Ask A Minnesota Bartender: Your Best Tequila Cocktail

Tequila is so much more than an addition to a cheap, pre-mixed margarita or a shot you slam to get where you want to be in a hurry. When thoughtfully paired with fresh fruit juices, sweetened with homemade simple syrups or balanced with the flavors of complimentary liqueurs, tequila becomes the star of a quality, craft cocktail. Elevate your cocktail game and smash stereotypes with these tequila cocktails, expertly crafted by local Minnesota bartenders.

Hell's Kitchen
80 S. 9th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 332-4700
www.hellskitcheninc.com

Hibiscus Margarita

Hibiscus-infused tequila combined with homemade sweet and sour mix and homemade pomegranate grenadine give this margarita a tart and refreshing berry kick.

Recipe provided by Hell's Kitchen

Created by Michael Ruth

• 2 ounces of Hibiscus Tequila
• 3/4 ounce of Cointreau
• 3 ounces of homemade Sweet and Sour
• 1/2 ounce of Orange Juice
• 1/4 ounce of homemade Pomegranate Grenadine (see recipe*)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake and strain into a glass.

Hibiscus Tequila

• 2 bottles of Reposado Tequila
• 1 tbsp dried Hibiscus Flowers
• 1 Hibiscus/Passion Fruit tea bag (Tazo is an option)

Sweet and Sour

• 1 cup Simple Syrup
• 1 cup Lime Juice
• 1 cup Lemon Juice

Pomegranate Grenadine (makes approximately 10 cups)

• 10 oz Orange Blossom Water
• 5 oz Pomegranate Molasses
• 8 cups of Simple Syrup

*This cocktail is available on Hell's Kitchen's drink menu throughout this summer.

Related: Best Speakeasy Bars in Minnesota

Borough/Parlour
730 N. Washington Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612.354.3135
www.boroughmpls.com

Duck Duck Grey Duck
Earl Grey-infused tequila give this simple cocktail a nice citrus flavor and sophisticated flair.

Recipe provided by Parlour

Created by Jesse Held

• 2 oz Earl Grey Infused Blanco Tequila
• 1/2 oz of Velvet Falernum
• 2 dashes of Bittercube Jamaican #2 Bitters
• Mezcal rinse

Combine first three ingredients in a glass and stir. Rinse a cocktail glass with mezcal and add a rock of ice. Strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with a grapefruit peel, if desired.

*Cocktail available at sister location in Uptown Minneapolis, Coup d'Etat.

Red Cow
393 Selby Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 789-0545
www.redcowmn.com

Bitter Grapefruit Margarita

Cynar adds a welcome, bittersweet complexity to this grapefruit Margarita.
Recipe provided by Red Cow

• 1 1/2 oz Casadores Reposado Tequila
• 1/4 oz Cointreau
• 1/4 oz Cynar
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• 1 1/2 Grapefruit Juice
• Pinch of salt

Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Garnish with grapefruit wedge, if desired.

Related: Ask A Minnesota Bartender: Your Best Martini Recipe

Libertine
3001 Hennepin Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 877-7263
www.libertinempls.com

Yo La Tengo!

Habanero peppers add heat that complements sweet pineapple in this spicy and sweet cocktail.

Recipe provided by Libertine

Created by MJ Marsh

• 1/2 oz Monin Pineapple Syrup
• 2 seeded Habanero Peppers
• 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• 2 Limes
• 2 oz Reposado Tequila

Blend the pineapple syrup and habanero peppers together. Let stand to infuse flavors. Strain into a cocktail glass and then add rest of the ingredients and stir. Garnish with a pineapple wedge if desired.

A Minnesota native that was born and raised Up North, Minneapolis is where Christina Kalinowski currently calls home. Christina appreciates irony, loves bacon, enjoys a hearty libation (drink responsibly, folks), and is an avid proponent of the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.