Mix your own summer specialty cocktails

I got a recent e-mail highlighting a couple new summer cocktails with recipes provided by Tequila Don Julio. The Highway 71 has coconut infused sweet vermouth and chocolate mole bitters. It's a summery take on the classic Manhattan. The Don Siegel cocktail contains fresh lime juice and agave nectar syrup for a sweet splash of summer in a glass.

Highway 71

Created by NYC Mixologist Thomas Waugh

Ingredients:

1 ounce Tequila Don Julio Añejo
1/2 ounce Coconut Infused Sweet Vermouth
1 dash Chocolate Molé Bitters
Smoked Cinnamon Stick for Garnish

**To create Coconut Infused Sweet Vermouth:
Ingredients:
1 750 ml bottle Sweet Vermouth
1 cup Sweetened Coconut Flakes

Preparation:

1. Add sweetened coconut flakes to a bottle of Sweet Vermouth.
2. Let sit for 2 hours.
3. Strain out coconut and add liquid back to the bottle
4. Label and refrigerate.

Preparation:

1. Combine Tequila Don Julio Añejo, coconut infused sweet vermouth and chocolate molé bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir.
2. Strain contents into a rocks glass over one large piece of ice.
3. Garnish with smoked cinnamon stick.

Ideal Serving Glass:
Rocks Glass

Yield:
1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol

Don Siegel

Created by NYC Mixologist Thomas Waugh

Ingredients:
1 ounce Tequila Don Julio Reposado
1/3 ounce Dry Amontillado Sherry
1/3 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
1/3 ounce Agave Nectar Syrup
1 tsp Apricot Liqueur
1 tsp Mezcal
Angostura Bitters
Cracked Ice
Mint Sprigs for Garnish

**To create Cracked Ice:
Preparation:

1. Pour ice into a durable sealed bag.
2. Crack ice cubes with muddler.

Preparation:

1. Combine Tequila Don Julio Reposado, dry amontillado sherry, fresh lime juice, agave nectar syrup, apricot liqueur and mezcal into a shaker. Shake Well.
2. Pour contents into a Collins Glass over cracked ice.
3. Add a few dashes of angostura bitters.
4. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Ideal Serving Glass:
Collins Glass

Yield:
1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol