On Sunday- July 26th, Meditterraneo restaurant and lounge turned into a scene straight out of ‘Cancun’.
It was Saxophones, good music, good food, the finest tequila, and great people; all gathered together to celebrate World Tequila Day.
The afternoon-into-night affair, dubbed the ‘Tequila Sundowner,’ was curated by the world’s first luxury tequila- Don Julio, and was attended by Kampala’s dons.
The experience was filled with sounds of ice against crystal; the hard hisses of a cocktail shakers, good music, conversations of friends and strangers cutting through till dusk.
Guests seemed to be on an exhibition of who best understood where tequila came from; they rocked sombreros, boots, and Mexican apparel, as had been demanded by the organisers.
At the centre of the experience stood an elegant Don Julio trolley, where the curious gathered in small circles around Reserve Ambassador- Steve Baguma. The trolley was an intimate classroom, where every guest got an opportunity to learn more about Don Julio, and then make their own cocktail from scratch, with guidance from Baguma.
Fresh pineapples were sliced with practiced precision, ice crackled into shakers, agave aromas mingled with bursts of citrus, while measured pours of Don Julio Blanco followed into ceramic cups.
Guests leaned in to learn the anatomy of a perfectly balanced Margarita, before discovering the refreshing lift of a Paloma and other tequila-forward creations that revealed the spirit’s remarkable versatility.
“Today, Don Julio is hosting its consumers to celebrate the World Tequila Day. Don Julio is crafted with incredible care, and every expression has its own personality. Once you understand the spirit, you begin to appreciate the craftsmanship behind every bottle,” Baguma said. “Our consumers have got an opportunity to create their own cocktails, enabling them to appreciate the complexity of tequila without overwhelming the palate,” he added.
And what is a good tequila experience without music? Latin Roots band, elevated the affair with a unique performance, that served Mexican vibes. Their set flowed effortlessly through Latin classics; each song carried by expressive vocals and a saxophone that invited movement almost instinctively.
One of the afternoon’s defining moments belonged to saxophonist- Daniel Oquiel, who repeatedly lowered his instrument mid-song and encouraged the audience to sing the next lines themselves. Hesitant voices would later become confident choruses, filling the venue with spontaneous joy, that blurred the line between performers and the audience.
“Latin music is everything for us, just like tequila,” said Jessica Abelo, a member of Latin Roots after their performance. “I am so happy to see Ugandans show love and appreciation for Latin culture. Sharing that feeling on World Tequila Day makes perfect sense, because- tequila, like music, brings people together around stories, celebration and community,” she added.
As daylight softened into evening, the celebration found a new pulse. Don Julio Core ambassador- DJ Dash eased the transition when he layered in vibrant EDM and Amapiano rhythms that drew even reluctant dancers onto the floor.
Then came DJ City Girl, who took over the decks with an eclectic blend of R&B and reggae, whose seamless mix stitched together genres and generations, creating a soundtrack where every transition felt effortless. The dancefloor remained full as cheers rose with every familiar chorus, glasses lifted in celebration.
When the night’s headliners- the producer and DJ duo- 2woBunnies, took to the decks, the night had reached its exhilarating crescendo. Their signature fusion of Amapiano and Afro-electronic set, wrapped around the venue with irresistible momentum, each beat inviting another wave of movement. Arms rose into the air, phones glowed as memories were captured, and no one seemed eager to acknowledge that the evening would eventually come to an end.
For Judie Nandekya the Senior Brand Manager for Tequila and Rum East Africa, the experience was the gist of celebrating World Tequila Day. “World Tequila Day is an opportunity to celebrate tequila and everything about it. It is an opportunity for us to introduce people to the traditions, craftsmanship and versatility behind tequila in a way that feels authentic and welcoming,” Nandekya said.
“Today is special because we have given our consumers new ways to understand and appreciate tequila. We know that when great cocktails, live music, meaningful conversations and responsible enjoyment come together, they create experiences that people genuinely remember,” she added.
As the final notes faded into the Kampala night, what lingered was the feeling of having travelled to Mexico, without ever leaving Kampala. In bringing together craftsmanship, culture, music and luxury celebration, World Tequila Day became areminder that the most memorable journeys are often not only measured in miles travelled, but in moments shared.
