Agua Caliente

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Cocktail History

The Agua Caliente is a classic cocktail that was created in the 1920s most likely in Mexico because its name is a reference to the racetrack in Tijuana. The recipe is traditionally made with tequila, lime, simple syrup, berry liqueur, grenadine, and soda water, and it is considered to be the earliest known version of the Tequila Sunrise.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Tequila Blanco: This is a spirit made with unaged agave and water. We used El Jimador Tequila Silver because it has a light and palatable agave flavor with notes of grapefruit and apple. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila.

Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.

Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.

Crème De Cassis: This is a liqueur made with blackcurrants, sugar, and alcohol. We used Maison Ferrand Mathilde Cassis Liqueur because it has a tart, bittersweet flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium Blackcurrant Syrup in place of the blackcurrant liqueur.

Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.

Soda Water: This is a type of water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. We used Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water because it’s light, essentially flavorless, and refreshing.

Lime Wheel: This is a lime slice that has been cut into a circular shape.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.

Tasting Notes

Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We thought the Agua Caliente was delicious and refreshing. The mixers mask the tequila so well that it might be a little dangerous if you’re not careful, and the tart fruity flavors made us almost feel like we were back on a beach in Mexico.

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Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Art of Vintage Cocktails by Stephanie Rosenbaum.

Sale
The Art of Vintage Cocktails
The Art of Vintage Cocktails
Hardcover Book; Rosenbaum, Stephanie (Author); English (Publication Language); 108 Pages – 01/07/2014 (Publication Date) – Egg & Dart (Publisher)
$10.98

AuthorThe Art of Vintage Cocktails

Yields1 ServingPrep Time5 mins

Ingredients
 1 ½ oz Tequila Blanco
 1 oz Lime Juice
 ½ oz Crème De Cassis
 3 oz Soda Water
 1 Lime Wheel

Method
1

Add tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, crème de cassis, grenadine, and ice cubes to a highball glass.

2

Stir for 10-20 seconds.

3

Top with soda water.

4

Garnish with lime wheel.

Ingredients

Ingredients
 1 ½ oz Tequila Blanco
 1 oz Lime Juice
 ½ oz Crème De Cassis
 3 oz Soda Water
 1 Lime Wheel

Directions

Method
1

Add tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, crème de cassis, grenadine, and ice cubes to a highball glass.

2

Stir for 10-20 seconds.

3

Top with soda water.

4

Garnish with lime wheel.

Agua Caliente

Make It a Mocktail: Use Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila and Monin Premium Blackcurrant Syrup in place of the blackcurrant liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.

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More Tequila Cocktails

If you like this tequila-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:

Mocha Spiked Horchata Cocktail Recipe

Mocha Spiked Horchata: A tequila cocktail made with horchata, cold-brew coffee, chocolate bitters, and ground cinnamon

Wild Rose Cocktail Recipe

Wild Rose: A tequila and dry sparkling wine cocktail made with pineapple gum syrup, maraschino liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters, and a orange twist

Privateer Cocktail Recipe

Privateer (Variation): A tequila cocktail made with passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, smoke and salt bitters, rosemary, and Tajín

Salted Sage Paloma Cocktail Recipe

Salted Sage Paloma: A tequila cocktail made with grapefruit juice, lime juice, salted sage syrup, soda water, and sage leaves

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