Long Island ice tea

Ingredients

• 1 ounce of vodka
• 1 ounce of gin
• 1 ounce of rum
• 1 ounce of high quality tequila
• 1/2 ounce of triple sec
• 2 ounces of sour mix
• coke

Instructions

1. Fill the cocktail shaker 3/4 of the way full of ice. Put in vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec and sour. Shake like you’re Shakira on stage at your first concert.
2. Divide (ice and all) between two glasses and top with to the brim with coke.
3. Take a nap.

Tequila-Lime Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 1¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
• 16-oz cream cheese
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime zest
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 2-4 tablespoons tequila
• 2 tablespoons cointreau
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 eggs

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
2. Line a 9 X 9 inch pan with aluminum foil and spray with oil.
3. To make crust: melt butter in a medium bowl. Stir in graham cracker crumbs until combined. Press gently in the bottom of the foil-lined pan.
4. Beat together cream cheese and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add lime juice & zest, tequila, cointreau and cream. Mix until completely combined *make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
5. Pour cream cheese mixture over graham cracker crust, spread into corners. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the center sets up.
6. Allow to cool completely in pan, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Cut into squares.

Spicy Watermelon Margaritas

INGREDIENTS

Watermelon juice

• 1 small seedless watermelon, or half of a larger watermelon

Chili-salt rims

• 1 part kosher salt
• 1 part ancho chili powder or regular chili powder
• Lime wedges

Ingredients per margarita

• 2 ounces fresh watermelon juice
• 1½ ounces tequila, preferably 100% agave silver or blanco tequila
• ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
• ½ ounce fresh orange juice
• ½ teaspoon agave nectar or simple syrup, more to taste
• 1 thinly sliced jalapeño round

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To make the watermelon juice, scoop the watermelon flesh into your blender and blend until it has turned into a smooth juice. Depending on your watermelon, you may or may not need to strain out the pulp.
2. To prepare your margarita glasses: On a small, rimmed plate, mix together equal parts salt and chili powder. I like to use my fingers to rub the chili powder into the salt. Run a wedge of lime around the top of each glass. Dip the top of the glass into the salt blend at a 45-degree angle and roll it from side to side to catch the salt. Add ice cubes to your glass and set it aside.
3. To make margaritas. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the watermelon juice, tequila, lime juice, orange juice, agave nectar and top with a jalapeño slice.
4. Secure the lid to the shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Taste and add additional sweetener if necessary. Strain the liquid into your prepared glass.