Summer in Santa Fe is a time for celebration! July 24th marks National Tequila Day, and Santa Fe is offering its best to both locals and visitors alike!
Tequila was North America’s first distilled drink as well as its first commercially produced alcohol. From the moment it was bottled and sold, it has become one of the world’s most sought after spirits.
Legend has it that tequila is good for your health. In fact, during the Spanish Flu of 1918, doctors prescribed tequila shots as remedy due to a shortage of medicine. They advised that it should taken with lime and salt to make the taste more palatable. These days, we still take it with a grain of salt and lime, but it’s more than just doctor’s orders. Tequila has become an experience.
So, why spend National Tequila Day in Santa Fe? From daily gallery openings and showings to shopping and nightly excursions to the number of exceptional restaurants, there’s something here for everyone. Bars and lounges throughout the downtown districts of Santa Fe offer their tequila in many enticing ways. The local mixologists behind the bar turn tequila into art.
Experience beauty wherever you are in Santa Fe!
Quick, Fun, and Fresh!
Del Charro
Nicknamed “Santa Fe’s Watering Hole,” Del Charro provides a cool, historical portrait of Old Santa Fe. Behind the heavy wooden doors waits an attentive staff who are quick to serve exquisite food and drink. Standard fare like the house margarita—made with El Jimador Reposado Tequila, real lemon, and lime juice—are served daily! With two daily food specials to boot, Del Charro offers a classic Santa Fe experience. Not into a margarita on the rocks? No problem—they also serve Mexican Mules, the irresistible combination of ginger beer, agave nectar, tequila, and lime. Seat yourself on the enclosed back patio year round!
Anything pairs well with a house margarita at Del Charro!
Cowgirl BBQ
With weekday happy hour lasting from 3–-6, and live music daily, Santa Fe’s Cowgirl serves up BBQ with a side of imaginative drink options. Boasting a 100% agave margarita, Cowgirl offers reposado tequila with triple sec and fresh lime and lemon juice. Want something new? Try a Lava Lamp: a frozen dollop of margarita in a pint of Lagunitas Pilsner.
Whether at a patio table or stretched across the colorful bar, Cowgirl is sure to whet your whistle!
El Paseo Bar and Grill
El Paseo is a favorite for locals and visitors alike! Here, the only thing that equals the happy hour margaritas are the happy hour tacos, both served daily. With a homey, classic Santa Fe interior and a broad choice of both food and drink items, El Paseo has something to satisfy any craving. Try the Razzarita, made with Hornitos tequila, a dash of Chambourd, fresh lime and orange juices––shaken, not stirred!
El Paseo provides high-class drinks in a comfortable, old-school bar experience.
Smooth Class
The Bell Tower Bar at La Fonda on the Plaza
From the rooftop of the posh La Fonda on the Plaza, you can quench your summer thirst at The Bell Tower Bar. Open in good weather, this bar plays host to its own specially made signature tequila—100% Blue Weber Agave Herradura Double Barrel Reposado from the village of Amatitan Jalisco, Mexico. The Double Barrel is known for this house-special tequila, but be sure to try the Silver Coin made with Herradura silver tequila and Patrón citrónge for a more classic taste. Or, amp up the spice and flavor of Santa Fe with The Bell Ringer: Tanteo jalapeño tequila, and jalapeño juice with triple sec.
Drinks with a perfect view at The Bell Tower Bar.
Secreto Lounge at the Hotel St. Francis
Secreto Lounge downtown changes their menu seasonally in order to bring you the award-winning “garden-to-glass” experience that made them famous. With unique wine lists and vintage cocktails, this is more than just a bar—it’s an experience. The Agave Way blends red grapes, New Mexican green chilé, Espolón Reposado Tequila, lime juice and agave nectar. Still feeling adventurous? Secreto’s Smoked Sage Margarita makes use of organic Republic Añejo Tequila, ’03 Brazilian orange liqueur, and lime juice, all sage smoked into the glass with a hickory smoked salt rim. Enjoy flavors as original as Santa Fe!
Give yourself all the comforts of relaxed, high-end living at the Secreto Lounge in Hotel St. Francis!
The Agave Lounge at the Eldorado Hotel
Voted Best Happy Hour 2015 in the Santa Fe Reporter, the Agave Lounge at the Eldorado Hotel serves happy hour food and drink every Monday through Friday from 4—7 pm. Pair kobe green chilé sliders with the La Casa: Sauza Blanco tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. The Agave also serves your choice of two delicious tequila flights.
Pair historical artifacts native to Santa Fe with a delicious La Casa margarita!
The Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
Share tequila tastings with friends (or strangers!) at The Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, one of the city’s most favorite hotels and bar. Chef Juan Bochenski pairs ceviche plates with Rosewood’s collection of premium tequilas. Both the bar and lounge areas serve different and frequently updated menus, making for a different but lasting experience with each visit!
Rotate your way through some of Mexico's most sought after flavors at the Rosewood Inn.Celebrate National Tequila Day, Your Way
With enough options to satisfy any palette, Santa Fe and National Tequila Day go together like lime and salt. Quench your thirst in The City Different, but be sure to pair your drink of choice with a view of the sunset. Now, that is truly something to celebrate!
