If you want to feel good about cocktail hour, consider pouring out some Patrón Tequila, a brand deeply committed to preserving the environment, and as Greg Cohen, VP of Communications says, “It starts at the top.”

“Our founder John Paul DeJoria is deeply committed to preserving the environment, supporting environmental causes, and giving back to communities in which we do business,” explains Cohen. “This has been an important part of our business since day one.

Thanks to its efforts, Patrón Tequila has earned an ISO 1400 Certification, an internationally recognized environmental standard shared by Diplomatico Rum.

Here are just a few of the many reasons that you can feel good about drinking Patrón Tequila.

1. Patrón Tequila Uses Recycled Materials Whenever Possible

To reduce its carbon footprint, Patrón Tequila uses several recycled materials, such as shipping boxes made from recycled paper.

Use of these boxes has been reduced as well. Patrón Tequila has cut box use by 30 percent in order to reduce excess paper usage, by abandoning individual packaging for bottles being shipped directly to bars and restaurants.

2. Patrón Tequila Recycles Waste Byproducts of its Production

“Water is vitally important to the production of tequila, so much in fact that it was a key factor in choosing where to locate our distillery,” says Cohen, who notes that the naturally soft water well on-site is essential to the production of the tequila.

But it is just as important to dispose of wastewater correctly. Patrón has developed industry-leading reverse osmosis technology that recycles 70 percent of its stillage, or leftover distillate, into clean water. Remaining stillage is combined with the byproducts of the agave used to distill the tequila, and the resulting combination is used for compost in the distillery’s on-site vegetable garden.

The resulting clean water, meanwhile, is used in the Hacienda’s facility cooling towers and gardens.

Patrón has also implemented a system of garbage separation in their facilities, which makes recycling even easier.

3. Patrón Tequila is Involved in the Local Community

In addition to these environmental efforts, Patrón donates to various causes, including the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international association chaired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of clean water advocates committed to protecting communities, ecosystems and water quality.

“We’re also very actively involved in civic and charitable causes in the small town in Jalisco, Mexico where the Patrón distillery is located, including support for orphanages, homes for the elderly, and food banks,” explains Cohen.

Patrón Tequila also recently installed a natural gas pipeline, to reduce harmful air emissions from production.

For these three reasons — and many more — you can feel good about pouring a glass of Patrón. Here are just a few recipes to enjoy.

Lil Mizz Sunshine (Created by Rosie Ruiz, Cole’s (LA))

Serves 4-5

Ingredients

6 oz Roca Patrón Reposado
2 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango
3 oz Orange/Chamomile Tea-Infused Sweet Vermouth
3 oz Lime Juice
10 White Sugar Cubes
6 oz Club Soda

Directions

Muddle sugar cubes with lime juice, Stir all ingredients (except for club soda) with ice. Strain over 1 large block of ice. Add club soda, and garnish with orange wheels and edible flowers.

Orange Chamomile-Infused Sweet Vermouth
-5 tsp Orange Chamomile Tea Leaves
-750ml Dolin Sweet Vermouth

Infuse tea in vermouth for 2 hours. After 2 hours, strain out tea and refrigerate.

Rosa Picante Margarita (Created by Jordan Corney, Bohanan’s)

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 oz Patrón Silver
.5 oz Patrón Citrónge Lime
1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
.5 oz ginger syrup
Bar spoon jalapeño oil
Dash rosewater
Rose petal sea salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe that has been half-rimmed with rose sea salt, and top with a dash of rose water. Garnish with a rose petal, if available.

El Camino (Created by Carlos Ytuuria, Lure + Till)

Serves 1

Ingredients

1.5 oz Roca Reposado
1 oz peach and basil puree
1 oz Lemon juice
.5 oz agave nectar
Garnish: basil leaf

Directions

Shake all ingredients. Serve over ice. Garnish with basil leaf.

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Images care of MBooth

The post 3 Unbelievably Good Reasons to Drink Patrón Tequila (Plus 3 Delicious Cocktail Recipes!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Who isn’t a margarita fan? National Margarita Day is the perfect time to mix up one of these flavorful Mexican cocktails, but instead of sticking to plain salt and lime, why not try one of these spicy, savory combos?

Each of these recipes includes at least one atypical ingredient for a margarita that breaks from the norm and tantalizes the palate.

1. Sriracharita (recipe care of Cruz Tequila)

This margarita is perfect for fans of spice, with not one but two sources of heat. A homemade jalapeño-infused agave nectar adds some fresh chile piquant, and everyone’s favorite condiment, Sriracha, adds some bright color and depth of flavor.

Ingredients

1 ½ parts CRUZ Tequila
1 part fresh lime juice
¾ parts Cointreau
¼ part jalapeño-infused organic Tres Agaves Agave nectar (recipe below)
3 dashes Sriracha
jalapeño, for garnish

Directions

Rim a glass with salt.

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the glass over ice. Garnish with jalepeño.

To make the jalapeño-infused Tres Agaves nectar:

2 cups organic Tres Agaves agave nectar
1 jalapeño, cut lengthwise, seeds removed (2 if you’re feeling bold!)

Bring the agave nectar to a simmer over medium heat. Add the jalapeño, and simmer at least one hour, then rest overnight for maximum flavor. Strain through a mesh sieve and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Image care of Cody Goldstein

2. The Twisted Margarita (recipe care of Cody Goldstein, Founder of Muddling Memories and Head Bartender at Upholstery Store)

This twist on the original margarita pays tribute to that classic NYC snack, the pretzel. With both salt and mustard, it’s a surprisingly savory cocktail.

Ingredients

2 parts Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
¾ parts lime juice
½ part triple sec
½ part simple syrup
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Mustard seed and sea salt rim

Directions

Rim a rocks glass with a slice of lime, and roll in the mustard seed and sea salt mixture.

Combine the Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila, lime, simple syrup, triple sec, and mustard powder in a shaker. Fill halfway with ice, and shake for 10 seconds. Strain over ice into the rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.

Image care of CRUZ Tequila

3. Blueberry Basil Margarita (recipe care of CRUZ Tequila)

This flavorful margarita is scented with both herbs and fresh blueberries. The result is vaguely floral and just sweet enough.

Ingredients

2 parts Cruz Silver Tequila
1 part agave nectar
12-15 blueberries
1 lime squeezed
1-2 parts filtered water
A couple sprigs of basil

Directions

Muddle the blueberries and basil with the tequila, and add the remaining ingredients. Shake with ice, then pour over fresh ice without straining. Garnish with basil sprigs and a few fresh blueberries.

Do you have any other favorite margarita recipes to suggest for National Margarita Day?

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Top image care of CRUZ Tequila

The post 3 Flavorful Margarita Recipes to Celebrate National Margarita Day! (#2 Includes a Surprise Ingredient) appeared first on EcoSalon.