July 11, 2010 marked the 50th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Published July 11, 1960. It has been named the "Best Novel of the 20th Century" by the Library Journal poll of American librarians.
Gregory Peck won his first best actor Oscar for his film portrayal of Atticus Finch, a small-town lawyer in the Deep South who defends a black man unjustly accused of raping a white woman.
Celebrations go on nationwide all summer, including in Monroeville, Alabama where Harper Lee grew up just a few blocks from the old county courthouse. The courthouse hosts a marathon reading from the book, silent auctions, a walking tour of the town. A birthday party on the courthouse lawn will feature Monroeville’s version of Tequila Mockingbird.
Here are several versions of the drink. Choose one (or more) for your own celebration. Unless otherwise noted, recipes are for a single serving.
Tequila Mockingbird with Crème de Menthe and Lime
Crème de Menthe (France’s famous mint liqueur) flavors the most common version of Tequila Mockingbird. Lemon is sometimes used in place of lime.
Ingredients:
- 1½ ounces Tequila
- 3/4 ounce green Crème de Menthe
- juice of 1 limes (alternate: lemon)
- soda water (optional)
Method:
- Shake ingredients with ice and strain into cocktail glass
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint leaf, if desired.
Tequila Mockingbird recipe with Fresh Nectarines
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ripe nectarines, chopped
- 2 ounces sweet-sour mix
- 1/4 ounce vodka
- 1/4 ounce gin
- 1/4 ounce light rum
- 1/4 ounce tequila
- 1 tbs. sugar
- 1 scoop crushed ice
Method:
- Blend nectarines, sweet sour mix, liquors, sugar and ice together until smooth.
Layered Tequila Mockingbird Recipe with Orange Juice
Ingredients for each serving:
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- 1/2 ounce triple sec
- 1/2 ounce blue Curacao
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
Method:
- Fill a large glass with ice.
- Layer tequila and triple sec first, followed by orange juice, then cranberry, then blue Curacao.
- Do not stir.
Florida’s Blended Tequila a Mockingbird
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce tequila
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1/2 ounce Galliano
- 1/4 ounce banana liqueur
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce fresh orange juice
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 ounce grenadine
- 1/2 ounce fresh cream
Method:
- Blend and serve over crushed ice.
Tequila Mockingbird with Apple Cider
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple cider
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces Crème de Cassis (France’s black currant-flavored liqueur)
- 2 tsp fresh lime juice
- ice
Method:
- Pour apple cider, tequila, black currant-flavored liqueur and lime juice over ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well. Pour contents including ice into 2 old -fashioned glasses.
Tequila Mockingbird with Limoncello
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce Limoncello
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 2 drops Angostura bitters
- ½ ounce simple syrup (or more to taste)
- 1 lemon twist, for garnish
Method:
- Fill a Margarita glass with ice to chill and set aside.
- Combine the tequila, limoncello, lemon juice, bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Add the simple syrup, adding more to taste. Strain the drink into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.
Larry Ervin - Foodie, self-taught cook and cookbook addict, I never met a recipe I didn't want to twist, simplify, add or switch out ingredients.
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