Too Hot? Try One Of These Super Tasty Texas Tonics

Day drinking in Texas is one way to escape the summer heat, especially if you're enjoying one of these namesake Texas drinks.

I'm a beer guy myself and, while Shiner Bock is a proudly Texas brewed brew, I haven't found a beer with the word Texas in its name that I like yet. I'll stick to Shiner Blonde for now and just pretend Texas is in there somewhere.

As for mixed drinks, there are plenty of those named for Texas and made with all kinds of different liquors. Some are super easy to make while others require a little "bartend-ability".

Of course, they can all be "tweaked" a bit to make them your own. Here are a few using the 3 most popular liquors and 1 that has just about all of them in it:

Tequila - Classic Texan Margarita

Other than just doing a shot ... like a true Texan ... Margaritas are probably the easiest tequila drink to make. Mix up tequila, some lime juice and an orange liqueur like  Cointreau or Triple Sec; shake it and pour it into a salt rimmed glass.

Easy Peasy but don't bother looking for Texas tequila ... genuine tequila can only be made in Mexico.

Vodka - Lone Star Lemonade

Moderately simple. Mix 2oz of vodka, 1oz of lemon juice, 1/2oz honey syrup, (that's a 50/50 mix of honey and hot water) and top off the glass with club soda. If you're feeling fancy, you can add fresh mint and/or a lemon slice. Maybe some hot sauce too, this is Texas ya'll.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is totally made in Texas.

Whiskey - Texas Mule

For some reason, a copper mug is recommended for this blend of whiskey, (these are made in Texas), lime juice and ginger beer.

• 2 parts whiskey
• 2 ½ parts ginger beer
• 1/2 part lime juice

If you really want to get sloshed, this last one uses not only the big 3 liquors but adds in a couple of others 'cuz ... as we say in Texas ... "go big or go home", right? Figure out a designated driver and/or reserve an Uber, then knock back a couple of these.

Multiple Liquors - Texas Tea

This one takes 1/2 ounce EACH of silver tequila, whiskey. gin, white rum and vodka. (I got a buzz just typing that.) Mix all that with 1/2 ounce of triple sec, 1oz sour mix, 2oz of cola and garnish it with a lemon wedge.

Enjoy ...