If you’ve never had a chocolate tequila cocktail, today’s the day: July 24th is National Tequila Day.

Since the Margarita cocktail has its own holiday (National Margarita Day is February 22nd), celebrate with a different tequila cocktail.

Beyond the Margarita, some of the most popular tequila cocktails are:

 
And now, the Mint Chocolate Black Barrel.
 
 
RECIPE: MINT CHOCOLATE BLACK BARREL COCKTAIL

The Mint Chocolate Black Barrel, developed by Hornitos Tequila, uses Hornitos Black Barrel tequila, a premium aged añejo (here are the different expressions of tequila).

First, the tequila is aged in traditional American Oak barrels for 12 months. Then, it spends four months in deep charred oak barrels (the “black barrels”).

Finally, it spends two more months in specially toasted barrels, which engender more depth and complexity.

All this aging produces a rich, smoky flavor and a golden amber color.

It’s Easy to drink and unforgettably smooth, it is an elegant sipping tequila. So if you don’t feel like chocolate today, just pour the tequila over ice.
 
Ingredients Per Cocktail

 
Preparation

1. LIGHTLY MUDDLE 3-5 mint leaves in a shaker. Add the remaining ingredients except the garnish, and shake vigorously.

2. STRAIN into a martini glass and garnish with a strawberry.

[1] Better for dessert than a pre-dinner drink (photo © Hornitos Tequila).

[2] Hornitos Black Barrel is an elegant sipping tequila (both photos © Beam Suntory).

[3] How about some chocolate-covered strawberries to serve with the cocktail (photo © Balducci’s).

A chocolate cocktail is too sweet to serve as an apéritif. We prefer it as an after-dinner drink.

If you want to pair it with dessert, keep the dessert simple. You don’t want flavors that compete with the cocktail, but flavors that complement it.

If you’re a chocoholic, you can serve it with a simple chocolate dessert, like a bundt. Otherwise, consider:

 
How about a plate with three small bites of different desserts?
 
 
>THE HISTORY OF TEQUILA

>THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEQUILA