Friday, July 24th marks the celebration of the national drink of Mexico, Tequila.
More than just waking up the next morning with a foggy recollection of the previous night’s account, wondering who’s in the bed beside us, this unique libation is one of the most sought after when compared to its alcoholic counterparts.
Much like true champagne can only come from France, tequila can only be produced in Mexico.
It is also one of the most strictly regulated spirits in the world, watched by not only Mexican government, but also the Tequila Regulatory Council and the National Chamber of Tequila Producers.
There’s much more to this spirit than the 1 a.m. shots of Don Julio that abruptly curtail any memory-making from that moment on.
So in honor of National Tequila Day, we’ve pulled together 10 of the city’s best places to experience the tastiest tequila and-- more importantly-- still remember it the next day.
1. Gabriela’s Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar (688 Columbus Avenue)
The Upper West Side has become a cultural mecca of exotic eateries and bars over the last decade. One of its hidden gems (that’s no longer all that much of a secret) is Gabriela’s up on 93rd.
Not only do they serve up lip-smacking authentic Mexican fare, they have some of the highest-grade tequilas on the market.
Their tasting flight of four fine libations, of which includes Milagro tequila, one of the purest tequilas available made with 100% blue agave, expands the palette to just how different tequilas can both taste and finish.
Sip slowly. Gabby’s may also ruin frozen margaritas for you forever. Besides coming in an array of flavors like Passion Fruit, Prickly Pair and Rainbow, these margaritas are buzzed to be the city’s hands-down best.
2. Tequila Sunrise (34-47 Bell Boulevard - Queens)
From amazingly priced authentic food to some of Queens’ favorite margaritas, this Bayside brasserie serves up nothing but a good time. Complete with a live mariachi band, Tequila Sunrise screams, “Let’s party!”
Multiple “Corral” rooms allow for different dining experiences, from high-energy rooms with large tables to the quiet back patio.
Complete with buffet style “Party Menus,” including a $20 open bar option, this is a spot to see the less refined side of tequila and have a real tequila fiesta, motherland-style.
3. Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar (339 Adams Street- Brooklyn)
elcaminodark Best part of any workday! Great company makes it even better! #lunchtime #happyhour #friday #brooklyn #margaritas #tequila
With an extensive food and liquor menu, not to mention fresh Mexican favorites like guac made tableside, Rocco’s in Brooklyn Heights is a place you wouldn’t expect to be the tequila powerhouse it is.
It prides itself on its 425 different types of tequila, all ready for you to sample in various flights paired for different and discerning palettes.
This casual canteen brings both the liveliness and flavors that are precious to Mexico as well as some innovations that can be only found there, as they’re made strictly in house.
This is the perfect place for the seasoned connoisseur and the tequila-curious alike.
4. Agave (140th 7th Avenue)
Arguably the city’s best place for anything tequila-related, this West Village eatery has been named a top tequila bar by reputable sources like USA Today and New York Magazine.
From spruce-firs imported from New Mexico, to their stockade of over a hundred varieties of tequila, Agave allows guests to have a thoroughly Southwestern experience.
Much like wine sommeliers, they have knowledgeable tequila experts that will help you select the right spirit both for your tastes and your budget.
They also feature some extremely innovative tequila cocktail creations, such as the "Cucumber Uno!"; a combination of fresh cucumber, lemon and basil with T1 Ultra Fino Tequila, and the "Electric Feel"; using the ultra smooth Siembra Azul Reposado, golden pineapple, and lavender sugar.
5. La Biblioteca (622 3rd Avenue)
zengorsr Would you like to have your very own hiding place in #NewYork? What about #LaBiblioteca, where you can store your very own bottle of #tequila?
Boasting a 400-bottle collection of traditional tequilas and mezcals, it’s plain to see why this underground spirit vault literally means, “The Library.”
With tequilas from both the big name haciendas and family-owned distilleries alike, your taste buds can reach regions of Mexico not commonly found in an everyday liquor cabinet, such as Oaxaca and Durango.
Their Agave Cultivation Tasting offers a three-choice flight of fine tequilas including Casa Noble Blanco, Siembra Azul Blanco and Chinaco Blanco. Bringing flavor to Midtown East, La Biblioteca is the perfect peaceful place to sip, much like how a one is meant to enjoy a good book.
,
6. Cantina Rooftop (605 West 48th Street)
Nestled atop of the legendary Studio 48 nightclub lies the Latin-inspired Cantina Rooftop; a colorful open air lounge that doesn’t just boast great views of the far West side of Manhattan, but a pretty impressive tequila roster to boot.
For those looking for a more mild tequila encounter, mixologist Nelson Lemus has created The Mariachi, a blend of Cazadores tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, St. Germain Elderflower liquor and Spicy Agave with an Orange Burnt garnish.
They also offer a myriad of low-price shots and finer tastings of their Cazadores tequila, a definite palette pleaser with a smooth finish despite its slightly intimidating bouquet.
7. Maracuja (279 Grand Street - Brooklyn)
Brooklyn’s premiere tequila spot masquerades as a humble old school eatery in Williamsburg. After lying unused for over three decades, it was finally renovated back to its 1950’s-style glory.
Head to the open backyard to sip on some sublimely smooth Tequila Olmeca Blanco, one of their smoother tequila selections.
Surrounded by time-old knick-knacks that reflect the days of old New York, such as a wooden rotary phone booth, phonographs and an upright piano rescued from a basement in the Bronx, it’s the quintessential Brooklyn spot to kick up your feet and get your tequila on.
8. Iguana’s Mexican Grill & Cantina (17911 Union Turnpike - Queens)
diannnn_ Undergrad is officially over, but I'll always be a Jhonnie ! #sju #classof2015 #iggys #patrrrrrron
Something that definitely is not lacking at Iguana’s is flavor. From all types of different flavors of tequilas and 26 unique margarita flavors, this eatery is made for those with complex taste buds who like explosions of simultaneous flavor.
Tucked away in Flushing, Queens, it brings a distinguished and colorful flair to the otherwise culturally diverse neighborhood.
Head to the back of the restaurant to check out their “tequila museum,” a showcase of odd, uncommon and beautiful tequilas gathered from across the country.
Get ready for a spicy kick of flavor as soon as you walk in.
9. Empellón Cochino (various NYC locations)
This unique Mexican spot should be called the agave temple with the way the eatery worships everything agave.
From among the purest agave tequilas found in the world to agave-infused spirits and culinary ingredients, this is the place to get better acquainted with everything that the legendary tequila plant can do.
You can grab a stool at the bar for a quick buzz with their $10 beer-and-shot combo, comprised of a can of Modelo Especial with a shot of Cabeza blanco tequila.
Or get a little more into their tequila game with a flight of three Oaxacan mezcals, which includes the brackish and highly sought after Del Maguey Espadin Especial.
You can wrap up your tequila tasting with one of their signature cocktails, such as a smoky margarita with Fidencio Clasico or a mezcal-based Mai Tai riff.
10. Casa Mezcal (86 Orchard Street)
There's a time and place for frozen margaritas served in goblets you can fit your head in, but there are also moments when you just want to sip some artisan tequila, smoky mescal or small-batch sotol.
At Casa Mezcal, the owners offer an untold treasure trove of rare tequilas from their travels through southern Mexico. They’re also one of the only tequila houses to import the coveted Los Amantes tequila.
Triple-distilled for a refined, smooth flavor, Los Amantes means “the lovers” in Spanish and is named for the Aztec legend of Mayahuel that tells the origin of Mezcal.
After you've got some ancient liquid courage down the hatch, descend to the swanky Botanic Lab downstairs lounge where mixologist Miguel Aranda synthesizes eccentric herbal concoctions using mysterious mixtures stashed in apothecary-style bottles.
Got your own bottle of tequila? Check out 7 Best BYOB Restaurants in NYC Below 14th Street.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Being Latino]