This article is part of a series highlighting the importance of authentic tequila, partnered by PATRÓN. Discover more at The World of PATRÓN.
The holidays can be stressful but hosting holiday parties doesn’t have to be. You can host a crowd of any size — and with different tastes — by making a PATRÓN® punch cocktail recipe.
PATRÓN understands that when you host someone in your home, you want them to feel like family, whether it is just a few relatives or a large party of your chosen familia. Master distiller David Rodriguez started working at PATRÓN nearly 20 years ago when the company had 32 people. It’s now expanded to more than 2,100 employees as the tequila has soared in popularity, but PATRÓN has maintained a painstaking commitment to preserving tradition by refusing to cut corners.
Pre-batching will save you time, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to get drinks that taste like you’re drinking sour mix at a lackluster office party. These recipes use seasonal ingredients and a handcrafted tequila that is delicious enough to sip on its own, so you know it will elevate your cocktails.
Like the agave plant it comes from, figuring out what is premium tequila can be a bit thorny. Tequila can only come from a certain region in Mexico, but unless the bottle states that it’s 100% Weber Blue Agave, it is a “mixto” that can have as little as 51% blue agave. Even then, color, flavor, and additives like glycerin can be used to improve mouthfeel.
PATRÓN doesn’t add anything to its tequila to change its taste, color, or mouthfeel. Even as the company has become famous worldwide as a premium tequila, it’s still painstakingly handcrafted, using the same high-quality agave, slowly roasting it, and then distilling it to naturally achieve simply perfect flavor.
A quality base spirit is your first step to planning amazing party drinks. To determine how much you’ll need, people tend to drink one to two drinks per hour at a party. To be safe, multiply the number of guests, times two, times the number of hours you plan to have people over. A standard 750ml bottle of PATRÓN is a little over 25 ounces, although the Silver does come in a 1.5-liter size, handy for batching cocktails.
A staple at a party is a classic Margarita. A tip that will level up your salt rim game: only rim half the glass to give guests a choice on if they would like it salty. Rub a lime wedge only on the outside of the glass, and then roll it on a plate of salt. This way the salt doesn’t drip from the top rim to the inside of the drink and make it too salty.
PATRÓN Classic Margarita
This punch is a festive holiday red, but you can make the presentation extra special by getting a “watermelon tap” and pouring drinks directly from the fruit itself.
INGREDIENTS
45 ounces PATRÓN Silver
30 ounces Citrónge Orange Liqueur
22 ½ ounces fresh lime juice
7 ½ ounces simple syrup
lime wedge for garnish
Kosher salt (optional)
METHOD
- Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously with ice to chill.
- Strain onto fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
PATRÓN Tequila Watermelon Patio Punch
While I’m not going to knock an eggnog or a mulled wine, your guests are going to get their fill of them during the holidays. Sometimes, you want something bright with lots of fruit to cure the cold-weather doldrums. PATRÓN Reposado is a great choice for this drink because it spends at least two months aging, which gives a balance of the agave flavor with citrus notes and the bit of age adds honey and vanilla characteristics that accentuate the orange, banana, and pineapple flavors in the drink.
INGREDIENTS
- 100 ounces PATRÓN Silver
- 16 cups Watermelon juice
- 4 cups fresh lime juice
- 4 cups simple syrup, to taste
- 2 tsp Salt
- watermelon slice for garnish
METHOD
- Lay a (preferably seedless) watermelon on its side and assess which end would be a better base if you were to stand it on its end.
- Using a chef’s knife, slice off a small bit of the rounded end to create a flat surface, being careful not to cut through to the flesh.
- Slice off the opposite end to create a “lid,” and stand the watermelon upright.
- Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, hollow out the watermelon, being sure to save the flesh and any juices.
- Transfer flesh to a blender and puree lightly, enough to liquefy the mixture.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove any pulp.
- Combine PATRÓN Silver, watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and salt and stir to thoroughly combine.
- Return contents to the watermelon for service and add ice to chill. You can also use a punch bowl and ladle.
Serves 32.
PATRÓN Yacht Rock Sangria
INGREDIENTS
- 48 ounces PATRÓN Reposado
- 24 ounces PATRÓN Citrónge Orange Liqueur
- 4 bottles Riesling wine
- 40 ounces pineapple juice
- 16 ounces MARTINI Bianco Vermouth
- 16 ounces Crème de banana
- 4 ounces Blueberries
- 40 lime wheels
- Blueberries for garnish
METHOD
- Combine liquid ingredients in a pitcher, carafe, or punch bowl.
- Add large chunks of ice and stir to combine and chill.
- Garnish with lime wheels and blueberries.
- Serve over ice.
Serves 32.
This article is sponsored by PATRÓN.
