7 cocktails to turn your summer into a tequila fest

I’ve decided, without the approval of anyone, to declare the rest of the season as the summer of tequila. Why should this laughter-inciting, dance-inducing, margarita-making libation get only one day a year for celebration? In my eyes, we should have the freedom to cheers the blue-agave-fused liquor every day of the week if we see fit. I’ve rounded up seven delicious drinks for any time of the day, from brunch sipping to late-night slurping. Now, grab your favorite margarita and clink your glass to making every sticky and sweaty summer day of 2016 devoted to the wonders of tequila!

Blueberry, lime and basil tequila smash recipe

Serves 4 

Ingredients: 

For the blueberry simple syrup: 

• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Dash of salt

For the cocktails: 

• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 18 ounces sparkling grapefruit flavored water
• 1 cup blueberry simple syrup
• Fresh basil leaves
• 4 key limes, cut in half
• 8 ounces Patrón tequila
• Salt for rim
• Ice

Directions:

1. For the simple syrup: Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium-size pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce to low and let simmer for about 15 minutes or until the blueberries pop. Using a mesh strainer, push the mixture through into another bowl, squeezing out as much juice as possible. Pour into a sterilized jar and chill for at least 2 hours.
2. For the cocktails: Dip the rim of 4 chilled glasses into the salt to coat. Add 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries and a few cubes of ice into the bottom of each glass. Top each with 1/4 cup of blueberry simple syrup. Add in 2 ounces of tequila to each glass and stir to combine. Top the remainder of the glasses with flavored water and stir again to combine. Add in fresh limes and basil leaves for garnish.

Check out these other recipes for more tequila-infused inspiration!

These frozen tequila pops blend smooth, pomegranate-flavored tequila with the freshest of summer berries. With the heat of the summer, these boozy pops won’t just cool you down — they’ll give you a buzz at the same time!

This cocktail is for all the boys in our lives who have always said, “Margaritas are girly drinks.” These refreshing beeritas combine beer with limeade, fresh limes and tequila to create the ultimate backyard BBQ drink. Just be weary — these delicious devils are highly addictive!

If you’re in desperate need of a tropical vacation but can’t get away from the office or home, sip on one of these toasted coconut tequila cocktails instead. Each super-creamy sip blends the richness of coconut with the light, natural sweetness of fresh strawberries. It’s a true vacation in a glass.

Forget the standard mojito made with rum and take your favorite summertime drink up a notch with this tequila-infused variety! Blended with fresh watermelon and mint, this variety will make you question every mojito you’ve ever had. Trust us on that.

We’d be remiss not to include at least one margarita on the list, wouldn’t you say? This blended beauty has swirls of blueberry balsamic syrup mixed with a tart cranberry margarita base. It’s what every margarita wants to be when it grows up.

You know what makes any Saturday about a thousand times better? I’ll give you a hint — it’s multi-hued and filled with tequila. This take on a standard tequila sunrise mixes our two favorite spirits together — tequila and champagne. Your summer brunch guests will thank you for adding this to the menu!