**Best Tequila Cocktails for a 4th of July Party Celebration

Tequila is the spirit that reminds us of Mexico. It was first made by the Spanish conquistadores in Mexico, in the early 16th century, from the agave plant. When you mention tequila, most people think one of two thoughts : margaritas or drinking straight shots after licking with salt and sucking lemons or limes. But tequila is so much more versatile than that. Tequila cocktails are perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. Tequila cocktails bring to mind the hot Mexican climate, and may even bring you back to that "Spring Break" week in Cancun some years back [the details of which you probably forgot, due to too much tequila-drinking] Tequila is celebrated in popular songs, most notably the classic by the Champs [named "Tequila"], "Tequila Sunrise" by the Eagles, and Jimmy Buffet's anthem "Margaritaville".

Here are some of the best tequila cocktails to serve your guests this 4th of July:

• First I bring you the basic 1960s Margarita
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  • 1 1/2 oz. tequila
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  • 1/2 oz cointreau
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  • 1 tbsp lime juice

Shake over cracked ice. Take chilled stemmed cocktail glasses [or preferably margarita glasses] and rub the rims with salt before pouring drinks. Easy way to salt the glass: put coarse salt on a paper towel on a flat surface, rub the rim with a lemon wedge, and then place the glass upside down on the salt.

• Updated version
  • 1 1/2 oz tequila
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  • 1 1/2 oz sweet-and-sour mix
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  • 1/2 oz triple sec [or cointreau, grand marnier, or any orange-flavored liqueur]

BEYOND THE MARGARITA -- Other Tequila Cocktails

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• The ever-popular Tequila Sunrise
  • 4 oz orange juice
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  • 2 oz tequila
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  • 1/2 oz grenadine
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  • orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Make sure you pour the juice and tequila into the [highball] glass first. Mix, then pour grenadine in slowly along the inside edge of the glass. The grenadine will rise to the top, giving it the look of a sunrise [hence the name].

• Did you know you could make a martini with tequila? It's called a "Tequini" and it's a drier cocktail. Use blanco [white] tequila.

• 2 1/2 oz blanco tequila
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• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
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• dash Angostura bitters
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• olive or lemon twist for garnish

Pour the tequila, vermouth, and bitters into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive or lemon rwist.

• If you like a bloody Mary, try a Bloody Maria

• 2 oz tequila
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• 1 tsp horseradish
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• 3 dashes tabasco sauce
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• 3 dashes worcestershire sauce
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• dash lime juice
• 3 dashes celery salt
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• 3 dashes pepper
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• tomato juice
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• clamato juice [optional]

Pour ingredients, in order given, into a highball glass, over ice cubes. Mix by pouring from one glass to another. Garnish with celery stalks or lemon twists.

For some really creative decorations for your table and drinks, you might want to order a pinata or two from The Pinata Store.com.

And check out Oriental Trading, where you will find lots of Fourth of July, as well as Mexican decorations.

Here are some other cool sites for decorations

• Amols.com sombreros, pinatas, and more
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• El Chamaco.com runners, sombreros, maracas
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• Mi Fiesta.com for little Mexican flag toothpicks you can use for finger food

Here are the sources I used for drink recipes:

• cocktail.com
• About.com cocktail guide
  

Feliz 4 Julio! Feliz Día de Independencia!!