The tyranny of the margarita, has finally come to an end! … Well sort of, because I have to admit this is one regime I am not really ready to toss out of office. But now at least we have choice and a two party system is better for all involved.

Created by Arturo Jaramillo, owner of the Rancho de Chimayó restaurant in Chimayó New Mexico way back in 1965, this apple cider based cocktail offers a refreshing alternative.

Ready

• 1 ½ oz Tequila
• 1 oz unfiltered apple cider
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• ¼ oz crème de cassis

Set

• Highball Glass
• Stirrer
• Ice Cubes

Go

1. Pour ingredients over ice into a highball glass.
2. Stir and serve.

What you should know

Be sure to use good old fashioned unfiltered apple cider — it makes all the difference.

I first discovered this Tequila refresher in the terrific book How’s Your Drink?. The author, Eric Felten, points out that Tequila, like whisky is a difficult mixer. “Tequila has too much personality to be a versatile cocktail base. For all its quirks, or perhaps because of them, the spirit is perfect in a margarita, which is just about the only way American’s drink tequila.” Perhaps this cocktail will change that notion as it brings a delicious option to the fore.