5@5: Tequila Cocktails!!!

I like Tequila, yum, yum, yum. I may have been a Mexican in a past life. Yum, yum, yum. Here are some summer cocktails using TEQUILA from CNN's 5@5 food list. I intend to modify as needed to make them less calorie loaded but it seems like these already have some nice modifications. Cannot wait to have a BBQ or a "Poor Girls Happy Hour" and try these out.

1. Spicy Cucumber Margarita
"I LOVE this drink, not only in the summer, but year round! It's got the cooling aspect of the cucumber, followed by the bite of the Tapitio [hot sauce]! A wonderful juxtaposition of flavors."

2 oz reposado tequila (recommended: El Jimador Reposado)
2 oz House Sour (2 parts fresh lime juice to 1 part agave nectar)
3 slices cucumber
2 dashes each of Tapitio and Angostura bitters

Served with ice in a rocks glass.

2. Mexican 77
"This cocktail is nice, sweet and sparkling. It tastes soft on the palate, and is wonderful for a hot summer day."

2 oz silver tequila (recommended: 4Copas Silver organic tequila)
Juice of 1/2 a lemon (1/2 oz)
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Float of Cava (or Champagne)

Served in a chilled Champagne flute.

3. Red Eye
"Now this is a beautiful cocktail! The density of the red wine keeps the wine at the top of the cocktail the entire time. It’s sweet, yet dry."

2 oz reposado tequila (recommended: Milagro Reposado)
Juice of 1/2 a lemon (1/2 oz)
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Float of Red Wine

Served in a chilled Champagne flute.

4. La Paloma
"The bestselling cocktail in Mexico! It’s traditionally made with Mexican Squirt [grapefruit soda], but mine is made with homemade 'Squirt' using freshly squeezed juices. My personal summertime favorite!"

2 oz silver tequila (recommended: El Jimador Silver)
1/2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
1/2 oz fresh squeezed lime
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Topped with club soda

Served with ice in a salt rimmed Collins glass, with a lime.

5. Piñata Smash
"This cocktail is sweet and spicy, with a nice herbal finish. It’s a tasty and refreshing cocktail to sip on those days when the sun just won’t quit.

2 oz silver tequila (recommended: El Jimador Silver)
2 oz House Sour (2 parts fresh lime juice to 1 part agave nectar)
Muddled pineapple chunk, 3 slices of Serrano chile, and a few sprigs of Cilantro

Served with ice in a rocks glass.

More information can be found at 5@5 http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/05/23/55-fred-warner/