Sips & Synopsis

• This Weeks Makings

• Trivia Question

• Drink of the Week - Spicy Pineapple Ranch Water

• Tequila’s Glow-Up

• Bonus Cocktails

• Mocktail Moment - Sparkling Pineapple Lime Cooler

This Weeks Makings.

Cinco de Mayo is almost here.

And while there will be no shortage of margaritas flowing this weekend, there’s a whole world of tequila and mezcal cocktails worth exploring.

This week, we’re going beyond the obvious.

Think smoky. Sparkling. Spicy. Refreshing.

These are the drinks you serve when you want your guests to say, Wait… what is this? right before asking for another.

In this issue:

• Why tequila and mezcal are having a major moment

• How to elevate your Cinco de Mayo menu

• A bold Drink of the Week with heat and fizz

• Two bonus cocktails worth mastering

• A zero-proof option that still brings the party

Trivia Question❓

Which cocktail was created in the 1940s at the legendary King Cole Bar in New York and became one of the first tequila-based cocktails to gain popularity in the U.S.?

A) Margarita
B) Tequila Sunrise
C) El Diablo
D) Paloma

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Spicy Pineapple Ranch Water

Fresh, fizzy, and dangerously drinkable.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila

• 1 oz pineapple juice

• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice

• 0.25 oz jalapeño syrup or agave syrup

• 3 oz sparkling mineral water

Directions

1. Add tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, and syrup to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake until chilled.

3. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.

4. Top with sparkling mineral water.

5. Garnish with lime and a Tajín rim if desired.

Why this drink matters

This cocktail has everything. Bright citrus, tropical sweetness, a little heat, and sparkling refreshment. It’s casual enough for a backyard party but interesting enough to impress.

Tequila’s Glow-Up

For years, tequila had a reputation.

Shots. Salt. Lime. Regret.

But behind the bar, tequila and mezcal have quietly become some of the most exciting spirits to work with.

Tequila can be crisp, peppery, citrusy, or rich depending on how it’s made and aged. Mezcal brings smoke, earth, and depth that can transform even the simplest cocktail.

Bartenders love these spirits because they play well with:

• Fresh citrus

• Spice

• Sparkling mixers

• Coffee and chocolate

• Tropical fruit

That versatility is why tequila cocktails have evolved far beyond the margarita.

If you’re hosting this Cinco de Mayo, stock these basics:

• Good blanco tequila for fresh cocktails

• Mezcal for smoky complexity

• Tajín or chili salt for rimmed glasses

• Fresh limes… always fresh limes

A few tools to level up your bar:

• Citrus press for fresh juice

• Tajín seasoning for rims

• Long drink glasses for tequila cocktails

The best tequila cocktails are bright, balanced, and built to keep the party going.

Bonus Cocktails

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

Smoky and sophisticated.

Ingredients
1.5 oz reposado tequila
0.5 oz mezcal
0.25 oz agave syrup
2 dashes aromatic bitters

Directions
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.

Why it works
Mezcal adds depth while tequila keeps it approachable.

Paloma Royale

Bubbly and elevated.

Ingredients
1.5 oz tequila
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz sparkling wine

Directions
Shake tequila and juices with ice until chilled. Strain into a flute or wine glass and top with sparkling wine.

Why it works
It’s a celebratory twist on a classic Paloma.

Mocktail or Zero Proof Option

Sparkling Pineapple Lime Cooler

Fresh and festive.

Ingredients
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
0.25 oz agave syrup
3 oz sparkling water

Directions

Shake pineapple juice, lime juice, and agave with ice. Strain over fresh ice and top with sparkling water.