The Best Non-Alcoholic Tequila Drink Recipes
The summertime is upon us once again, and nothing helps temper the balmy weather like a refreshing tequila cocktail. Whether you favor the classics like margaritas and daiquiris, or you want to shake things up with a Mexican Mule, nothing hits the spot quite the same. Unless, of course, you're sticking with non-alcoholic options.
It used to be that if you weren't imbibing, you had limited options. Hope you like soda and Arnie Palmers, because that was about the extent of the alcoholic-free menu. But in the 21st century, we have alternatives.
Non-alcoholic tequilas, like our own Durangold, Non-alcoholic Tequila Alternative, allow you to enjoy the same slate of classic cocktails as your companions, but without the hangover the next day.
To see how this is possible, let's look at what goes into non-alcoholic tequila, and how you can use it to craft a sublime alcohol-free tequila drink recipe.
How Can You Make Tequila Drinks Without Alcohol?
Among spirits, tequila has something of a special reputation. Part of that comes from its ancient history. The earliest ancestor of modern tequila was made from the fermented sap of the agave plant. And it's thought that this libation dates back to the Aztecs of northern Mexico, around the year 1000 BC.
But besides being ancient, tequila is also valued for the amount of craftsmanship that goes into each bottle. Tending to agave plants is no small labor. Particularly the blue agave that true tequila must be made from.
Many artisans come from generations of practice. So it might be reasonable to ask, how is a tequila-inspired non-alcoholic beverage even possible?
For starters, we look to the old masters for inspiration. Tequila makers are not mere manufacturers. Nor are they only skilled craftspeople, true though that accolade may be.
As much as anything, they're stewards of their lands. And that relationship with the earth is something we can relate to as part of what we do at Seir Hill is working to help preserve America's pastoral lands and those that tend them.
In that capacity, we find the purpose to be better stewards while striving to deliver a top-shelf product to our consumers. The two goals are not separate but integral to one another.
Having explained how we create a top-shelf tequila substitute, let's mix some drinks already.
Our Most Popular Tequila Inspired Durangold Recipes
1. The Durangold Margarita, with a Dash of Mint
Nothing is as emblematic of tequila culture as the classic Margarita. Yet no one seems to agree on the origins of the iconic cocktail.
The popular tale attributes it to bartender Carlos “Danny” Herrera in 1938. As the story goes, he was awestruck by a beautiful patron one day and was inspired to invent the drink in her honor.
But per the research of The Smithsonian Institute, the first importer of Jose Cuervo was already using the tagline “Margarita: it’s more than a girl’s name” for their product by 1945. Considering the short time between the drink’s alleged invention and a national advertising campaign, there’s no consensus on its origin.
Whatever the case, the drink would go on to become synonymous with tequila.
Hence why the Durangold Margarita was among the first tequila inspired cocktails without alcohol that we devised. Our original non-alcoholic Margarita is designed to emulate the classic lime cocktail on the rocks we all know and love. But a simple variation to spice up this traditional drink involves adding a dash of mint.
2. The Virgin Bloody Maria
The Bloody Mary is a staple cocktail that no brunch would be complete without. It's said to have been invented just over a hundred years ago at the fabled Harry's Bar in Paris. And it's easy to imagine Ernest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald nursing one of these after a hard night out the evening before.
Of course, everyone knows that the classic morning pick-me-up is a vodka concoction. Less famous is its Mexican cousin, the Bloody Maria.
For those of us whose tastes lie south of the border, the Bloody Maria is an excellent choice to add a little extra flavor to this staple cocktail. And by replacing conventional tequila with Durangold, it becomes an alcohol-free way to add a little extra vitamin C to the breakfast table and enjoy a delicious cocktail at the same time.
3. The Tequila Old Fashioned
As far as named cocktails go, The Old Fashioned is among the oldest and most venerated drinks. Perhaps only the classic martini gives it any competition. And like the margarita, its exact origins are a mystery, though most sources trace them to the mid-to-late 19th century.
It's such a standard of barrooms and lounges worldwide that fiddling with the recipe would probably draw charges of heresy from traditionalists. All the same, some daring mixologists sought to reinvent it by swapping whiskey for tequila.
We've already devised a non-alcoholic version of the classic Old Fashioned. As a rule, creating a satisfying non-alcoholic version of a drink that's supposed to be about 80% liquor would be a challenge. But our Mashville whiskey substitute makes that mighty task possible.
And now, our Durangold likewise lets you add a Mexican twist to an American classic.
4. Batanga Tequila Mocktail
The Batanga isn't a cocktail you'll probably see ordered very often in the United States. It is, however, quite popular down in Mexico, where bar patrons have been ordering this lesser-known libation since the 1950s.
It's credited to one Don Javier Delgado Corona, who ran a small cantina called La Capilla in the town of Tequila, appropriately enough. The drink is sometimes dismissed as an offshoot of the Cuba Libre. And indeed, the two drinks share many ingredients in common.
What makes the Batanga special is how differently those ingredients play with tequila instead of rum.
6. Durangold Sunset
The tequila sunrise is another key tequila cocktail. And like many other classic cocktails, its history is a bit hazy. One wonders if these bartenders and historians were imbibing too many of the cocktails in question.
The most common account posits that they were invented at the historic Arizona Biltmore, one of the southwest premier destinations during the golden age of cafe culture, back during the 1930s or 1940s.
This original cocktail was a rather hearty mix of tequila, creme de cassis, lime juice, and soda water. Not necessarily the sort of thing you might drink in the Mojave desert.
Hence why in the 70s a more refreshing version was invented in Salusito, California. When the reinterpretation of the cocktail was served to the Rolling Stones at a private party, they were so taken with it that it became the unofficial drink of the band for a time. And with their seal of approval, the tequila sunrise became a modern classic.
Why Non-Alcoholic Spirits?
Since non-alcoholic spirits are becoming such a phenomenon, it's reasonable to ask why they're so popular these days. While everyone's preferences are unique, here are some of the top reasons why people are choosing to forgo alcohol:
Health Benefits
It's no secret that alcohol can lead to some pretty unfavorable side effects, especially when consumed regularly or in excess. Some notable problems include liver damage, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Getting drunk puts a lot of stress on the body, so doing it often can take years off a person's life.
Fortunately, your body can process the spirit just fine without a hangover or other impairment. So, people want the fun of cocktails and beer without negative consequences.
Flexibility
With non-alcoholic spirits, you can have your favorite cocktail any time, anywhere. You may have to notify people that your beverage is alcohol-free, but otherwise, you have the freedom to drink whenever you like. This flexibility makes it much easier to consume non-alcoholic spirits, so people are more inclined to partake.
Socializing Without Worry
Drinking at a party can be somewhat risky, especially if it's a work-related event. One too many cocktails, and you might do something embarrassing. With non-alcoholic spirits, you can drink to your heart's content while maintaining control over your actions. Now, you can drink at all kinds of parties, from kids' birthdays to office get-togethers and more. Better yet, you don't have to feel like you're missing out by avoiding drinks altogether. Instead, you can be part of the crowd without the risk of getting too tipsy.
These Are Only a Taste of Non-Alcoholic Tequila Drink Recipes
If you’re looking for more recipes featuring Durangold or our other non-alcoholic spirits, see our mocktail recipes.
Just because you've decided to cut your alcohol intake doesn't mean you can't enjoy a fine tequila mocktail. With a quality substitute like Durangold, you can enjoy an alcohol-free libation without sacrificing the flavors and aromas of natural agave.
All of this is possible thanks to our commitment to quality. From humble beginnings based out of an 18th-century barn, our dedication allowed us to blossom into a premier alcohol-free bottle brand. To learn more about the journey that led us to that lofty position, check out the Sier Hill story.
