Holiday Tequila Cocktail

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Holiday Tequila Cocktail 

This holiday tequila cocktail is perfect for this Christmas and New Years eve season.   It is a festive winter season cocktail, beautiful to look at and tastes great too.  It is made with a fresh rosemary infused simple syrup, which adds a unique layer to this otherwise simple tequila cocktail.   The garnish is what makes this drink particularly festive and special, with red pomegranate seeds that sink and float on repeat; they bob from top to bottom continuously.  Watching them reminds me of the ball dropping on new years eve.  The pomegranate seeds also look like little red Christmas tree ornaments or the festive holly berries.  This drink is also garnished with a couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary, which resemble a wreath or even a mini Christmas tree sticking right out of the top of this drink.  Either way its wild and festive. I know you will enjoy this holiday tequila cocktail!

The ingredients that make up this simple tequila cocktail are alcohol, simple syrup(sugar and water), rosemary for infusion of the simple syrup(also the garnish), lime, club soda and pomegranate seeds.  This tequila Christmas drink is simple and easy to make.

Tequila Christmas Drink

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• Tequila or Mezcal
• Rosemary (Fresh, bundle)
• Cane Sugar
• Limes
• Club Soda
• Pomegranate 

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Notes and Quantities (for one drink):

• 1.5 ounces of tequila or mezcal
• 1.5 ounces of rosemary simple syrup
• 1-2 bundles of fresh rosemary (need extra for garnish so amount depends on how many cocktails you are making)
• 1 lime juiced
• Top off with club soda
• Pomegranate for garnish with a couple sprigs of fresh rosemary leftover from the bundle
• Preparation:
• -Be sure to freeze ice cubes 
• -Make the simple syrup ahead so it has enough time to cool down

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Instructions:

1. Remove a couple sprigs of rosemary from the bundle for each drink you are making and set aside.
2. Make the simple syrup by adding 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water and a large amount of fresh rosemary to a sauce pan on medium heat. Stir with a metal whisk intermittently through the cooking process.  Place the cover of the top and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes, once simmering. The end result should look like the rosemary is cooked and has turned a brownish, dull color.  Remove the rosemary and pour simple syrup into a glass jar or other appropriate storage container. 
3. Prepare the rim of your cocktail glass by running a cut lime around the edge and then dipping  it onto a small plate with your choice of sugar, maple syrup sugar, salt or spicy salt. 
4. Add ice cubes to your shaker and measure the tequila and simple syrup using a jigger on the 1 ounce side(smaller side). Juice the lime and add to the liquid.  Shake vigorously so that you break off micro ice crystals to make it icy cold. If you were to strain when pouring you should be able to see them floating on the top in the center.
5. Remove top of shaker and pour liquid in to the cocktail glasses.
6. Top off with club soda and garnish with pomegranate seeds and a couple springs of fresh rosemary leftover from the bundle. 
7. Enjoy a beautiful and festive drink and watch the pomegranate seeds sink and float and bob up and down all night!

The most fun thing about using pomegranate seeds in cocktails or champagne is how the seeds will repeatedly sink and then float again.  

Options/ Alternatives:

-If you don’t enjoy the taste of rosemary you could use fresh thyme or lavender.

-You may also swap out the limes for lemons or grapefruit.

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Easy Holiday Cocktails Tequila

FAQ:

-What is the difference between tequila and mezcal?

Mezcal is any distilled alcohol made from the agave plant.  Tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila.  Tequila can only take that name when it is made from 100% blue weber agave plant, native to western Mexico, in Jalisco.  The other legal municipalities are Michoacan, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas or Nayarit, Mexico.

-Would this be good without tequila as a ‘mocktail’ or with another type of alcohol?  

Yes, this could be a fruity soda if made as a non-alcoholic mocktail and would be very refreshing and tasty.  You could also add vodka, gin with this if those are spirits that you prefer. 

Tequila:

Tequila is a distilled alcohol made 100% from the weber blue agave plant.  It is only made in Mexico, mainly in the state Jalisco but there are a handful of other municipalities that are legally allowed to make it and call it tequila.  Tequila was once called other various names such as agave wine, mezcal tequila and mezcal brandy until the very specific and regulated spirit was named after the town of Tequila in Jalisco state. The written history of tequila goes back to the 16th century and is described as locals teaching of what the plant has to offer for making drinks and sugar to the colonizing spaniards.  

The process of making tequila – removing the outer agave leaves to access the heart of the plant.  The hearts are then cooked in brick ovens, underground or in steel autoclaves.  Next is the fermentation process which can take 1-2 weeks.  After the liquid plant extracts are fermented they need to be twice distilled.   Once it has been distilled two times it is called tequila blanco and can be bottled and consumed.  Tequila blanco that goes into wooden barrels are aged to be become reposado or anejo.  

Related recipes:

• Thanksgiving tequila cocktails
• Cinco de mayo tequila drinks
• Holiday tequila punch
• New years eve margaritas

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If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love this fresh strawberry tequila cocktail recipe.

Loved this recipe idea?  Let me know if I should design some more Christmas drinks made with tequila.

Holiday tequila drinks are a fun way to bring a unique and special feel to any family dinner or gathering.  If you are thinking of what to make for new years eve margaritas this is a great choice as the bobbing pomegranate seeds will be like the ball dropping all night.   This is the best recipe I have come up with for festive holiday tequila drinks and I know you will enjoy it.  

This is a great recipe to try if you’re a fan of tequila cocktails and festive drinks. If you do try this holiday tequila cocktail, please rate it or comment below and if you made any alterations and want to let me in on your ideas on this recipe. I would love to hear about it!  If you would like to share or pin on Pinterest I am always thankful.  Check out my food journey on Pinterest at Molé in the Wall.