Guacamole Night with Piedra Azul Tequila

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A few weeks ago, I was contacted and offered a very difficult proposition to participate in a Dip and Sip Challenge. Basically, I had to make cocktails with Piedra Azul Tequila and compete in a guacamole challenge judged by Gaby Dalkin (Blogger at What's Gaby Cooking and Author of Absolutely Avocados). Did I say difficult? I meant delicious.

I promptly got on it and set up a Mexican night with some friends of ours. I brought the tequila (which was provided by Piedra Azul) and cocktail ingredients, some guacamole ingredients (courtesy of a Whole Foods gift card provided by What's Gaby Cooking), and my good old happy spirit. My girlfriend prepared a taco bar, quesadillas, and some taquitos.

When we arrived, the first order of business was cocktail making. My only guideline was to use the Piedra Azul Tequila we were provided, so I had carte blanche with other ingredients. Looking for something light and refreshing, I decided to create cucumber margaritas.

Before arriving, I juiced a few cucumbers to make sure we had the nutrients to combat the alcohol. I ended up with a huge bottle of cucumber juice. Keep in mind that you can easily use any pure juice in this recipe - so if you'd prefer Pomegranate Margaritas, just use Pomegranate juice instead of Cucumber. You get the idea.

I topped these margaritas with cilantro, and it was the perfect addition. But, I know some of you are not into cilantro (what's with the hate?), so feel free to omit!

Cucumber Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces tequila
• 3 ounces cucumber juice
• 3 ounces water
• 1 tsp Maple Syrup or Agave
• 1/2 lime
• Ice
• A few pieces of cilantro, ripped, for garnish

Directions:

1. Squeeze lime juice into shaker.
2. Use lime wedges to wet the edges of the glass. Dip in ice, if preferred (we didn't!).
3. Combine all remaining liquid ingredients in a shaker and shake. 
4. Pour over ice. 

Once the cocktails were made, we got down to the next order of business: Guaca-freaking-mole. It is one of my favorite things because I feel like you can do just about anything with it and justify it as "healthy" because avocados are all the rage in the health world.

I'm a bit disappointed with how these photos turned out, but I assure you that the guac was delicious. I always try to use feta or goat cheese, and combine it with garlic, so it tasted very rich.

Garlic Guacamole

Ingredients:

• 3 avocados
• 1/4 white onion, chopped
• 1 handful cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 3 tbsp hot, smoky salsa (or whatever works for you!)
• 1/3 cup Feta

Directions:

1. Mash avocados.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well

Once the cocktails were flowing and the guacamole was prepared, we dug into the taquitos and taco bar. My girlfriend makes a mean taco bar spread, and there was anything you could want in your taco! From shredded chicken to corn, from beans to carmelized onions, she had it all.

We may have been full, but we weren't ready to quit without using the quesadilla maker. My girlfriend made a few chicken and cheese quesadillas, and the men gobbled them down.

What About You?

• What's your secret Guacamole recipe?
• Have you ever gotten fancy with margaritas, or are you into the traditional recipe?

**Disclaimer: I was provided with a Whole Foods gift card and a bottle of tequila to write this post. Don't worry, though - it was all just as good as it looks!**