Wednesday, July 24th is National Tequila Day, where we pause to celebrate the 100% blue agave spirit we've all come to love… once we got over the bad habit of doing shots of it in college until we forgot how to use the knob on our dorm room door…

To help you honor tequila this year, try one of these traditional cocktails, long popular on Mexico, and perfect to showcase tequila's unique flavors. First is the Sangrita. Popular in Mexico since the 1920's, before tequila was even a common drink in the rest of the world, the sangrita is a spicy drink you enjoy while alternating it with sips of tequila. In this recipe from Hornitos, the sangrita gets its spicy punch from hot sauce and garlic, balanced with a refreshing squeeze of lime.

You should also try Sauza's Prickly Pear Margarita, with a hint of sweetness from the cactus puree, and their Sparkling Mexican Madras that takes the traditional and adds a south-of-the-border twist. Any will turn just another ordinary Wednesday into a tequila fiesta. Just wait until after work to celebrate. I'm not sure National Tequila Day is a paid holiday.

Hornitos Not Just Any Sangrita

(Serves 6)

6 Parts Hornitos Plata Tequila

5 Parts Tomato Juice

5 Parts Pineapple Juice

1 Part Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice

Teaspoon of Hot Sauce

1 Pinch of Salt

4 Mexican Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 Teaspoon Crushed Garlic

Mix ingredients 2-8 well; chill in the fridge. (For best flavor, make a day before serving.)

Serve in a tall shot glass.

Serve your Sangrita with shots of Hornitos Plata Tequila.

Sip alternately.

Sauza Prickly Pear Margarita

(Serves 8)

8 parts Sauza Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila

4 parts JDK & Sons O3 Premium Orange Liqueur

1 can Frozen Limeade

6 parts Prickly Pear Cactus Puree or Juice

4 cups Crushed Ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Pulse until all the ice is completely blended.

Taste and add sugar or lime juice if you want more sweet or sour.

Pour into salt-rimmed margarita glasses and garnish with a lime wedge.

Sauza Sparkling Mexican Madras

(Serves 1)

2 parts Sauza Sparkling Wild Berry Margarita

2 parts orange juice

3 parts cranberry juice

Lime wheel

Build over ice in a Collins glass. Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim.