Shake Up Your National Tequila Day: Riverboat-Inspired Cocktails You Can Make at Home! 

Two colorful tequila cocktails, the Mississippi River Sunrise and Sparkling Paloma, on a table.


Get ready to raise a glass because National Tequila Day is just around the corner on July 24! And as we like to say, take life with a grain of salt, a lime, and a margarita in hand, because this day deserves a proper cheers! While the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are celebrating in style with a dockside happy hour full of bold flavors, bright cocktails, and unbeatable riverfront vibes, we’re also sharing a little piece of the riverboat magic for you to enjoy at home. 

During our special dockside happy hour on Thursday, July 24, 2025, our bar will be shaking up a limited-time lineup of tequila-forward favorites, including a Prickly Pear Margarita (a delicious twist on the classic with a sweet and slightly tangy flavor and an iconic bright pink color that practically begs for a photo op!). We’ll also be serving our classic Mississippi River Sunrise and a citrusy Cuervo Sparkling Paloma. 

But for those of you who want to get a head start on the festivities, we’re giving you the inside scoop on how to craft two of our refreshing tequila concoctions right in your own kitchen! 

Mix Up a Mississippi River Sunrise 

This vibrant drink is like a summer sunset over the water – beautiful and refreshing. 

What you’ll need: 

  • Hornitos Tequila 
  • Peach Schnapps 
  • Orange Juice 
  • Grenadine 

How to make it: 

  1. Fill a glass with ice. 
  1. Add 1.5 oz Hornitos Tequila. 
  1. Pour in 0.5 oz Peach Schnapps. 
  1. Top with 4 oz Orange Juice. 
  1. Slowly drizzle 0.5 oz Grenadine into the glass. It will sink and create that beautiful “sunrise” effect. 
  1. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry and enjoy the view! 

Craft a Cuervo Sparkling Paloma 

Light, citrusy, and bubbly – the Paloma is a true crowd-pleaser and a fantastic alternative to a traditional margarita. 

What you’ll need: 

  • Tequila (we use Cuervo at the dockside bar!) 
  • Grapefruit Juice 
  • Lime Juice 
  • Grenadine 
  • Sparkling water or club soda (optional, for extra fizz!) 

How to make it: 

  1. Fill a glass with ice. 
  1. Combine 2 oz Tequila, 3 oz Grapefruit Juice, and 0.5 oz Lime Juice in the glass. 
  1. Add a splash (about 0.25 oz) of Grenadine for a hint of color and sweetness. 
  1. Stir gently. 
  1. Optional: Top with a splash of sparkling water or club soda for a little effervescence. 
  1. Garnish with a lime wedge or grapefruit slice. Cheers to that! 

While these recipes will get your home celebration off to a great start, there’s nothing quite like toasting summer from the breezy dockside bar with unbeatable views of the Gateway Arch. So, after you’ve mastered these at home, come down and join us on National Tequila Day, Thursday, July 24, 2025 for our special dockside happy hour and experience the full “fiesta and float” vibe with our exclusive Prickly Pear Margarita!

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