tequila - Girl & Tonic

Campari To-Kill-Ya | A Campari & Tequila Cocktail

by corrie.pennington / May 11, 2020

Campari To-Kill-Ya Cocktail | A Campari and Tequila Cocktail perfect for summer. | Bright, refreshing, and not too sweet.

I am so stoked to share this Campari To-Kill-Ya cocktail recipe today. If you’ve been following me for the last month or so, you’re aware of my mission to make myself love Campari. My feelings have gone from despise –> tolerate –> like –> really enjoy –> love. It’s been an experiment to see if one can acquire an acquired taste. I’m happy to report that you can.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like!

In case you don’t know what Campari is, it’s a super bitter/funky red liqueur. Drinks with Campari usually take on its signature red hue, making them look deceptively sweet. But that’s typically far from the truth. I think this one of the reasons I wanted to like this liqueur. I’m usually not a fan of sweet cocktails so I was intrigued by this alcohol that seemed to be the antithesis of all things sweet & fruity.

Campari To-Kill-Ya Cocktail | A Campari and Tequila Cocktail perfect for summer. | Bright, refreshing, and not too sweet. | Summer cocktails

Trying Campari in a variety of cocktails is what helped me start to notice and appreciate its nuances. It’s been fun to see how it plays with other flavors, like pineapple juice, mint, & lime, and other liquors like gin, rum, and tequila.

The first Campari cocktail I made was a Negroni because it is THE classic Campari cocktail. I really didn’t like it. Then I made a Boulevardier and tolerated it. Not long after, I saw the recipe for a Gin Campari Sour and I really liked it. The simple syrup and egg white really helped smooth over the rough edges of the gin, Campari, & lemon juice. It was fun. Next, I made a [few] Americanos and truly enjoyed them. The cocktail that made me LOVE Campari??? Well, that recipe’s coming soon. Maybe this week, maybe next. It’s a little more complicated and I need to restock one of the ingredients but WOOF.

Now that I love Campari, I’m on a new mission: try as many Campari recipes at I can. I remembered I had saved a Campari and tequila cocktail on my Instagram a while back. Armed with my newly-enlightened tastebuds, I was ready to try this drink. I would NOT have thought that Campari and tequila could go together, but Julianna McIntosh’s recipe convinced me to give it a shot.

Julianna is the creative genius behind the cocktail recipes at Bringing It Home and she also has an Instagram account, Join Jules. You can find the original post for her recipe here. The photos alone are eye candy and she really seems to have a knack for creating original recipes. She’s also got a recipe for a Mezcal Negroni. Oh my garsh. Smoky mezcal… bitter Campari… bright orange… I think I’m salivating. I’m going to have to try that recipe soon.

If you love Campari already, I really think you’re going to enjoy this Campari To-Kill-Ya recipe. If you’re on the fence about it, try it out anyway. The bitterness of the Campari really ends up making the orange & lime juice taste grapefruit-y. It’s very enjoyable. Bright, refreshing, and a touch boozy.

Julianna’s original recipe calls for monk fruit simple syrup, which is made the same way regular simple syrup is made, just with monk fruit granulated sugar instead of white sugar. I don’t have monk fruit sugar so I just used regular and the recipe still came out divine.

Ingredients for a Campari To-Kill-Ya

1 1/2 oz tequila
3/4 oz Campari
3/4 oz fresh lime juice (fresh is always best–prove me wrong)
1/2 oz fresh orange juice (ditto above)
1/2 oz monk fruit simple syrup or regular simple syrup
6-10 mint leaves, + more for garnish
Sparkling water or club soda (I used club soda and the trace amount of salt really played up the flavors, IMO)

How To Make a Campari To-Kill-Ya

Add tequila, Campari, & mint leaves to a cocktail shaker and muddle until the leaves are bruised. Add ice, lime juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well. Strain to a lowball glass filled with ice. Top off with the club soda.

tequila

Blood Orange Tequila Fizz | An Easy 2 Ingredient Cocktail

by corrie.pennington / May 2, 2020

This Blood Orange Tequila Fizz is so easy, I feel silly making a recipe post about it. But then, again a blog post is probably the best way to spread good news quickly across the internet. I’m not lying when I say that it’s a 2 ingredient cocktail. Of course, you can jazz it up more and feel real fancy and proud of yourself. But when your kid wants to keep playing in the hot Texas sun well into the evening, sometimes you gotta grab something quick.

But I need to be a little more forthcoming with you– this is only going to be 2 ingredients if you can find blood orange Italian soda. My beloved H-E-B has a store brand called Central Market and they make several Italian sodas. Some are seasonal and some are available year-round. These Italian sodas are my favorite ways to make quick and easy cocktails. This certainly won’t be the last cocktail recipe you see me making with one here on Girl & Tonic.

One of the easiest cocktails at home is Girl & Tonic's version of a Blood Orange Tequila Fizz. It's only 2 INGREDIENTS, people! Blood orange Italian soda is what makes this cocktail so easy. But if you can't find it, use the secondary recipe that utilizes blood orange juice.

A quick note about H-E-B for all you non-Texans out there. H-E-B is a Texas-based grocery store chain that is known for having great prices, amazing customer service, and being extremely involved in the community. I mean, H-E-B mobilized faster than the freakin’ American Red Cross during Hurricane Harvey. That’s right. Our local grocery store chain sent out relief trucks, set up mobile kitchens, and donated tens of thousands of dollars. The stories of how HEB rallied around the communities devastated by Harvey (when they lost over 80 stores themselves) STILL makes me tear up. I guess I’m a Texan through and through.

This Blood Orange Tequila Fizz is another easy 2 ingredient cocktail. It's made using blood orange Italian soda. But don't worry, if you can't find it, I have an alternate recipe utilizing fresh blood orange juice that's still really easy.

If you’re unlucky enough to live beyond H-E-B’s reach, like most of America and even some of Texas (sorry Mom & Dad), Sanpellegrino makes a blood orange Italian soda and so does Bai.

If you’re using a blood orange Italian soda, there’s no need to add syrup or any sweetener because the soda already has it. If you can’t find any blood orange Italian sodas, don’t worry– you can still make a Blood Orange Tequila Fizz. In place of the Italian soda, you can always use fresh blood orange juice.

To make this blood orange Italian soda cocktail without the blood orange Italian soda, you’ll need :

2-3 oz. of freshly-squeezed blood orange juice
1 oz of simple syrup
sparkling water of some sort– I would suggest using unsweetened mandarin sparkling water to boost the orange flav, but lime or lemon would work beautifully, too.

If you’re going the easy, 2 ingredient route and you find yourself with extra energy to spare after pouring & stirring the tequila and blood orange Italian soda together, you can add a squeeze of fresh orange juice if you have it or garnish with some basil or mint. There’s something about a garnished cocktail that just tastes better than a plain one.

Also garnishing my drink helps me remember that it’s a cocktail and not juice and should therefore not be chugged even though it tastes so dang good. A garnish is like a visual reminder to slow down & savor.

With Cinco de Mayo coming up in a few days, this easy cocktail is a great non-Margarita option. I do enjoy a good margarita, but sometimes I wanna feel a little nontraditional. You feel me?

So cheers to an easy 2 ingredient cocktail, cheers to it being May, and cheers to H-E-B–the world’s best grocery store.

The Ingredients for a Blood Orange Tequila Fizz

1 1/2 – 2 oz tequila blanco
3 – 5 oz blood orange Italian soda (Central Market brand or Sanpellegrino)

How to Make a Blood Orange Tequila Fizz

Add ice to a lowball (or highball!) glass. Pour in tequila. Pour in blood orange Italian soda. Stir. Garnish with an orange slice and basil as a visual reminder to slow down & savor.

Looking for another easy cocktail? Check out the Dark & Stormy, a Moscow Mule, or a Gimlet.

tequila

Spicy Basil Margarita | A Simple & Spicy Cocktail with Kashmiri Chili Powder

by corrie.pennington / April 21, 2020

Spicy Basil Margarita with Kashmiri Chili Powder is the best drink for summer. It's bright, refreshing, with a little kick to it. If you've never had a spicy cocktail before, give it a try.

This Spicy Basil Margarita is easy to make and perfect for summer. It’s finally warming up in central Texas (after an unseasonably cool spring) and that means Margarita season is beginning. Actually, I think it’s always Margarita season in the south. But whether you still have snow on the ground, like my friend Laura at We Galavant The Globe, or whether you’ve been sweating for weeks now, this Spicy Basil Margarita is sure to hit the spot.

This is going to sound very un-Texan of me, but I have to be in the right mood for a Margarita. I’m always down for one at a Mexican restaurant or when lounging at a pool. But casually sipping on one in the living room? Never really had that craving. Until I was thinking about a way to utilize my new Kashmiri chili powder that my friend brought me back from South Africa. How could I utilize this exotic spice? Then I realized I have yet to post a Margarita recipe on Girl & Tonic so I knew I had to make a spicy Margarita recipe for sure.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product/service or sign up via my affiliate link, I would receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love and believe in.

If you don’t have Kashmiri chili powder, you can use tajin (yo, Texans- I know you have access to this) or regular chili powder. Kashmiri powder is used more commonly for its color than its heat, but it does have some heat to it and a really beautiful flavor. Its spiciness falls between mild paprika and fiery cayenne. I used 2 pinches in my Spicy Basil Margarita and then dusted some on top. You can also rim your glass with it. I opted for a swatch because it looks artsy. I got the Kashmiri chili powder to stay exactly where I wanted it by using agave syrup and then ~~sprinkling~~ dumping the chili powder over it.

Now, maybe the thought of a spicy cocktail is a new concept to you or maybe you’re already a fan. If you’re the former, I challenge you to try this Spicy Basil Margarita. It’s fresh and bright with a little kick to it. It’s not going to light your mouth on fire, I promise. (Well, not unless you’re a total spice wimp… I once knew a girl whose eyes watered when she put black pepper on her food. How..?) You can always taste as you go and add more to your liking. You might be surprised by how much you can actually handle.

Spicy food releases endorphins and dopamine, your “pleasure” and “reward” sensations, which is why you often can’t stop eating- or drinking- something spicy. Your mouth is feeling the burn, but your brain is translating the consumption of the spicy substance as a rewarding experience, so you are compelled to consume more. Your Brain on Capsaicin is an in-depth science-y article that goes into more detail about the science behind spicy foods. In fact, I was today years old when I found out that we don’t actually have tastebuds associated with “spiciness”. Yeah. You should read that article.

While we’re talking about food science, let’s chat about adding sweeteners to spicy Margaritas. This may sound crazy, but adding agave or simple syrup into a spicy Margarita doesn’t make it sweeter– it actually makes it taste spicier. Yeah. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s true and there’s science to prove it. Jess Dang wrote an informative article called A Study of Flavor Profiles. If you don’t have time to read the article, check out this helpful infographic from it:

Spicy and sweet flavors bring balance to one another and create a more dynamic flavor. Then take into account that this Spicy Basil Margarita also has the sour flavor going on with the lime juice. Wow. Talk about flavor dynamics.

Honestly, when I first made this cocktail, I only put a splash of agave in. I didn’t want it to be too sweet, after all. I tasted it. Good. I took some photos. I added more Kashmiri chili powder. Tasted again, and yet it didn’t taste much spicier. Then I remembered reading the aforementioned article a few days ago and doubled the amount of agave. Tasted again. BOOM. Instantly spicier and richer.

If for no other reason, make this cocktail as a science experiment and see if me and Jess Dang are right. Or leave out the chili powder & basil and enjoy a classic Margarita.

Ingredients for a Spicy Basil Margarita

1 1/2 oz tequila (blanco is traditionally used for Margs but you can certainly use reposado)
1 oz triple sec/orange liqueur
3/4 oz fresh lime juice (freshly-squeezed makes all the difference)
1/3 oz agave nectar (or simple syrup)
small handful of fresh basil leaves
Kashmiri chili powder (or other chili powder)

How To Make a Spicy Basil Margarita

For rimming your glass: Rub a juicy lime wedge around the top rim of a glass. Fill a place or shallow bowl with either chili powder, salt, or a combination of the two. Dip the rim in the spice. Fill with ice.

Add the tequila and basil leaves to an empty cocktail shaker. Using a muddle or the back of a spoon, muddle the basil leaves until they’re bruised. Then add ice, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave, and 1-2 pinches of chili powder to the cocktail shaker. Shake well. Taste and see if you want more spice. Strain into your Margarita glass (or a lowball glass or a Solo cup or a mug for all I care). I’m partial to my super cute cactus Margarita glasses that I THOUGHT were a vintage at a thrift store but joke’s on me ’cause they’re from Dollar Tree. There are some really similar ones on Amazon, too.

tequila

Passionfruit Paloma w/ Beet Syrup

by corrie.pennington / February 7, 2020

– Easily make this cocktail a mocktail by skipping the tequila. –

Passionfruit Paloma made with tequila reposado, grapefruit juice, sparkling passionfruit water, and beet simple syrup.

I’ve never been a big fan of a Paloma but this Passionfruit Paloma may have redeemed them. I like tequila and I like grapefruit soda, but putting together in a cocktail leaves me… grossed out. The last time I had one was in a casino in Reno. I lived in The Biggest Little City for a span (absolutely loved it) and had been raving to my friend about being able to get free drinks in the casinos. She came in town & off we went with $40 in hand.

Turns out, drinks aren’t free when you order them from the bar. I ordered us both a Paloma, because what was I thinking?, and they were awful. We hunkered down at the Blackjack table to drink our disgusting drinks because we paid for those dang things. But not all was lost. I mean that both figuratively & literally– we each hung on to twenty-five cents.

A traditional Paloma has tequila, grapefruit soda (like Fresca or Jarritos), and lime juice. I opted for grapefruit juice to bring that flavor upfront. I still needed to get that fizz from somewhere and I found it in the perfect form of unsweetened passionfruit sparkling water. The beet syrup brings a hint of earthy sweetness to the drink and imparts the stunning color.

Don’t be intimidated by the beet syrup. I got a huge bag of beet powder from Walmart for under $10. Beet powder is great for upping the antioxidant power of smoothies and for dying baked goods a range of pink shades. I recently used it to dye the icing of my daughter’s vanilla birthday cake. Only one party guest asked what the icing was flavored with, and he guessed cinnamon, so I’d say that it won’t make your recipes too beet-y. I’m not entirely health & wellness conscious but if I have the option to use something artificial or natural, I’m gonna opt for natural.

If you’re looking to make a *small* investment in your barware, consider buying a giant ice cube mold. A bigger ice cube is going to melt slower and make your drink a little colder. Plus they look cool & profesh.

The Ingredients for a Passionfruit Paloma

1 1/2 oz. tequila reposado (skip this & make a great mocktail)
1 oz. grapefruit juice
1/2 oz. beet simple syrup
unsweetened passionfruit sparkling water (Aldi’s PurAqua Belle Vie brand is fantastic)
slice of grapefruit of lemon to garnish

How to Make a Passionfruit Paloma

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, tequila, grapefruit juice, & beet syrup. Shake well to combine. Pour into a low-ball glass with ice. Top off with your passionfruit sparkling water. Alternatively, you can “float” the syrup for a more layered effect but honestly, the taste is more uniform if you shake it with the other ingredients.

Passionfruit Paloma with Beet Syrup

A unique twist on the Paloma, this Passionfruit Paloma uses passionfruit sparkling water in place of grapefruit soda and beet simple syrup to sweeten it up.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 mins

Course Drinks

Servings 1

Ingredients

1½ oz tequila (skip this to make a mocktail)
1 oz grapefruit juice
½ oz beet simple syrup (see note for recipe)
2+ oz passionfruit sparkling water (unsweetened)

Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, tequila, grapefruit juice, & beet syrup.
Shake well to combine.
Pour into a lowball glass with ice.
Top off with your passionfruit sparkling water.

Notes

Check out the easy recipe for beet simple syrup here.

Keyword beet, grapefruit juice, paloma, sparkling water

vodka

Effortless Jam Cocktail & Mocktail | An Easy 3 Minute Drink Using Ingredients You Already Have on Hand

by corrie.pennington / January 28, 2020

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail is a game-changer. It’s easy to whip up in a moment’s notice and feels very fancy. The best part is, you’ll probably always have the ingredients on hand– who doesn’t have a jar or three of random jelly, jam, or preserves hiding in the back of the fridge? And if you actually do go out to grab a new jar, you’ll find soo many inspiring possibilities.

Blueberry preserves, raspberry jalapeno jam, ORANGE MARMALADE, mango habanero, and of course the classic strawberry and grape. Did you know that there’s such a thing as mint jelly? Yeah. That rocked my world, too. Add a spoonful of jam into any mixed drink and you’ve upped the flavor complexity.

Jam cocktails are so customizable. Want something refreshing and light? Add sparkling water. Feeling like a strong drink? Skip it & pour everything into a coupe or martini glass. Don’t feel like imbibing? Forgo the alcohol and enjoy sipping on something besides water. Mocktails require no thought when you know the secret about jam + tonic. And all the pregnant ladies said BLESS.

Flavor Combinations to Try

Need some flavor inspo? Here are some ideas to get you started:

gin + blackberry jam + lemon juice + basil + tonic water
vodka + apricot preserves + lemon juice + mint + lemon sparkling water
tequila + orange marmalade + grapefruit juice + rosemary + club soda
white rum + blueberry jam + lime juice + mint + club soda

An Outline of Ingredients for a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

1 1/2 – 2 oz vodka (or gin, whiskey, rum, or tequila… but vodka has the cleanest profile to work with, meaning it won’t compete with your other flavors)
3/4 oz lemon juice or lime juice – fresh is always best
spoonful of jam
a sprig of a fresh herb – mint & basil pair well with all fruit flavs
tonic water, club soda, or unsweetened flavored sparkling water
[optional- if you like extra sweet drinks] 1/2 oz simple syrup or honey simple syrup

How to Make a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, and the herb. Muddle the herb leaves with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to release the flavor. Add the spoonful of jam and several ice cubes. Shake. Strain into a lowball glass that’s filled with ice. Top off the glass with your tonic or sparkling water. Garnish with any leftover herbs.