If you're looking for a cocktail with some bite to it, tequila works well as a base. However, for those who don't enjoy the tequila hangover, it's better to use an alcohol alternative. Fortunately, Seir Hill presents Durangold, an alcohol-free tequila with the same flavor notes but without the harsh experience or morning regret. 

While there are many tequila-based cocktails, one of our favorites is the tequila sour. This drink is a play on the traditional whiskey sour and works well for many different occasions. So, get your cocktail mixer ready and pop open a bottle of Durangold. Let's get started!

A Brief History of the Tequila Sour

Sour cocktails have been around since the mid-1800s. The first official mention of a sour was in 1862 in Jerry Thomas' Bartender's Guide. This single guide helped shape cocktail mixing for the following centuries, and it's one of the most valuable documents within the industry. While the Guide mentioned different kinds of sours, it didn't actually include one for tequila. That said, the ingredients for each cocktail are pretty much the same, so all you have to do is swap out the base liquor, and you're ready to go. 

So, why is it called a sour?

Well, it's because one of the main ingredients is a lemon. All sours use simple syrup, lemon juice, and liquor. Because this cocktail is so easy to make, many people have made alterations over the decades. So, the term covers a much broader scope today than in 1862. 

In the United States, tequila wasn't really part of the cultural landscape until World War II. Up until that point, most people drank whiskey, rum, or gin. Vodka and brandy were also popular, but tequila was more of a novelty. It also didn't help that the liquor could only be produced in Mexico, so it was much harder to find back then. 

During World War II, European liquors were harder to come by (for obvious reasons), and Mexico was just across the border, so demand for the booze skyrocketed. Today, tequila is a standard spirit served at every bar, making ordering a sour or some other cocktail variation easy. 

Cinnamon Tequila Sour and the Holidays

By adding cinnamon to the mix, this cocktail takes on the feeling of autumn and the holiday season. So, making a tequila alternative mocktail is an easy way to celebrate with family and friends without any alcohol. Also, since the holiday season involves so many parties and get-togethers, alcohol-free cocktails allow you to enjoy your favorite drinks while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

That said, the cinnamon tequila sour doesn't have to be reserved for Sober October or Thanksgiving. Feel free to remove the cinnamon or choose another seasoning that fits the time of year. For example, adding some egg whites makes the beverage frothy and light, which is perfect for spring and summer weather. 

What You'll Need to Make a Cinnamon Tequila Sour Mocktail

Overall, this mocktail is easy to make, so you should have all the tools necessary on hand. Even if you don't, it's always wise to have a cocktail shaker in your cupboard, so you don't have to feel bad about buying anything. Here are the items necessary to craft the perfect cinnamon tequila sour: 

• Cocktail Shaker - If you don't have one of these, you can use a pint glass and a metal cocktail pourer. Barring those, you can always use an enclosed water bottle or something similar. As long as no liquid can get out, it works. Then, you just need to use something to strain the drink into your glass. 
• Stemmed Cocktail Glass - You shouldn't use a martini glass for this cocktail. Instead, use a glass with a wider rim and base so you can sip it more easily. Also, since you'll have Durangold on hand, you can use the glass for margaritas too. 

Beyond these tools, you'll need the following ingredients: 

• 2 oz Durangold Tequila Alternative
• 2 tbsp Simple Syrup (you can make this yourself if you don't have a bottle on hand)
• 2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Egg White (optional)
• Fresh Ice

How to Make an Alcohol Free Cinnamon Tequila Sour Mocktail

If you don't have simple syrup in your cupboard, you can make your own. All you have to do is add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan and boil until most of the water evaporates. Make sure to check the syrup's consistency because if there's less water, it will be thick and sticky, like molasses. 

Once the syrup is ready, add all your ingredients (except for the egg white) into a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, then strain the beverage into your cocktail glass. If you're using egg whites, we recommend shaking them by themselves and adding the foam to the top of your drink. Or, you can mix it all together for a smoother beverage. 

If you want a garnish, feel free to sprinkle some cinnamon on top of your mocktail or add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer. 

Tequila Sour Variations and Alternatives

Because this cocktail is so straightforward, it's easy to add different ingredients to put a spin on the classic flavor profile. Here are some of our favorite ways to mix things up: 

• Use Lemon and Lime Juice - Limes are practically synonymous with tequila cocktails, so adding some lime juice to the drink gives it a little more fruitiness. You can either split the difference and do one ounce of each, or you can add another two ounces of lime. If you do that, we recommend adding another ounce of Durangold to even things out. Alternatively, you can just use lime juice instead of a lemon. 
• Use Orange Juice - Sour cocktails just need a citrus fruit, so who says you have to stop at lemons and limes? Oranges add a bit of extra juiciness to the cocktail, and they're perfect as a garnish. For something a bit more tropical and exotic, you can try a blood orange. 
• Ginger Honey Sour - Another way to celebrate the holidays is to use honey as your simple syrup and add some ginger beer to the mix. The ginger beer gives the cocktail some pep, and the honey creates a unique flavor profile that you won't forget. 
• Rodriquez Sour - Some people prefer their cocktails to have an extra bite to them. The Rodriguez Sour uses a jalapeno to add some spiciness to the mix, so we only recommend this option if you know what you're doing. You want to add a little jalapeno juice to the cocktail shaker and use a fresh pepper as a garnish. 
• Use Agave Syrup - Since traditional tequila is made from the agave plant, it makes sense to use agave syrup when making this mocktail. Durangold works well with all kinds of syrups, so feel free to mix and match until you find one that you really like. 

Overall, there's no limit to what you can do to make your tequila sour unique and flavorful. Also, if you come up with something truly magnificent, you can promote it online and potentially invent a brand-new cocktail! You can also check out our other mocktails here.