Ask An OC Bartender: Your Best Tequila Cocktail

As a bartender at Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen in Brea, Sara Barajas has churned out some of the most delicious drinks in Orange County. Sara started tending bar with no prior experience or training other than what she learned while working at Bucca di Beppo. While she enjoys the house margarita at Cha Cha's, it's not the only tequila cocktail she creates when she's behind the bar. With these recipes, she shows that tequila is more than just a beverage to be consumed in mass quantities on Cinco de Mayo. It is a versatile beverage that mixes well with fruit for a refreshing cocktail. Here are some of her favorite tequila cocktails to create - and they might be new favorites with you.

Fusion is a word that gets used a lot when describing cuisine. Cha Cha's - as the name says - is a Latin kitchen. While you will find a lot of dishes here that you can find in other places, you won't find them prepared the same way here. For example, calamari isn't an uncommon dish, but here you will find it prepared with Mexican spices and served with lime-cilantro aioli. Cha Cha's also has dishes you just won't find anywhere - like a salad of heirloom tomatoes and watermelon that is served with goat cheese and cilantro and topped with a chile vinaigrette that gives the dish a nice spice note. Any time is a good time for a meal at Cha Cha's. You're guaranteed to find something you like and things that you know you want to try on future visits. That being said, Sunday brunch is an especially good time to visit. You can enjoy great Latin dishes - plus bottomless mimosas for an additional $6 - all while a live Latin band plays.

• 1-1/2 ounces Pueblo Viejo Tequila
• 1/2 ounce fresh mango puree
• 1 ounce sweet & sour mix (Cha Cha's is made in the restaurant)
• 3/4 ounces house-made habanero syrup
• 4 leaves fresh mint

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add all the ingredients to the shaker, and shake well.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Watermelon Margarita (Seasonal)

• 1-1/2 ounces El Jimador Blanco tequila
• 2 ounces fresh house-made watermelon juice
• 1/2 ounce hibiscus tea
• 1/2 ounce house-made black-pepper agave nectar
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• pinch of Kosher salt

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add all the ingredients to the shaker, and shake well.
3. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a slice of fresh watermelon.

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Pepino Martini

• 1-1/2 ounces of Gran Centenario Blanco tequila
• 3 slices of fresh cucumber
• 1/2 ounce Yellow Chartreuse liqueur
• dash of celery bitters
• 3/4 house-made sweet & sour
• 1/4 ounce agave nectar

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add all the ingredients to the shaker, and shake well.
3. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with a slice of fresh cucumber.

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