Every summer it seems our Heartwood palates turn to agave spirits, particularly tequila. Maybe that’s because,  July 24th,  National Tequila Day is on the horizon. Maybe it’s because tequila seems so right for the coming Seattle sunshine. Or maybe, it’s just because the bar team at Heartwood Provisions needs an excuse. After all, the men and women mixing things up here seem to have a thing for tequila—and for tequila cocktails. Take note that Reed and one of her colleagues on the Heartwood Provisions beverage team (Michael Cadden) have won the Northwest Tequila Cocktail Competition during the past five years (which means that they know their stuff!).

How Heartwood Does Tequila Cocktails

To honor that passion for tequila, beverage director and agave lover, Amanda Reed decided to whip up some drinks. The result was anything but expected. Gone is the triple sec and lime juice. In their places come beets and blood oranges. In the end, Reed crafted three unique tequila cocktails that are definitely not margaritas. Two of these recipes are made for the DIY mixologist; one can also be found gracing the menu of our downtown Seattle restaurant.To honor that passion for tequila, beverage director and agave aficionado Amanda Reed and the bar team decided to whip up some drinks. The result was anything but expected. Gone is the triple sec and lime juice. In their places come beets and blood oranges. Sure, both give cocktails shockingly pretty, zero-preservatives coloring, but also offers these cocktails a hint of healthy benefits. While blood oranges are a great source of vitamin C, beets and beet juice are known to reduce hypertension and boost oxygen to the muscles and brain.
In the end, the team crafted three unique tequila cocktails that are definitely not margaritas. Two of these recipes are made for the DIY mixologist; one can also be found gracing the menu of our downtown Seattle restaurant.

Beets by Reed
2 oz Blanco Tequila
3/4 oz Salers Gentiane
1/2 oz Ancho Reyes Verde
3/4 oz Beet Jus*
3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice
2 oz Soda Water
Garnish: Dill

Combine all ingredients but soda and give it a quick shake. Strain cocktail into a Collins glass, add ice, top with soda and garnish.
Those not keen on juicing their own root vegetables can find Beets by Reed among the House Cocktails on Heartwood’s spring bar menu.

*Beet Jus
4 qt Raw Beets
8.8 oz Red Wine Vinegar
10 1/2 oz Red Wine
.70 oz Kosher Salt
21 oz White Sugar

Clean and quarter beets. Using a juicer or a blender, juice beets to one quart of juice. Combine juice with remaining ingredients and place in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until juice is reduced to half the volume.

DIY Tequila Cocktails

Bitter Blossom

1 ½ oz Blanco Tequila
¾ oz Aperol Apertivo
¾ oz Fresh Blood Orange Juice
½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
¼ oz Simple Syrup (1:1)
Garnish: Blood Orange Wheel

Combine all ingredients, shake, fine strain into a cocktail glass and garnish.
*grapefruit juice may be substituted instead when blood orange is not seasonally available

Simple Syrup

Here Comes the Sun

2 oz Reposado Tequila
3/4 oz Liquore Strega
½ oz Honey Syrup (1:1)
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
3 slices of Jalapenos
3 slices of Cucumber

Cut three slices each of cucumber wheels and jalapenos (cut out core and seeds, leave some seeds for extra spice). Add to mixing vessel along with juice, and muddle. Mix the rest of the ingredients, give it all a quick shake, and pour into a highball glass. Top off with ice.