If you’ve been here since the beginning of the blog, you already know my love affair with this time of year. Between the Kentucky Derby, which usually runs the first Saturday in May, and Cinco de Mayo, this weekend always marks my personal kickoff into spring.
This year, obviously, feels a little different. Where we’d normally be getting together with family or friends to watch the race or making plans to pull up a stool at our local Mexican joint for some margaritas and unlimited guacamole on Tuesday, we’re now having to turn our homes into casas de celebrations.
And while I know it can feel like a bummer—and those feelings are completely valid—I think it’s important not to wallow in this. Instead, do a little planning ahead of time so you actually can make the most of these excuses to celebrate! I know that I sound like a broken record, but I can’t emphasize it enough: life doesn’t stop now that we’re quarantined, it just looks a little different. And if there’s ever a time to lean into that fact and embrace it, a tequila-fueled, avocado-smothered fiesta seems like it.
When I recognized I was going to need to be my own bartender this year, I was actually kinda stoked about it. While I love putting on a cute OOTD and hitting the bar, I don’t really love ordering margaritas when I’m out. They’re almost always loaded with sugar and excess calories due to the pre-made mixes, juice concentrates, and flavored liqueurs, and I can maybe suck down two before it feels like I’ve developed an instantaneous ulcer.
So never one to leave things up to chance, I tried my hand at making three super simple tequila drinks this weekend to ensure I had at least one solid option come Tuesday. And honestly? I thoroughly enjoyed them all! I wanted to be sure I got this post up a few days before the big day to ensure you all can safely plan a trip to whatever stores necessary to stock up on your ingredients, though you may already have everything on hand. All three drinks use minimal ingredients and are sweetened naturally with fresh fruit juices and/or a touch of honey. Check out the details below and have a happy, healthy, and safe celebration. Cheers everyone!
The Jennifer
Full disclosure, I completely jacked this idea from my friend, Jen, so all creative credit goes to her. She posted a picture of the most delicious-looking homemade strawberry frozen margarita on her Instagram stories, and I immediately slid into her DMs looking for the recipe. While she didn’t measure any ingredients out, I was able to take what she gave me and craft this refreshing little number.
Ingredients: 1 cup of frozen strawberries, 2 cups of ice, 2 shots of silver tequila, 1/2 cup of seltzer water (any flavor works, though lime or strawberry is encouraged), the juice of 1 lime, and 1 tsp of honey.
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add more ice if you want it thicker.
The Paloma
This was probably my favorite of all three drinks and will be my go-to on Tuesday. Also, not that I’m advocating for drinks prior to the accepted post-5 p.m. window, but if you do happen to be in the market for a new brunch drink or are feeling particularly inspired by Drake’s lifestyle (if you know you know), I think this would be an amazing alternative to your standard bubbles.
Ingredients: The juice from half a grapefruit, 1.5 shots of silver tequila, 2 tsp lemon juice, grapefruit-flavored seltzer water.
Directions: In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, tequila, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice. Shake well. Pour over ice in a separate glass and top with the seltzer water.
– Note: I used an actual cocktail shaker because we have one and I felt like being a bougie bitch, but you can totally just combine all the ingredients in a glass and stir to combine.
The Katie
If you’re as much of a die-hard Bravo fan as I am, you’ll already know why this is called the Katie. Granted we don’t see her come out as much as we used to, but a classic “Tequila Katie” night on Vanderpump Rules always made for a great episode. And I say that with zero judgment…haven’t we all had a Tequila Katie night ourselves? In reality though, this is just a super basic skinny margarita. Simple. Classic. Standard.
Ingredients: Juice from 1 lime, 1.5 shots of silver tequila, 1 tsp honey, seltzer water (again, any flavor is fine but lemon-lime is ideal).
Directions: In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, tequila, lime juice, and honey. Shake well. Pour over ice in a separate glass and top with seltzer water.
–Note: Again, you probs don’t need to use a shaker for this, just be sure to mix everything really well before drinking so the honey has a chance to dissolve.
