Overview
The mercury is soaring, cold and cloudy days have become a distant memory and enjoying a few hours of sunlight after knock-off time is a daily occurrence. Yes, it's summer — which means that soaking in Australia's sultry weather is the number-one pastime across the nation. Well, that and finding something refreshing to drink on those hot days and nights when you're hanging with your mates and having a fiesta.
Enter spritzes. They're light, they couldn't pair better with our climate and they have long been a warm-weather favourite. Feel like you've tried every type of spritz there is, though? Don't want to simply serve the same old drinks to your friends next time you're kicking back by the barbecue or pool? That's where the tequila versions come in — and they're sure to get the party going at any at-home do. We've teamed up with top-notch tequila brand — and, fun fact, Matthew McConaughey's go-to agave juice — Jose Cuervo to bring you four incredibly easy spritz recipes to add to your must-drink list.
THE CUERVO SPRITZ
Serves one
Sometimes, you don't need a complicated recipe — you just need a tasty beverage. This zesty spritz is big on fruit flavours, but still impossible to get wrong.
Ingredients
30ml Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
20ml lychee liqueur
10ml lemon juice
15ml simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura orange bitters
120ml soda water
1 mint sprig (optional)
Method
Add ice to a tall glass, then fill with Jose Cuervo Especial Silver, lychee liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura orange bitters and soda water. To finish, garnish with a mint sprig.
THE TEQUILA BUCK
Serves one
Every buck cocktail features two key ingredients: ginger beer and something citrusy. This version also adds tequila, plus raspberry cordial or grenadine and aromatic bitters for a rosy-hued tipple.
Ingredients
45ml Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado
15ml raspberry cordial or grenadine
20ml lime juice
2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
120ml ginger beer
1 lime wedge or candied ginger (optional)
Method
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado, raspberry cordial or grenadine, lime juice and Angostura aromatic bitters. Shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into a wine glass and top with ginger beer. Then, garnish with lime wedge or candied ginger. Or, you could just watch this quick how-to video below.
ELDERFLOWER T'N'T
Serves one
Tequila pairs mighty well with tonic, as this take on an old favourite shows. You'll also enjoy the distinctive taste of elderflower here, so you won't confuse this for any other spritz.
Ingredients
30ml Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
20ml elderflower liqueur
10ml lime juice
2 dashes Angostura orange bitters
120ml tonic
1 cucumber slice (optional)
Method
Fill a wine glass with ice, then add Jose Cuervo Especial Silver, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, Angostura orange bitters and tonic. Stir, but only briefly, then top with a cucumber slice as a garnish.
SPARKLING MARGARITA
Serves one
A margarita, but make it sparkling? This spritz is as simple and straightforward as it sounds. It's also a perfect go-to for when you only have a few ingredients on hand.
Ingredients
45ml Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado
120ml lemon soda
1 lemon wedge (optional)
Method
Fill a wine glass with ice, add Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado and top with lemon soda, then garnish with a lemon wedge. See? Simple.
Find more Jose Cuervo cocktail recipes by visiting the brand's website.