Ditch The Salt And The Lemon – Here Are Some New Ways To Enjoy Tequila

Are you stuck in a drink rut? Have you got a hankering to try something new? Tequila might be what you're looking for.

That might sound a bit hardcore to you, but hear us out! Forget any preconceptions you have of this particular drink, right now we're talking about top quality tequila casually enjoyed either neat, in a long drink or in cocktail form — it's a lot more versatile than you might have thought.

If you're tired of G&Ts being your go-to beverage, maybe you should give 'Patrónics' a try, which is Patrón mixed with tonic. The premium tequila has a smooth, citrusy flavour which is easily mixable.

In Dublin, you can taste a Patrónic yourself at Lemon and Duke on Duke Lane Upper — then you'll know see what we're talking about.

That's just one example of an interesting new way to use Patrón, but there's plenty more than that. Just last week the Patrón Tequila Cocktail Competition took place to determine who makes the best tequila cocktails across the country.

Bagging the top prize was David Kiernan of Candlelight Bar, Malahide with his concoction 'Sundown On 60 Hands', followed by Jack Connery of Peruke & Periwig, Dublin ('Philemon'), Richie Delahoyde of VCC Dublin ('The Happy Accident) and Pat Thomas of Zozimus, Dublin ('Jalisco Fizz').

Other contestants to make it to the finals included Aaron Mulvany of 5Rock in Skerries, Johnathan Callaghan of Skeff Late Bar in Galway and Gary Fitzpleasure of Bricklane in Cork.

So it's safe to say there's plenty of interesting tequila drinks on offer around Ireland.

Will you be giving Patrón a try this weekend?