The sweet, tart and slightly fizzy Tequila Daisy is the perfect late-afternoon tipple on a hot day.
When I first saw the name of tonight’s cocktail, the Tequila Daisy, my mind automatically went to thoughts and images of the Margarita. I had heard stories through the years that the Margarita is a Daisy, and vice versa, and that when the classic tequila drink was first created it was called a Daisy. In fact, the word margarita is Spanish for “daisy”. It’s understandable that a fair amount of people would assume, just through peripheral information, that both drinks are the same thing, or one begat the other. Sounds like some weird cocktail Bible story.
The most likely scenario is that the Margarita as we know and love it today, which first started to appear in the 1940s and 1950s, naturally evolved from the traditional Daisy, which has been around since the nineteenth century. The Daisy is claimed to have been invented in New York City during the early 1870s at Fred Eberlin’s popular bar, right near the New York Stock Exchange. No southwestern or Mexican origins in that story, and no tales of a traveler bringing the idea back to the States after a few adventures in any number of cantinas along a dusty trail. In fact, the Daisy, while sharing some similarities, is quite different from the summertime favorite called the Margarita.
Jerry Thomas’ 1876 recipe for the Daisy was published calling for the drink to be made using whiskey, lemon juice and orange cordial poured over ice, then topped with club soda. Over the years, like with many other classic cocktails, the Daisy found itself to be quite flexible.
The Tequila Daisy is just one delicious example of the legendary recipe’s versatility.
What Is The Best Tequila To Use In A Tequila Daisy?
You can play around with different types of tequila when mixing up a few Daisies for you and your friends. A silver variety will be creamy and peppery with a clear color, balancing nicely with the other flavors. For a more robust and spicier tipple, go for a slightly darker reposado tequila. An aged añejo will give your drink a more full-bodied flavor with each sip. It all depends on your palate and mood.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice or lime juice
- 1/2 ounce triple sec
- 1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar
- Splash of soda water to top
- Lemon slice and mint leaf for garnish
Instructions
- Add the tequila, lemon juice, triple sec, and sugar to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail coupe. Top the glass with a splash of soda water.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and a mint leaf.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a cocktail coupe in your freezer for up to thirty minutes before serving. Garnish with a lemon (or lime) wheel and fresh sprig of mint. You can also rim the glass with sugar for a little extra sweetness with each sip.
Can different liqueurs be used in place of the triple sec?
You can try switching out the triple sec with other liqueurs to give your Tequila Daisy a different flavor profile, such as St-Germain, amaretto or limoncello.
Similar Cocktails To The Tequila Daisy
There are a few drinks you’ve probably had that the Tequila Daisy might’ve reminded you of, and for some reason you can’t stop thinking about them. So this weekend, you’ve decided that you’ll treat yourself and your friends to a few other drinks that favor a Daisy. To keep things simple, here are a few of them to get you started.
- Tommy’s Margarita – The popular and simple take on the classic cocktail is both fun and refreshing.
- Tequila Martini – A Southwestern spin on the legendary tipple.
- Paloma – This grapefruit-flavored elixir will keep you cool on a hot summer night.
- Lemon Drop Martini – This vodka-based tipple is tart, sweet and powerful.
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