Hibiscus Cocktail Cooler

This refreshing Hibiscus Cocktail Cooler recipe features tequila, Stolen Fruit mixer, and sparkling water.  

Did you know that July 24 is National Tequila Day? I know, I know: I mock all of these crazy national food days too. It seems every single day has at least four to five different types of food and/or drink you can celebrate, right?

But, I'm learning that they sometimes serve to help us learn to like what we thought we didn't like. Take tequila, for example.

For me, tequila brings up memories of college nights (okay fine, and sometimes days) that ended with me feeling like I had eaten the most spoiled, expired food in the world. Tequila was not my friend.

Over the past few years, I've started easing tequila back into my life. It's great with these Cantaloupe Margaritas and these tasty Tequila Mojitos, and can make a really great marinade for grilled chicken. And recently I've learned that it is possible to pair tequila with one of my favorite flavors: wine!

What? Yes, it's true! Today, I'm sharing a super refreshing, unique and absolutely tasty Mixology Monday cocktail recipe in honor of upcoming National Tequila Day with a drink that allows tequila to play a subtle role mixed with a robust combination of hibiscus and Grenache flavors.

Hibiscus Cocktail Cooler 

The Hibiscus Cocktail Cooler is something you can drink any season, but is especially enjoyable, I believe, during summer nights when the air starts to cool down just a bit. When you want to sit outside and breathe in the sweet summer air, maybe put on a lightweight sweater, and gaze up at the stars as they beam down at you from the night sky.

I made this cocktail with a new-to-me mixer that contains hibiscus and Grenache flavors. It's not as sweet as other mixers, which I appreciate, but the flavors are bold and elegant.

The kind folks at Stolen Fruit Cocktail Mixers sent me a set of their mixers to try recently. Created by grape growers and a chef from Sonoma County, one of my favorite wine countries , Stolen Fruit products are grape-based, non-alcoholic mixers that go well paired with or without alcohol. I was impressed by the creative flavor combinations and the versatility of the mixers.

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If you want to learn more about Sonoma County, California wine country, be sure to read about my recent visit with Rodney Strong Vineyards, Where to Eat in Sonoma County, Jordan Estate Winery, and the gorgeous Vintner's Inn. 

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I decided to combine the Stolen Fruit Hibiscus and Grenache Mixer with some añejo tequila that I had, along with some lime juice and sparkling water, and lo and behold, it turns out that Stolen Fruit already had a recipe written up with those exact same ingredients! Great minds, eh? ;)

I love the idea that enjoying this hibiscus cocktail cooler allows you to be a bit of a rebel (read: NOT having a classic margarita on National Tequila Day) while still celebrating along with friends.

Or, you could try one of Stolen Fruit's other unique cocktail mix combos – such as Fig Grains of Paradise Zin, Blood Orange Muscat, Lemongrass Ginger Sauvignon Blanc, or Jasmine Juniper Viognier. Which flavor sounds most appealing to you?

Hibiscus Cocktail Cooler Recipe

More Cocktail Bliss

• Be My Clementine Sparkling Wine Cocktail
• Skinny Girl Cocktails Golden Globes Party
• Watermelon Mojito Cocktail

Thanks to Stolen Fruit for sending me a set of their cocktail mixers to try in Mixology Monday recipes. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.