Tequila gets a bad rap. It probably stems back from the college years when taking shots of Jose Cuervo, licking salt off your hand and sucking on a lime was like a right of passage. Ugh. The thought of that makes me queasy.

These days I’m not so much worried about the “freshman fifteen” as I am the 36-year-old fupa so I’ve changed up my how and what I drink. I’ve gone from having five or so beers on a night out to having maybe two beers and sipping on some tequila, neat. Or perhaps I’ll have an Aperol Spritz followed by a tequila soda. And I’ll tell you what…since I’ve started on tequila, signs of a hangover have diminished greatly.

I have always been a fan of a good skinny margarita. No mixers, just some lime, agave nectar, and a salted rim. A couple summers back I was playing with this idea when I created something with a little more kick.

It’s almost as if the rim of a Michelada made out with a tequila soda and voila! The Spicy Tequila Spritz was born!

Now, before I tell you how to make this delightfully refreshing cocktail, let’s discuss the fact that there are some health benefits to drinking tequila – yes you read that right. Tequila has been hailed as being one of the better alcohols to sip on. Here is what I have gathered about our desert dwelling spirit:

Tequila can:

Aid in digestion.

Aid in weight loss. Sweet!

Help cut the risk of dementia. Someone pass me four shots of tequila stat.

Promote bone health. Take a hike, osteoporosis!

It’s advised that blanco is the healthier of tequilas and definitely steer clear of mixes which can be high in sugar and artificial flavor. Blah.

Well, with all those health benefits – it’s time to whip up a spicy tequila spritz and toast to good health! Here is what you need.

Ingredients:

Tequila (love Espolòn, Casa Amigos, and Patron Silver)

Tajin

Club Soda

Half of a lime

Ice

Directions:

Place the Tajin in a saucer to rim your glass.

Take a paper towel, fold it in fours, moisten it and swivel the rim of your glass in it. You can also just wet it under the faucet.

Once the rim is wet, coat the entire rim of your glass with Tajin. (If you hate Tajin, use margarita salt and whip up yourself a Skinny Margarita)

Fill with ice.

Squeeze at least a half lime into your glass.

Pour 1.5 ounces of your tequila into the glass.

Top with club soda.

Stir, sip, & enjoy!!!

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