The summer’s hottest European party destinations in the company of Don Julio 1942

Some things are synonymous with summer, from lunches beside the beach to cocktails at sunset and dinners beneath the stars. And flavours can transport you to far-flung shores before you’ve even stepped foot on the plane. Wherever you’re travelling this season – boho Ibiza, glam Mykonos, chic Split – there’s nothing like starting your holiday early with a bottle of exquisite Don Julio 1942. Throughout July and August, the legendary tequila is kick-starting a summer of celebrations with a pop-up at Heathrow’s T5 offering travellers a chance to try and buy ahead of their flights – sure to get you in the spirit of things. 

Launched by Don Julio González in 2002 in Mexico to mark 60 years of generational tequila-making, 1942 is painstakingly crafted using only the finest Blue Weber agave plants – hand-selected and harvested, no less – and aged in American oak barrels for at least two and a half years to develop its rich, distinctive taste. The result? A sweet and smooth sip with captivating notes of caramel, vanilla, and hints of chocolate and spicy oak undertones. If you could bottle the spirit of the season, this would be it – its warming aftertaste recalls the lazy days and heady nights of summer.

Here, we serve up the best European destinations for enjoying your new favourite tequila with similarly discerning friends, safe in the knowledge that you can carry on the celebrations with your own bottle when you return home. It’s time to raise a glass. 

Scorpios, Mykonos 

With recent visitors including Chris Hemsworth, Matt Damon, Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans, it’s hardly surprising that Mykonos – the star-studded island in the Cyclades – has attracted a clutch of decadent bars and clubs to accommodate its discerning clientele. Case in point is Scorpios, owned and run by Soho House, a seriously chic beach club that takes you from long, decadent lunches to late-night DJ sets. The surroundings are suitably lavish, albeit bleached woods and crisp linens, rather than glitz and glamour. Naturally, Don Julio 1942 provides a welcome change of pace after rosé all day, and it plays a starring role in the riders of many visiting celebrities. Team it with a prime spot on the terrace, perched on the southernmost point of the island, to watch the sun sink behind the shimmering Aegean. 

El Chiringuito, Ibiza  

While Mykonos is certainly having a moment, Ibiza remains a permanent fixture on the European party circuit, with each summer bringing with it hot new places to hang out and celebrate with friends. But a stalwart on the scene is undoubtedly El Chiringuito, a contemporary take on the traditional beach restaurant amidst the dunes of El Cavallet beach, drawing a mixed crowd for its Bohemian interiors (all swinging hammocks, rough-hewn woods and soft linens), locally-sourced Mediterranean food – from tuna tartare and fattoush salad to sea bass in salt and suckling lamb shoulder – plus a roster of regular DJs setting the stage for another sultry sunset. A nightcap of Don Julio 1942 is the perfect accompaniment to rounding-out yet another spectacular day on the White Isle.

Mistral Beach Club, Split 

Lesser-known than big-hitters Hvar and Dubrovnik, Split might just be Croatia’s best-kept secret, while surprisingly being its second-biggest city. It lays claim to a prime location on the Adriatic coast, which is where one of the best places to party can be found in the whitewashed form of Mistral Beach Club. Glamorous groups could do worse than to check out – and check in to – one of the VIP West Wing Lounges with room for no fewer than a dozen designer-clad revellers. Make the most of the bottle service with a round of Don Julio 1942 before getting stuck into a colourful menu of Mediterranean classics that includes everything from tuna tartare to pan-seared octopus. A daily DJ spinning the decks ensures the celebratory atmosphere continues from lunch till late. 

Nikki Beach, Marbella

Celebrating 25 years since it singlehandedly invented the day party, Nikki Beach Marbella is the last word in luxury when it comes to gathering with your nearest and dearest this summer – its beachside resort is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of pleasure in the prestigious neighbourhood of Elviria (15 minutes from the centre of Marbella). A range of premium experiences are available to those with the means, from a VIP pool bed for six guests to a Champagne cabana for ten, but everyone gets to enjoy the regional cuisine seasoned with international flavours, from chicken satay and red snapper papillote to Iberico pizzetta and sushi boats. Champagne with sparklers? So last year. Instead, order a bottle of Don Julio 1942 for the table, and your vibe will certainly attract your tribe. Check out the exciting roster of regular events for entertainment to suit your taste and mood, whether that means live DJs, saxophonists or dancers.

Bagatelle, Saint-Tropez

With destinations everywhere from New York and London to Dubai and Miami, Bagatelle has become a byword for unbridled hedonism, being famed for exceptionally wild parties and seriously outrageous entertainment. Nestled amongst a collection of more subdued bars and clubs in Saint-Tropez in the south of France, Bagatelle stands out from the crowd for all the right reasons, providing somewhere for the jet set to congregate after touching down to really let their hair down. And let their hair down they do, helped by an ethos of joie de vivre that extends from the vibrant Mediterranean dishes to an exciting schedule of entertainment and the extravagant cocktail menu, which includes the iconic Don Julio 1942 to really help get the party started. 

For more inspiration and information, visit donjulio.com

Drink responsibly. For the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk