Looking for inspiration for your drink menus this holiday season, or for new drink menus for the coming year? Check out four of our favorites (which we think are especially appropriate for Mexican/Latin restaurants) from the list of 29 bar beverages deemed winners in Restaurant Hospitality’s Best Cocktail in America contest:
*Malaguena-Hibiscus Margarita at Olamendi’s Laguna, Laguna Beach, Calif. Olamendi’s Organic Tequila, house-made hibiscus water, a splash of orange juice and hint of serrano chile
*Tequila Mockingbird at Jeff Ruby’s Carlo & Johnny, Cincinnati. Cucumber-Jalapeno-infused Milagro Silver Tequila, pineapple shrub mixture, aged spice-rum mixture, lime juice and rum and orange bitters-soaked pineapple for garnish
*Guayaba Arabica at Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drink, Boston. Bacardi Superior Rum, guava puree, coffee-scented simple syrup, lime juice, cilantro leaves, pinch of salt and grated espresso beans for garnish
*Grilled Pineapple Daiquiri at The Painted Burro, Somerville, Mass. Privateer Silver Rum, grilled pineapple, agave syrup, lime juice, mescal rinse and pineapple sage garnish
For more details about and photos of the winning cocktails, visit