks to Cinco de Mayo we'll be experimenting with some traditional Mexican cocktails this month. Brush up on your spanglish and check out recipes each week for the month of May.

Step away from the Jarritos, mi amigo, and pucker up for the brisk tang of fresh grapefruit.

Tequila Reposado
Grapefruit juice
Grapefruit
Agave Nectar

Fill serving glass half way with ice. Add ¼ cup Tequila Reposado, ½ cup fresh squeezed juice from a ripe ruby red or texas rio grapefruit and ½ tablespoon agave nectar. Stir. Fill glass with ice and top with fresh grapefruit segments. (cut grapefruit from stem end to end)

NEXT WEEK: Chiorita