National Tequila Day… A little history and a tequila recipe round up

Seems every day these days is some sort of National Food Day, and I'm the first to admit that I don't really pay much attention.  However… National Tequila Day???  Totally caught my attention!

Being a "Margarita Girl" for some 20+ years I've had my fair share of the spirit, but as I've aged I've ditched the calorie-filled cocktails and simply stuck with pure, straight tequila.  Enjoying a bit of a bite and a squeeze of lime, I wouldn't call myself a tequila connoisseur but I've definitely improved my palate and I've come to appreciate tequila in all areas of cocktails and food.

Tequila's history dates to the 16th century, with roots back even further.  A decedent of Pulque - a beverage fermented by the Aztec's from the sap of the maguey plant and later the agave plant - and Mezcal (the first distilled beverage in North America), the concoction first went by the name of "Mezcal Wine" or "Agave Wine", finally taking on the name of a small town in Jalisco, Mexico - Tequila.

Distilled from the sap of the hearts of the blue agave plant, the first licensed manufacturer is a name most people will recognize, Jose Antonio Cuervo. Receiving the rights to cultivate an agave-filled parcel of land by the King of Spain, the rest is history.

By the mid 19th century Curevo's fields held some three million agave plants, and Cuervo was selling 10,000 barrels of tequila in Guadalajara alone. Cuervo is still one of the largest tequila manufacturers along with other familiar names including Srs. Herradura and Sauza.

Today tequila can be found at nearly any price point and has gained a somewhat trendy following leading many to ask the question "Is Tequila the new Vodka?".  With celebrity-owned tequilas ranging from Casamigos (George Clooney) to 901 (Justin Timberlake) to Cabo Wabo (Sammy Hagar), tequila seems to be on the road to even more popularity.

And now we celebrate July 24th, National Tequila Day!  What's your favorite brand, or do you have a favorite tequila recipe??  We'd love to hear your thoughts!!!

But... in case you're in need of a recipe we've got a few favorites in our National Tequila Day Roundup

Cheers!

Roasted Jalapeño and Pineapple Infused Tequila - Liv Life

Tequila Lime Watermelon Granita - Recipe Renovator

Strawberry Mango Tequila Sunrise - The Girls in the Little Red Kitchen

Triple Citrus Pomegranate Margaritas -  Spicy RD

Mango Coconut Margarita - Snappy Gourmet

Strawberry Margarita Punch - The Cookie Rookie

Champagne Margaritas - The Kitchen is my Playground

Mexican Martini - Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine

Strawberry Habañero Margaritas - Spabettie

Coconut Creamsicle Margaritas - DrinkedIN

Strawberry Mango Margarita -  Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine

Frozen Watermelon Margaritas - Liv Life

Super Skinny Margarita -  Family Fresh Meals

Mango Passion Fruit Margarita - Laylita's Recipes

Key Lime Raspberry Margarita - Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Frozen Peach Margarita - Miss in the Kitchen

Spicy Cucumber Margaritas - A Cozy Kitchen

Colada Margarita - Cooking on the Front Burner

Rhubarb Paloma - The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

Mango Strawberry Margaritas - Wine and Glue

Blueberry Lime Margaritas - Heather Christo

Layered Margarita Popsicles - The Cookie Rookie

Tropical Tequila Sunrise Popsicles -Real Food by Dad

Margarita Lime Jell-O Cubes - Liv Life

Ocean Margarita Jelly Shots - Delish

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shots - Liv Life

Mexican Coffee - Diethood

Margarita Cupcakes - Love From the Oven

Margarita Lime Sherbet - Around my Family Table

Margarita Lime Cheesecake - Liv Life

Watermelon Margarita Cupcakes - Cooking with Curls

Frozen Margarita Lime Pie - Liv Life

Margarita Hint-of-Lime Cupcakes with Margarita Buttercream -  The Kitchen is my Playground

Margarita Cookies with Salty Sweet Tequila Glaze - Love From the Oven

Roasted Tomatillo and Avocado Salsa - Recipe Renovator

Tequila Lime Chicken Fajitas - Persnickety Plates

Girls Night Guacamole - Love From the Oven

Tequila Lime Fruit Salad - Taste of Home

Honey Lime Tequila Shrimp Tacos - Tartine and Apron String

Tequila Lime Fish Tacos - Love and Lemons

Mole Chicken Wings with Tequila Lime Marinade - Eat the Love

Tequila Lime Flank Steak Fajitas - How Sweet it is

Tequila Lime Shrimp and Quinoa Salad - Iowa Girl Eats