Celebrate the Derby and Cinco de Mayo With Dueling Cocktails

The margarita is one of the most popular cocktails in the U.S., and there's no better time to enjoy one than on Cinco de Mayo, which this year is also Derby Day. Celebrate both events with dueling cocktails!

Perhaps part of the margarita's popularity is due to just how easy it is to make - it's simply a combination of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. But of course, to mix a truly delicious and enjoyable margarita, the quality of the ingredients makes all the difference. In addition to choosing a top-quality, 100-percent agave tequila, don't overlook the equally important orange liqueur.

"If you're making a margarita, then naturally you'll want to use an authentic orange liqueur that's produced and bottled in Mexico," says Francisco Alcaraz, Patr�n tequila's master distiller. "We created Patr�n Citr�nge to mix beautifully with Patr�n tequila for margaritas and any number of other premium cocktails."

Patr�n Citr�nge is characterized by its clear, bright color, and aroma of fresh, mature blend of sweet and bitter orange with floral notes. With its crisp and fresh orange flavor, Patr�n Citr�nge not only mixes perfectly in margaritas, martinis and other cocktails, it also adds a distinctive flavor to gourmet cooking recipes, sauces and desserts.

So for Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo, whip up a batch of Patr�n Julep cocktails - and watch the horses fly.

Patr�n Julep

Patr�n Silver 1 1/2 oz
Apple juice 3 1/4 oz
Mint leaves 12
Freshly squeezed lime juice 1/2
Lemonade
Sprig of mint for garnish

Muddle mint in a collins glass with lime juice and apple juice.
Fill glass with ice, add Patr�n Silver, then top with lemonade and stir.
Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.

____________________________________________________________________________

Patr�n Perfect Margarita

Patr�n Silver 1 1/2 oz.
Patr�n Citr�nge 1/2 oz.
Orange juice 1/2 juice of a small lemon
Sweet and sour mix
Lime wheel for garnish

Method
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all of the ingredients and shake well so that to have an even mixture.
Pour into a martini glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel.

____________________________________________________________________________

Patr�n Passion Tini

Patr�n A�ejo 1 oz.
Passion fruit syrup 1/2 oz.
2 lemon squeezes
Simple syrup 1/4 oz.
Lemon corkscrew for garnish

Method
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with a lemon corkscrew.

____________________________________________________________________________