When Tequila Met Turmeric: 3 Cocktails For Winter
When winter rolls around it’s time to whip out the truly comforting cocktails. The ones that feel like a warm hug and ignite comfort from the inside out. There’s nothing quite like sitting swaddled in a blanket with a delicious cocktail to really help you dial into the spirit of the season.
But the question with these types of cocktails always becomes about what to put in them. While whisky and rum are the traditional winter spirits, there’s a world of possibilities to explore within tequila and it lends itself effortlessly to this sector of warming winter cocktails. Both clear, crisp tequilas like Don Julio Blanco and deeper-hued reposados like the Don Julio Reposado Tequila have a role to play in fashioning a beautiful bespoke winter cocktail.
Don Julio Blanco, commonly referred to as a ‘silver’ tequila is made from the finest blue agave plants and has hints of citrus and offers a smooth, clear flavour that can be put to use with fresher ingredients. Don Julio Reposado on the other hand is aged in American White Oak barrels for 8 months, which gives it a deep amber colour and a rich flavour to match.
To infuse another layer of earthy tones into the drink, another great choice of ingredients is turmeric. Whether in the form of syrup or as a raw spice, turmeric can add dimension to your cocktails and accentuate the unique flavours of tequila to help you craft a drink that’s both comforting and exciting for your winter mixology sessions.
Turmeric Hot Toddy
A winter classic cocktail, the hot toddy offers a warm mix of spirits and spices that captures the aromas of Christmas in a mug. Switch out the traditional whisky for Don Julio Reposado Tequila for a revamped version of this classic.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Don Julio Reposado Tequila
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 240 ml hot water
- Lemon slice and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions:
- In a heatproof mug, combine the Tequila, honey, ground turmeric, and grated ginger.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the mug.
- Pour hot water into the mug and stir well until the honey is dissolved.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and a cinnamon stick.
Turmeric Margaritas
Though margaritas may seem more like a vacation staple than a winter drink, with the addition of some fresh or powdered turmeric, this classic cocktail gets a new lease on life with its earthy, comforting flavours.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- 30 ml triple sec
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup
- Ice cubes
- Lime wheel for garnish
- Salt for rimming (optional)
Instructions:
- If desired, rim the glass with salt by moistening the rim with a lime wedge and dipping it in salt.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, ground turmeric, and agave syrup.
- Add ice to the shaker, then secure the lid and shake the mixture well to chill the ingredients.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over the ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Turmeric Orange Wave
Match some earthy turmeric with the bright, festive flavours of orange for a match that’s made in heaven. The touch of honey helps bring out the natural sweetness in the spirit while also balancing out the acidity of the orange.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Don Julio Reposado tequila
- 30 ml fresh orange juice
- 15 ml honey syrup (mix equal parts honey and warm water, stir until dissolved)
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- Ice cubes
- Orange slice (for garnish)
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker, add 60 ml tequila, 30 ml fresh orange juice, 15 ml honey syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
- Put the lid on the shaker and shake the ingredients well for about 15-20 seconds to chill the mixture.
- Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a slice of orange.
