These 5 Classic Winter Cocktails Have Been Reinvented Using 1800 Tequila

The cocktail craze continues to take Australia by storm with no sign of slowing down in the near (or distant) future. In search of new and unique flavour combinations, bartenders have been turning their attention toward high-quality tequila. Whilst delicious in its own right, the agave-based spirit blends brilliantly with a variety of ingredients and not just in obvious ways. Indeed, we’ve all enjoyed a classic Margarita or two but what about a lip-smacking Tequila Sour or a Cinnamon-Smoked Tequila Old Fashioned?

Enter leading brand 1800 Tequila and their whopping 200+ years of family tequila distilling experience. Regarding her signature creations, tequila expert Hayley Dixon said, “Winter drinks typically bring warm whiskey cocktails and mulled wine to mind. This winter, we’re showing Aussies how to switch it up when they’re mixing cocktails at home. Tequila is an extremely versatile spirit as you can easily swap it in for the traditional base. The flavour palate of 1800 Silver is great for any gin or vodka drink, switch any styled whisky for 1800 Reposado. 1800 offers a deeper and richer flavour and can be swapped in for a scotch.”

With winter upon us, 1800 Tequila enlisted Proximo Spirits Tequila Specialist Hayley Dixon to reimagine five seasonal cocktail recipes using the popular spirit as a base. Each one strikes a prime balance between flavourful familiarity and bold new terrain. The best part? You can make these show-stopping libations at home for yourself and your closest friends. All you need are some pantry staples along with a trusty selection of 1800 Tequila, which comes available in the following varieties:

• Silver – Made from 100 per cent Weber blue agave and double-distilled, this premium spirit blends a curated selection of white tequilas to cultivate its complex flavour profile and ultra-smooth taste.
• Reposado – Aged for a minimum of six months in American and French Oak barrels, the brand’s Reposado is rich in texture with exquisite notes of caramel, light spice, and a touch of smoke.
• Anejo – This statement spends at least 14 months in French and American Oak barrels, hence its deep notes of vanilla and butterscotch and spicy finish.

5 Winter Cocktail Recipes Using 1800 Tequila

Hayley Dixon puts a clever twist on established classics with the following tequila-based recipes. As you’ll soon discover, the beloved spirit works in so much more than the standard Margarita or Tequila Sunrise. Each recipe uses 1800 Tequila as a base and includes an adjoining “method,” which consists of tips and tricks that will bolster your bartending skills for years to come. Your guests won’t know what hit them!

Here we go:

Tequila Sour

This refreshing cocktail uses tequila in lieu of whiskey and balances spice flavour with a citrus kick.

Ingredients:

• 50ml 1800 Reposado
• 30ml fresh lemon juice
• 15ml simple syrup
• 2 Dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
• Egg White
• Garnish: Angostura Bitters

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with NO ice
2. Hard shake for 15 seconds
3. Fill shaker with ice and hard shake for a following 20 seconds
4. Double strain into a coupe glass
5. Garnish with a few dashes of Angostura Bitters

Jalisco Negroni

Meet your new go-to sundowner, which puts a twist on the classic Negroni.

Ingredients:

• 30ml 1800 Silver
• 30ml Bitter Italian Aperitif
• 30ml Sweet Vermouth
• Garnish: rosemary sprig and charred orange

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice
2. Stir down until combined and chilled
3. Strain into a double rocks glass over ice
4. Garnish with Rosemary sprig and orange slice

Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned

Bring out your inner mixologist with this smoked winter serve, which tastes every bit as fancy as it sounds.

Ingredients:

• 50ml 1800 Anejo
• 10ml Agave Syrup
• 2 Dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
• Garnish: orange zest and grated cinnamon

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice
2. Stir down until combined and chilled
3. Add ice to double rocks glass and stir until glass is cold
4. Tip out ice from double rocks
5. Light tip of cinnamon on a flat plate using a lighter or blow torch and place chilled double rocks glass over the end once it starts smoking
6. Once filled with smoke, flip over and immediately fill the glass with ice again
7. Strain cocktail into glass
8. Garnish with orange zest and a grated cinnamon

Tequila Coffee

A classic whisky staple takes on all the more sweetness when you use tequila instead, and arrives just in time for winter.

Ingredients: 

• 30ml 1800 Silver
• 10ml Pedro Ximenez Sherry
• 10ml Dark Creme de Cacao
• 15ml Coffee Liqueur
• 5ml simple syrup
• 15ml cold drip coffee
• 45ml sweetened vanilla cream*
• Garnish: grated coffee bean

Method:

1. Add all ingredients, minus cream, to a mixing glass filled with ice
2. Stir down until diluted and chilled
3. Single strain into a chilled coupe glass
4. Using a ‘sauce’ bottle, float cream on top of the drink
5. Garnish with grated coffee bean

*Vanilla cream is made by adding thickened cream, sugar cubes, and vanilla extract to a small sauce bottle and shaking for around 30 seconds until light and fluffy

Tequila Toddy

Here’s another warm winter favourite that’s traditionally made with whiskey but equally delicious with tequila. It’s best enjoyed by the fire.

Ingredients:

• 50ml 1800 Reposado
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 10ml honey
• Hot water
• Cinnamon stick
• Garnish: clove-studded lemon wheel

Method:

1. Add honey to a cup with a dash of hot water and stir until combined
2. Add remaining ingredients and top the cup with hot water
3. Leave cinnamon stick to steep until you achieve desired taste
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel with 4-5 clove heads studded through

And there you have it, folks: five classic cocktails reimagined through the use of tequila. The very name pays tribute to the year that the world’s first premium tequila was born, and they haven’t strayed from their original formula or distillation process in the time since their founding. Produced from 100 per cent agave, this liquid goes down smooth and imparts distinctive flavour along the way. Sip it neat or use it as the base in your next signature cocktail—you’ll be glad you did.

The tips and tricks just keep pouring in! Get it? Pouring in? Ahh well, it’s been fun sharing these creative cocktail recipes with you. You can find 1800 Tequila Silver and Reposado, at various participating retailers, including Dan Murphy’s, Vintage Cellars, BWS, and Liquorland. Here’s to all the joy that winter brings. Get mixing!

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