With National Tequila Day (July 24) fast approaching, it’s time to get your agave plans sorted. And with the special event falling on a Monday, I’ve personally decided to just go the whole hog and make it National Tequila Weekend! While we’re firm believers at Secret London that there’s never a bad day to enjoy some tequila, we sure do like celebrating it. Whether you prefer sipping at tequila straight, throwing back shots, or crushing margaritas, we’ve got a few agave-fuelled ways for you to celebrate:
1. Judge some of the city’s best margaritas
The Margarita Rumble is bringing together some of London’s best bartenders and mixologists under one roof for the ultimate marg-face-off. Across multiple sessions on July 22, you’ll be able to drink a host of delicious margaritas, before placing your judgment on who you deem the best of the best. And fret not – all your margaritas are included in the ticket price! Nab one of the last remaining tickets, here, before you miss out!
If you don’t fancy spending a whole day drinking margaritas (which, I guess, some people might not?) and just need some good recommendations, check out our guide to London’s best margaritas.
2. Sip at London’s prettiest tequila concoction
Hacha is already revered throughout London for their Mirror Margarita. The crystal clear, perfectly balanced expression of tequila, citrus, and grapefruit is one of the most iconic cocktails in London’s tequila scene. Well, especially for National Tequila Day, they’ve partnered with El Rayo Tequila for a limited-edition new flavour of the crystal-clear Margarita. This time, they’ve amped it up with the flavours of blood orange, lemon, and lime for a rounded and bright citrus flavour profile. It’s a must-try for Mirror Margarita fans and just marg fans in general!
Speaking about the collaboration between the brand and Hacha, El Rayo Co-Founder, Tom Bishop, said: “The deliciously clean and fresh flavours of our 100% natural tequila make it the perfect fit for this very special Mirror Margarita, which celebrates the vibrant blue-agave flavours of El Rayo No1 Plata.”
Bottles of the El Rayo x Mirror Margarita are available from both the El Rayo and Hacha online shops. But you can also enjoy the cocktail in the bar themselves, at Hacha Dalston and Brixton, for just £10 apiece from 24 July.
3. Try out Nobu’s take on the beloved tequila cocktail
One of London’s classiest restaurants, Nobu London Shoreditch, has recently launched its bar and terrace, where they’ve got a mean selection of tequila cocktails and plenty of delicious sushi dishes and small plates. I mean, okay, they serve more drinks than just tequila – but we’re focused on one thing here!
In the more casual environs of the terrace area (who ever heard of a posh, stuffy terrace after all?), guests can enjoy Nobu’s Stingless Bee Margarita. The twist on the classic comes served on the rocks, with a tropical mixture of Rooster Rojo Tequila with honey liquor, peach, coconut and Mediterranean citrus. Pair that with the Crispy Rice with Avocado or the signature sashimi, and you’re in for a good time!
4. Find out what happens when you mix steak and tequila
What do you get when an open-fire steakhouse (aka temper) and a tequila brand (Cazcabel) collaborate for National Tequila Day? A special week-long celebration of tacos of course! They’ve paired three unique tacos with three of Cazcabel’s agave offerings, to bring out the flavours and complexities of each. Temper is also serving up three special tequila cocktails for the occasion, on top of their already stunning (and delightfully boozy) selection.
The special menu is available from July 24-29 at temper’s Soho, Covent Garden, Shoreditch, and City locations.
5. Get the party started with a Verdita shot
We’ve probably all had a pickle back shot by now – the pickle juice works wonders to neutralize the spiky notes of a bourbon shot. It’s a shot that unites bourbon lovers and haters alike. But, wait, I thought this was an article about tequila? Oh, it is, don’t you worry. Because the Red Hand, a craft beer destination in Dalston, has come up with a delicious tequila version of the pickleback: a Tequila Verdita. Except for this, they replace the pickle juice with a delicious combination of pineapple, mint, coriander, sorrel, lime, and jalapeño. It’s fruity, refreshing, slightly spicy, and the perfect contrast to the tequila shot that precedes it. Once you’ve had one, you’ll be telling everyone about it.
6. Slurp down this secretive limited-edition drink
One of London’s most stylish, and unsuspecting, bars has a special treat for National Tequila Day. Discount Suit Company, a delightful dive bar meets speakeasy, has a special drink that will be on the menu for less than two weeks. The Benkei highlights the bar’s unique approach to drinks, with a wholly unexpected tequila cocktail. Mixing up rose, raspberry, and pink pepper with Japanese Saké and Patrón Silver, it’s aromatic and floral and completely unexpected.
If you want something a little different to the rest of the city’s tequila cocktail offerings, head here. But act fast, because the drink will be taken off the menu on July 31.
7. Chill out with some of the frozen stuff
Arguably the most popular tequila cocktail – yes, even more popular than the margarita – is the burgeoningly popular Paloma. The sinfully delicious, and wonderfully simple, drink is simply a mixture of tequila and grapefruit soda (at its simplest). But it surpasses its simplicity and becomes a wonderful summer drink that’s as easy to make at home as it is to enjoy in a bar. Notting Hill’s terrace-side Mexican Japanese fusion restaurant, Los Mochis, has an ace up its sleeve when it comes to the omnipresent drink. They’ve only gone and frozen it!
Perfect for the warmer weather, or at least for dreaming about the return of the warmer weather, it runs drinkers just £8.50. And, even better, during their Frozen Paloma Happy Hour you can get two for the price of one, between 5-7pm from Monday to Thursday. Meet you there on Monday?
8. Turbo-charge your drink
For a drink that amps you up with an electric buzz, head to the seductive environs of the Eve Bar. There, a special drink awaits tequila fans as part of their new ‘Technique’ menu. The Rocket Fuel cocktail is sure to put some fire in your step with its mix of Patron Silver, zero-waste kimchi, and chilli. Don’t be fooled by its sweet appearance – this drink isn’t here to mess around!
9. Transport yourself to the beach
Over by the waterside in Canary Wharf, a beachside paradise is waiting to whisk you away to tropical climes. The Sipping Room by Drake & Morgan x Casamigos Summer Terrace is decked out with beach huts, foliage and flowers everywhere, and plenty of refreshing drinks. Courtesy of Casamigos, drinks such as the Spiced Pineapple Margarita, the Tequila Spritz or the Frozen Strawberry Dream are simply waiting to entice you. Find out more here.
And now, with a head full of options, and an empty stomach, we say unto you: go forth and consume agave!