For April, Nole made a special request to spend some time with agave spirits – Tequila and Mezcal and the like. I can’t say no to a request like that! Agave spirits are earthy and vegetal, but can also be fresh, bright, and fruity. Perfect for spring! And maybe some fun cocktails to consider for your Cinco de Mayo plans. We’re starting today with a play on the Margarita with blackberries and a citrusy Italian amaro that plays around with Tequlia’s versatile flavors: a Blackberry Tequila Smash. – Andrew

Blackberry Tequila Smash

2 oz Reposado Tequila
1 oz Lime
1/2 oz Orange Curacao
1/2 oz Aperol
1/2 oz Agave Syrup
4-5 Ripe Blackberries

Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and muddle the blackberries to a pulp. Add ice and shake well. Double-strain through a fine-meshed sieve or a tea strainer into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a few more fresh blackberries and enjoy!

Fresh and bright, this drink plays up the fruity, citrusy notes that lay behind the Tequila’s up-front vegetal agave notes. The sweet, tart blackberries are balanced out by the gently bitter flavors of the Aperol, a mild, orange flavored Italian bitter liqueur. A fun, fruity spin on the standard Margarita that we’ll be drinking here all April long.

(Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, where we’ve been posting our experiments before they make their way onto this column!)

Glassware by Liquorary

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper