STONED TEQUILA SUNSET - Tequila Sunrise Cocktail Riff

This is a tequila tweak on my Grapeful Dead Mojito.  I had some grapes - again - and thought I'd do a riff on my own cocktail, just for fun. Grapes are good for more than wine. They're sweet and juicy and make a great fruit to muddle in with some booze.

This cocktail was actually inspired by The Rolling Stones and their "cocaine and tequila sunrise" tour (aka the tour for their Exile on Main Street album) in 1972. Bill Graham introduced Mick Jagger to the Tequila Sunset at the kick-off party and Jagger liked it so much he drank it throughout the tour, hence that unofficial name.

I just had to go there and dance with the devil, so to speak.

The

STONED TEQUILA SUNSET   INGREDIENTS:
1-1/2 Oz. 1800 Tequila
1 Oz. Fresh Blood Orange Juice
2 Fresh Lime Quarters
4 Oz. Club Soda
Tablespoon Homemade Pomegranate Syrup
Fresh Purple Grapes, split in half
12 Leaves Fresh Basil
2 or 3 Large Ice Squares   GARNISH: Several Grapes, Lime Twist, Basil Sprig   TOOLS: Muddler, Bar Spoon, Straw   GLASS: Pint (Tall/Long) Glass   DIRECTIONS: Chill your glass in the freezer. Pop the basil in between your palm to release the oils. Muddle the basil, lime quarters and split grapes in the bottom of your glass to release grape and lime juice. Add your ice, pour the blood orange juice over the ice, add your tequila, soda and stir to mix. Top off with the pomegranate syrup, garnish and serve.     Try this with different style grapes and some other herbs. I think I'd like to try seedless white grapes with tarragon, maybe those cotton candy grapes with some mint. Be sure to play Exile on Main Street when you try it.   PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY Updated 5-2017