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9 Cocktails To Celebrate National Tequila Day In NYC

As if you needed an excuse for a mid-week cocktail, Thursday, June 24 is National Tequila Day. Here's a look at nine of our favorite tequila-based cocktails in New York City. From margaritas to sweet to spicy, each drink is worth celebrating.

More: New York City's 6 Best Mojitos

Lion in Summer cocktail
(credit: The Toucan & The Lion)

Celebrate the holiday with something spicy and fierce -- like "The Lion In Summer" cocktail at The Toucan & The Lion in the East Village. Tequila, sriracha, simple syrup, lime juice and ginger beer are shaken and served over ice, then garnished with an orange wedge. This cocktail is light and crisp with only hints of spice at the tail end of the drink, to keep it feisty. The Toucan & The Lion boasts a great summer happy hour all night on Sundays and Mondays, and offers $4 draft beers Tuesday through Saturday.

Tequila Sorbet from Rayuela
Tequila Sorbet from Rayuela

The name of the restaurant - Rayuela - may be Spanish for "hopscotch," but trust us -- this place is not for the kiddies. Their sophisticated tequila cocktail is spiked with orange-infused rum and chamomile syrup. Guava, and a spicy salt rim make for the ultimate summertime treat for grown ups.

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At Gramercy Tavern in the Flat Iron District, the cocktails section of their menu features two tequila drinks, the Mezcaliente (pictured) and the Buzzworthy. If you want a chilled but hot kick go for the Mezcaliente which is infused with Cimarrón Tequila, Del Maguey Mezcal, Jalapeño, Cucumbers, and Lime. This creative cocktail has the perfect balance between spicy and cool and is definitely recommended for National Tequila Day!

QUI TEQUILA

The BiQuiNi at Casa La femme Restaurant gets its color from pink grapefruit juice and a splash of champagne. Combine that with Qui tequila, agave syrup, orange flavored liqueur, some lemon & lime juice, all garnished with an orange peel, and you've got yourself a tangy drink perfect for summer. Stop by the West Village location and try their other tequila drinks like the Quitini, Quibiscus, and Quirita.

tequila drink
(Credit: Stone Rose Lounge)

Take a trip to Hell's Kitchen to try this unique tequila cocktail. The Spicy Paloma at Stone Rose Lounge will surprise you with a unique taste of Thai Chile Aperol. Combine that with Casamigos Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and a slice of grapefruit inside, and you've got yourself the perfect spicy but fruity drink.

Tequila drink
(Credit: Whiskey Blue)

If you want to feel as cool as a cucumber, head over to Whiskey Blue in the W Hotel and try their Cucumber Margarita. This is not just a regular margarita— Casamigos Blanco, Fresh Lime Juice, Cointrau, and simple syrup are served over fresh ice and garnished with cucumber slices on a bamboo pic. The modern, legendary location will satisfy your ideal night out with an ideal summery tequila drink.

tequila drink
(credit: Horchata New York)

Celebrate National Tequila day with the Benny Blanco from Horchata in the Greenwich Village. This Mexican cocktail is made with Herradura Silver, Passion Fruit, Chipotle, Lemon Juice, and Soda. Make sure you also check out Horchata's extensive list of house margaritas including the Blood Orange, Meyer Lemon Yuzu, Guava, Hibiscus, and more.

Toloache Thompson Margarita de Sangre
(Credit: Toloache)

Julian Medina's West Village outpost is featuring a specialty margarita and shot to celebrate National Tequila Day. Adding to their already expansive margarita list is the Margarita de Sangre which is made with Blood Orange Puree, Gran Centenario Plata, Habanero-infused Gran Centario plata, simple syrup, lime juice, mint leaves, and Tajin Rim. The Lychee Shot is mixed with a splash of coconut cream, lychee, gran centenario plata, lychee juice, lime juice, lychee nectar, and spicy coconut rum. The cocktail and shot are available for the holiday only, so don't miss out!

Dynasty Margarita
(Credit: NYY Steak)

Midtown's hottest steakhouse is offering its own nod to National Tequila Day. NYY Steak's tequila-based cocktail is created with Avion Silver, Cointreau, Fresh sour mix, fresh seasonal berries, and lime juice. The restaurant will be offering their signature Dynasty Margarita cocktail at a discounted price of $10 (usually $16) in honor of the holiday!

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