Like several celebrities before her, notably George Clooney, the Rock, and Kendall Jenner, Texas girl Eva Longoria jumped on the tequila bandwagon in 2021. She is co-owner of Casa Del Sol, a luxurious, award-winning ultra-premium tequila. Founded by Longoria and two tequila scions, Alejandra Pelayo, "protégé and goddaughter" of Patron creator Francisco Alcaraz and Mariana Padilla, daughter of Jalisco's own Paco Padilla.
Casa Del Sol tequila is uniquely aged in heritage Cognac barrels made of French Limousin Oak in partnership with the Martell family and using only the finest 100% Blue Weber agave. With a vision to redefine the tequila category, Casa Del Sol tastefully brings together aesthetic design, sustainability, social change and quality. The 100% Mexican-owned distillery proudly has been awarded the ESR distinction for sustainability and social responsibility. Each bottle of Casa Del Sol is inspired by the golden hour of the setting sun and the legend of Mayahuel, the Goddess of Tequila.
Although Longoria prefers to sip her tequila neat, this recipe for a classic espresso martini is sure to spice up any holiday celebration.
EspresSOL Martini
Ingredients
1.5 oz Casa Del Sol Reposado Tequila
1.5 oz Chilled Espresso
.5 oz Demerara Syrup
+1 small pinch of Sea Salt
Instructions
Combine Casa Del Sol Reposado Tequila, chilled espresso, a pinch of salt and Demerara syrup in a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a cocktail coupe
Garnish with three coffee beans
Spiked Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Ingredients
2 oz Casa Del Sol Reposado or Blanco
1oz Premium Espresso
¾ oz Pumpkin Spice Syrup
½ oz Coconut Milk or Oat Milk
Cinnamon garnish
Instructions
Build in shaker over ice and shake
well for 10 seconds. Strain into martini or coupe glass.
Garnish with grated fresh cinnamon or stick
When Longoria created Casa Del Sol, she wanted to think out of the box about tequila recipes and has been experimenting with different flavors and cocktails not typically seen with tequila. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she talked about her love of blueberry margaritas this past summer and has now moved on to winter recipes. “If you put tequila in your Mexican hot chocolate, you will thank me. With that Mexican Abuelita chocolate or the Mayordomo bars that you melt in water, I like to call a Mexican hot toddy. It’s like mulled wine but better,” she says.
Longoria agrees that pumpkin spice lattes are the drink of the season, and now they will be more festive with the addition of tequila. There is nothing like setting the tone for a celebration with a signature cocktail, and the Spiked Pumpkin Spiced Latte is not only beautiful, but tasty.
The Black Manhattan featuring Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon
Ingredients
2 parts Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon
1 part Averna
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass.
Add ice and stir.
Strain into a chilled Cocktail glass.
Garnish with a Brandied Cherry.
A Manhattan is a stylish, timeless drink. The first ever record of a Manhattan cocktail was in 1880 when a newspaper in Olean, New York introduced the recipe as “a mixture of whiskey, vermouth and bitters.” These days, there are so many iterations of the drink that it is more of a category than an actual recipe. The Manhattan is a balance of herbs and grain, spice and fruit, elegance and bite. And one thing is certain, no matter the mixture – there must be bitters. Drinking a Manhattan without bitters is like eating a chicken without seasoning.
The Manhattan, in all its iterations, has survived wars, prohibition, economic upheaval and countless presidencies (it was even bolstered by some administrations). These days, it is a classic addition to any celebration.
The Warwick Breeze by BACARDI.
Ingredients
1.5 oz BACARDI Cuatro
0.5 oz Passion Fruit Syrup
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.25 oz Grenadine
Instructions
Shake and serve over crushed ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and cherries.
An easy crowd pleaser, rum is a versatile spirit. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed with sweet flavors for a delightful cocktail. Although rum cocktails are summertime favorites – mojito or daiquiri, anyone – their flavors lend themselves nicely to Houston’s mild climate.
Espolon Cristallino Tequila served neat
Ingredients
1 part (1.5 oz) served in a Mexican Rocks Glass.
Instructions
We recommend enjoying Espolon Cristalino neat or on the rocks to appreciate the unique character of this minimally filtered Anejo and Extra Anejo Cristalino Tequila.
The best recipes are the ones you know by heart. Simple, easy and straightforward there is no need to reference a phone or book. One caveat to simple drinks is that they need to be made with premium ingredients. High-end tequila is on the rise in the U.S. and the best way to enjoy its complex flavors and elevated structure, is to sip tequila neat.
Tequila experts agree that the spirit should never be sipped over ice because the tongue can become numb, inhibiting the ability to taste the delicate flavor notes. Glassware plays an important role in enjoying tequila, as well. Flutes, tulip and whiskey glasses are all suitable for enjoying the aromas and flavors of a premium tequila.