Today is National Margarita Day in the US; a day devoted to worshipping the holy concoction that is tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. It's also the drink that makes us squeal "Midnight Margaritas!" like on Practical Magic. But if can't stand the taste of this classic cocktail, here are seven others you might love instead...
Mojito
A simple highball mixture from Cuba, a mojito is made from white rum, sugar or syrup, lime juice, soda water and mint leaves. It's topped with crushed ice and makes for a particularly refreshing beverage for a hot summer's day. It's clean and simple, for those who like their drinks uncomplicated.
Whiskey Sour
Whiskey purists will be grasping their pearls at the thought of this blend, but it's a tasty combination of bourbon or rye, lemon juice, sugar, and sometimes a little egg white (whereby it's known as a Boston Sour). It's shaken before serving, with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry. Delicious.
Martini
Rather a high-class cocktail thanks to the James Bond movies, this cocktail is made from gin and vermouth and usually garnished with a green olive. Popular in the roaring twenties, it's a little outdated these days though that has given rise to a number of variations including the Vodka Martini.
Long Island Iced Tea
Definitely not made using iced tea, this rather trite but essential vacation cocktail consists of vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin and cola. It usually comes with a slice of lemon and a straw, and it remains a timeless classic and one of the most popular cocktails of all time.
Bloody Mary
Rather an acquired taste (as with many cocktails), the humble Bloody Mary appears to be different depending on where you order it. It's usually vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, celery salt and pepper. It's well known as a hangover cure and is usually drank in the morning or early afternoon.
Cosmopolitan
Probably most famous for its appearance in Sex and the City, this combination of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice is possibly considered a "girly" cocktail because if its pink colour. But if that's stopping you drinking it then it's well and truly your loss.
Piña Colada
Last but not least, the cocktail that has it's own song. It's impossible to order a Pina Colada without bursting into Robert Holmes' 1979 hit Escape. The named literally means "strained pineapple", and it includes rum, coconut and pineapple juice with ice and a pineapple wedge on the side. "If you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain..."
Tagged in Cocktails