tentenBars are closed and Comi-Con 2020 will be a virtual reality this year. But if there’s any consolation to be found here, it’s that National Tequila Day falls on July 24. So even if the streets of San Diego are empty, you can still let your freak flag fly from home and celebrate the beloved spirit from across the border. Whether you’re ordering in, mixing it up or like a sparkle in your blue agave, we’ve got you covered.
Eat and Drink
Lanea in Santa Monica has reopened its doors in time for their first anniversary with a new cruise-up takeout option featuring cocktails and tacos for pickup, expanded outdoor dining and meal packages for takeout or delivery. To celebrate their return, this beachy Santa Monica cocktail bar and restaurant is launching an all-day Taco & Tequila Happy Hour with $2 tacos and $9 cocktails daily throughout the summer and additional specials for National Tequila Day. The spirit-driven cocktail bar has an extensive variety of more than 400 mezcals and tequilas.
Summer menu additions include the Third Street Sling made with Hibiscus Patron Tequila, fresh lemon, passionfruit, pineapple, and the Jungle Bird Scooter with Vida Mezcal, fresh lemon, ginger, Campari. Also available are signature canned cocktails like a paloma made with The Chainsmokers’ JAJA Tequila containing grapefruit tonic and aperol, or the margarita with Cazadores tequila, fresh lime, demerara and orange liqueur.
Tacos and tequila to go (Courtesy Lanea_
Sparklers
Azulana can easily be your go-to beverage that doesn’t require any additional mixing or preparation. The brand also has a substantial CSR program, committing 8 percent of profits to nonprofit initiatives in Mexico that support the farmers/jimadors and their families.
Azulana from Pure Azul is a beverage made with 100 percent blue agave tequila and sparkling soda. Recently launched out of Los Angeles and produced in Jalisco, Mexico, Azulana comes in three flavors — original, lime and pineapple rosemary — in 12-ounce cans. They’re 4.3 percent ABV, 145 calories and is gluten free.
Onda, the brain child of actress Shay Mitchell, is also a new spirits brand that offers a line of premium canned sparkling tequila using blanco tequila and real fruit juice. The beverages come in grapefruit and lime flavors with a 5 percent ABV, 100 calories, and zero sugars and carbs. According to the co-founders, inspiration was drawn from the fashion and surf style of the ’90s and all that is beachy.
Tequila To Go
Party Can Triple Spice Margarita claims to be first-ever large format, ready-to-drink craft cocktail with 12 full-sized margaritas in one resealable can. The resealable can helps to limit contact between bartender and sipper making it easy to have a spirited indulgence with friends sheltering-in-place together or hosting a socially distant picnic in the park. Made with 100 percent blue weber agave tequila, premium orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and a triple spice mix of ginger, cinnamon and chili pepper, just chill, shake and serve. It is available online for $29.99.
The Party Can
Golden Eagle Spirits, from celebrated bar chef Christiaan Rollich, feature two handcrafted tequila cocktails made to order for pickup or delivery — the classic margarita or a Cortez made with tequila, fresh lime juice, bitters and house-made cola.
Mix Your Own
Piña Para La Niña
- Serrano chile
- 1 ½ oz. Cazadores Reposado
- 3/4 oz. agave nectar
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 3 slices of serrano
- 2 oz. pineapple juice to salt the rim
Shake vigorously and serve on the rocks in a 12 oz. margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and pineapple slice.
Picosita
- Chile Habanero
- 1 ½ oz. Cazadores Reposado
- 3/4 oz. agave nectar or simple syrup
- 4 chunks of cantaloupe, muddled
- 2 slices of chile habanero
- 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
In a cocktail shaker, muddle cantaloupe and combine all the ingredients with ice. Shake, serve and garnish with a slice of habanero.
1800 Silver Summer Sangria
- 1 oz. 1800 Silver
- 3 oz. rosé
- .25 oz. fresh lime juice
- .5 oz. simple syrup
- 3 cubes watermelon
Muddle watermelon, shake and strain over ice cubes in a stemless wine glass. Top with rosé and stir gently to combine. Garnish with cucumber-wrapped inner glass and watermelon slice.