Overview
Even though we've been at home a bit more than we'd like recently, we can still enjoy a good at-home party. From casual drinks to housemate dinners and raves in our bedrooms, there's no end to the good times you can have, really. Plus, when you're at home, you make the rules. Feel like playing DJ for an evening or cooking up a Masterchef-worthy feast? Guess what, you can. You'll probably want to level-up your cocktail game, too, so you can really impress your mates by shaking and stirring up a storm at your next shindig.
Everyone knows tequila gets a party started, so we've teamed up with top-quality distiller 1800 Tequila to help you bring the fun times to your living room. 1800 Tequila has been producing its premium tequilas for more than 200 years — so it's safe to say it knows its stuff when it comes to agave. Together, we're bringing you delicious tequila-based drink recipes that go well beyond pre-mix margaritas. Next time you're throwing a celebratory bash — or you just want to mix up a beverage at the end of the WFH week — test out these four creative cocktails.
TEQUILA OLD-FASHIONED
Serves one
Let's start with a classic. This one's for when you feel like an old-school drink, but with a bit of an edge. Replace the usual bourbon with 1800's barrel-aged tequila, which has a bit of spice, plus flavours of toasted oak, vanilla and butterscotch. You'll want to sip this one slowly, preferably when you're discussing sophisticated things like politics and literature.
Ingredients
60ml 1800 Reposado Tequila
5ml agave syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
Pink grapefruit (optional)
Ice
Method
Place ice in a rocks glass — or a tumbler — and add half the tequila (30 millilitres). Then, add agave syrup and bitters, stir to combine. Pour in remaining tequila and more ice. Stir again until combined and chilled. Garnish with a pink grapefruit twist and serve. Or, just skip straight to this quick how-to video for a full rundown.
COCONUT MARGARITA
Serves one
If the colder weather has you dreaming of sipping ice-cold drinks by the beach, look no further. This coconut-infused margarita brings the vacay vibes in spades and will level-up any at-home soirée. You'll need a cocktail shaker for this one, so we recommend watching a baby-faced Tom Cruise in Cocktail for some tips before you invite the crew round.
Ingredients
25ml 1800 Coconut Tequila
25ml white crème de cacao
7.5ml coconut cream
25ml fresh lemon juice
Method
Half fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients and shake well until chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a champagne flute and serve.
JALISCO NEGRONI
Serves one
A twist on the classic Italian aperitif, this drink is best drunk before you sit down to a feast. Or whenever you feel like a boozy, bitter beverage — remember: your house, your rules. By using french oak-aged tequila in place of gin, you'll end up with a richer concoction, making it a great winter go-to.
Ingredients
30ml 1800 Añejo Tequila
30ml sweet vermouth
30ml Italian bitter orange liqueur
Orange (optional)
Ice
Method
Pour tequila, sweet vermouth and bitter orange liqueur into a double rocks glass — or a tumbler — and add ice. Stir until combined and chilled. Top up with more ice if desired. Garnish with an orange twist and serve.
TEQUILA 'N' TONIC
Serves one
The tequila 'n' tonic is a variation on your standard G&T. It's simple and easy-drinking — and is your best bet if you're a bit of a bartending novice. Plus, it's a great go-to for when you're cutting shapes with a bunch of mates on your at-home makeshift dance floor. There's zest, a refreshing hint of mint and, of course, tequila.
Ingredients
30ml 1800 Silver Tequila
90ml dry tonic water (Fever-Tree Light or Capi Dry recommended)
Handful fresh mint
Pink grapefruit (optional)
Ice
Method
Pour tequila and tonic into a tall glass over plenty of ice. Garnish with fresh mint and a pink grapefruit wedge and serve.
Become your own bartender with 1800 Tequila and try out these four reinvented classic recipes to impress your mates at your next at-home party. Need to stock up your liquor cabinet? Jump online here or head down to your local Dan Murphy's.