_Photo by Laura Avila Photography_

Who knew that there were two tequila days a year — one on Cinco de Mayo and one this coming Thursday? Apparently Ortega 120 in Redondo Beach did as it’s launching its Tequila Flight Thursdays on July 24th in honor of the national holiday. Flights range in price from $10 to $20 depending on what you get — anejo, resposado, blanco/silver or oro/gold flights of Herradura, Casa Noble and Don Eduardo.

Tequila connoisseurs looking for something more than a simple taste have 120 different types of tequila to choose from behind the bar. And if you’re really fancy and meticulous, you can even record your tasting notes in a leather-bound tasting journal which is kept at the bar til your next visit.

However, for those impure at heart who like to mix it up, co-owner/tequila sommelier Demi Stevens has created a specialty tequila cocktail menu including the following:

• El Saguaro ($9): Partida Anejo, mixed berries, mint and agave nectar
• Eclipse Del Sol ($9): Partida Blanco, orange juice and grenadine
• La Paloma Negra ($9): Partida Resposado, 120 Lime Sour and Chambord
• Mi Corazon ($9): Corazon Blanco tequila, Citronage, 120 Lime Sour and cranberry juice

An Espicy Mango Margarita ($8) and Pomegranate Ginger Margarita ($9) are exotic and refreshing alternatives to the usual ‘rita.

Eesh, I may have to haul my biscochitos all the way to the beach for this one. Mmm, El Saguaro! And I still have to give that unusual-sounding horchata martini ($8) a try — that’s with horchata and Absolut vanilla.

FYI there’s a happy hour from 4-7pm weekdays with $5 Partida margaritas and $3-$5 appetizers.

Ortega 120
814 S. Pacific Coast Highway
Redondo Beach, California 90277
(310) 792-4120