SXSW Sips - Festival-Inspired Cocktails from Sauza

For nearly three decades, South by Southwest (SXSW) has been a gathering of the who’s who of movies, music, and groundbreaking technology. It’s a celebration of what’s big, buzz worthy, and up-and-coming; from hot new talent to historic performances, surprise appearances, secret concerts, app launches, and movie premieres. 

SXSW is here, and Sauza® Tequila is prepared with cocktails to toast to the latest and greatest in film, interactive, and music.  We’re paying homage to Austin, SXSW’s birthplace and home since it was first held in 1987. 

The eclectic music scene and buzzing social setting are the perfect breeding ground for creativity and these drink recipes are no exception.

Keep Austin Weird 

• ¾ part tamarind concentrate
• 2 parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• 1 ¼ parts freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ part simple syrup
• ½ part freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ part DeKuyper® Triple Sec
• ice
• 1 stick cinnamon ( for garnish)

For the rim 

• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp cayenne
• ½  tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Preparation: Mix sugar, salt, cayenne, and cinnamon in a small bowl, then pour onto a saucer. Pour 2 tablespoons lime juice onto a second saucer. Turn serving glass (martini glass or old fashioned) in lime juice to coat the outer rim. Then spin glass in cayenne mixture, rotating slowly to coat.

Add tamarind concentrate, tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, and Cointreau to mixing glass. Fill with ice and shake well, about 30 seconds. Strain into serving glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick if desired.

*We used tamarind concentrate, which comes as a thick liquid in a plastic jar. If you can only find tamarind blocks, don't worry. Submerge an inch or so of the block in a few tablespoons of hot water for fifteen minutes. Mash to loosen, and discard any seeds or undissolved solids.

Silicon Hills 

• 2 parts of Sauza® Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila
• 1 part DeKuyper® Apricot Brandy
• 6 parts Apricot Nectar
• 2 parts Orange Juice
• 1 Orange cut into wedge (for garnish)

Preparation:  Combine all ingredients in a nonreactive bowl or container you can freeze. Place in the freezer for at least two hours or until it is softly frozen. Remove from freezer and spoon into blender and blend until smooth. Serve garnished with an orange slice. If you like, rim your glass with sugar/salt. Salud!

The Austinite 

• 1 ½ parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila 
• ½ parts orange liqueur 
• 2 parts Passion Fruit Jam
• 2 parts Club Soda
• ½ part Agave 
• 1 part lime juice
• Lime wedge(for garnish)
• Chili-salt to rim

Preparation: In a shaker filled with ice combine all ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with ice and prepared with a chili-salt rim. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Southwest Sunset Margarita

• 2 parts Sauza® Blue Reposado Tequila
• 2 parts orange juice
• 2 dashes grenadine
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation: In a glass filled with ice, stir together orange juice and tequila. Pour the two dashes of grenadine down the side so that it settles to the bottom of the glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Enjoy!