Tequila is one of those alcohols that often elicits a shudder when mentioned in a group setting. It seems like everyone has a story that starts or ends with “and we had shots of tequila…” But if you’ve grown beyond those stories, tequila is still there for you, waiting to be enjoyed a little more judiciously. You’ll find delicious options to do so at the places below:
Grand Electric has established itself as a great place on Queen West to have delicious tacos any day of the week (if you can manage to find a table). The tequila cocktails are sometimes classic, sometimes innovative, always yummy. Try El Chili Verde, made with tequila, serrano peppers, agave, lime and soda.
The Black Hoof's sister restaurant located just across the street is exactly what it sounds like: a cocktail bar that makes a whole list of mean libations, with a few snacks available on the side. Their contribution to the tequila cocktail craze? The Mescalero, made with cardamom tequila, mezcal, aperol, grapefruit oleo-saccharum, lemon and egg white and the Hornet's Nest, which combines Reposado tequila, 10 year rye, Punt e Mes and Cointreau.
Reposado is funky a tequila bar located on the trendy Ossington strip, offering one heck of a list of liquors to sip (alone or as part of a tasting flight) and some amazing tequila-based cocktails. One notable example is the Hot Ruby, made with strawberry infused tequila, habanero infused tequila and grapefruit soda.
El Catrin down in the Distillery District is an authentic Mexican restaurant with an incredible patio. This is the perfect place to sip incredible cocktails like the Agua de Coco made with Patron Café, Amarula, coconut water and lemon. If you want to turn up the heat, try the Pepino Diablo made with Tromba Blanco, muddled cucumber and Serrano peppers, agave nectar and citrus. Drooling yet?