Tequila Cocktails – 15 of the Best to Enjoy
If you ask me what my favourite spirit would be, I would say vodka. But if you asked me my second-favourite, then tequila would be a close candidate. I don’t know what it is about it that I enjoy (I’m not even sure it is the taste) but mixed with the right stuff, tequila cocktails are a favourite.
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I don’t like tequila shots, with salt and lime or anything like that. I want to enjoy the taste, weird as it is. If you are like me, then these tequila cocktails will be ideal for you too!
What is tequila?
Tequila is from Mexico, but it isn’t the one with the worm in it. In fact, if someone offers you a bottle of something called tequila and there’s a worm in it, run a mile. Mezcal, on the other hand, does sometimes have a worm in it, technically the larvae of the mariposa butterfly which feeds on the plant.
Tequila does come from the state of Jalisco but also from a few other places around the country and is still the real deal. Yes, there’s a place called Tequila as well, which is quite cool unless they don’t actually make tequila in which case it is just misleading.
Tequila is made from the blue agave plant but there’s only a requirement for it to be 51% blue agave. Tequila comes in different colours to indicate its age ranging from the youngest, silver stuff through to golden and even more mature drinks. Older is stronger, more alcohol and obviously more expense.
Best classic tequila cocktails
I always believe in starting your exploration of any spirit and its cocktails with the classics. These tequila cocktails have been around for a long time, have often spawned many variations and are the best place to start your tequila experience.
Margarita
If there’s a clearer association than between tequila and margarita in the cocktail world, I’m not sure what it is. Sure, there are hundreds of different types of margarita but they all contain tequila in some way.
Margarita means ‘daisy’ in Spanish and is a simple drink that uses 3.5cl tequila to 2cl orange liqueur such as Cointreau and 1.5cl lime juice. Add it all to a shaker with ice then strain into a margarita glass. Classically you rim the glass with salt but I’m not a fan.
Tequila sunrise
This might just be my favourite tequila cocktail and is certainly fresh and tasty. It comes from the 1970 when it was created from an older drink and named for its colours of orange and yellow.
You need 4.5cl tequila, 9cl orange juice and 1.5cl grenadine syrup. Add the tequila and orange to a tall glass then add the grenadine which sinks to the bottom. Stir a little to create the sunrise effect and garnish with a cherry and orange slice.
Bloody Maria
We’ve all heard of the Bloody Mary, the classic vodka cocktail but the Bloody Maria is the tequila version. It is one that comes with a serious bite and isn’t on my list but if you like your cocktails powerful even without the alcohol content, try this one.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 4 oz tomato juice
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 2 dashes Tapatio hot sauce
- ½ tbsp prepared horseradish
- 1 pinch celery salt
- 1 pinch ground pepper
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, strain into a pint glass with more ice and garnish with a lime and lemon wedge, a cucumber spiral and a skewer of sweet pepper, jalapeno and queso fresco slices. Ouch.
Matador
If you like the simplicity of the margarita, then the Matador will also appeal. It is also a very ‘Mexican’ drink as it uses three products from the country.
Add 1.5 parts silver tequila with 3 parts pineapple juice and the juice of half a lime to a shaker with ice then strain into a cocktail glass. You can also use sour mix in place of the lime juice or serve in a champagne flute.
Tequila Slammer
Remember I said I don’t like shots? Well I don’t but here’s one of the best known ones if you do. All you need is one part tequila to one part fizzy soda such as 7UP, Sprite, ginger ale or Mountain Dew. Mix carefully so you don’t de-fizz the soda.
If you want a taller drink, it is known as a Slammer Royale and a champagne flute and lemonade is used.
The Paloma
Another simple one, the Paloma (dove in Spanish) is simple mixing one part tequila with three parts grapefruit soda such as Jarrotiso or Squirt and garnishing with a lime wedge. If you can’t get grapefruit soda (which I’ve never seen before) you can add grapefruit juice and club soda to give the fizz.
You can also use pink grapefruit to get a Pink Paloma – very summery! Or for a sparkling version, make it with prosecco.
Tequila Sour
Like the Whiskey Sour, the Tequila Sour is a sour tasting drink that uses a little something different.
You take 1.5 ounces of tequila with ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice and ¼ ounce fresh lime juice. Add ¾ ounce light agave nectar and one egg white. Add to a shaker without ice and strain into a rock glass then garnish with three drops of Angostura bitters.
Juan Collins
The Tom Collins is the origins of this drink and you use 1.5 ounces tequila, 1 ounce lemon juice and ½ ounce of agave nectar with a splash of club soda. Add ingredients to a Collins glass over ice and add the soda then garnish with lime and a cherry.
Modern tequila favourites
The great thing about tequila cocktails is that as it has spread around the world and become more popular, there are loads of new ideas and new versions of the classic drinks. Here are a few that have caught my eye and gone on my ‘to-try’ list.
Blackberry sage smash
Grab your muddler for this cocktail – you need 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce grapefruit juice, 3 large blackberries, 8 sage leaves and 2 sugar cubes. Muddle the sage, berries and sugar in a cocktail shaker then add the juice and tequila with crushed ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a sage lead.
Cranberry Margarita
I mentioned those hundreds of margarita variations, well here’s one that just shouts Christmas party for me.
Take 3 ounces tequila, 2 ounces Cointreau, 2 ounces cranberry juice and 3 tbsp lime juice. Fill a shaker with ice and the ingredients then strain into a glass. You also need to make some rosemary garnishes by threading 3 fresh cranberries onto rosemary stems. Garnish the glass and add a lime wedge.
Jalisco Mule
The Jalisco Mule is named for the area of Mexico that tequila was originally for and uses the same mug to serve as the classic Moscow Mule.
It uses 60ml silver tequila, 90ml ginger beer and 15ml lime juice. Add to a mug with ice and top with the ginger beer then garnish with a lime wedge and candied ginger piece.
Margarita Punch
If you are having a party and you don’t want to make loads of individual tequila cocktails, then a punch style drink works well. This one uses:
- 1 bottle prosecco
- 1 bottle soda water
- 3 cups frozen strawberries
- 5 cups tequila
- 1 cup triple sec
- ½ cup lime juice
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 limes thinly sliced
- ¼ cup salt
In a large punch bowl, add the wine and the soda water. Blend the strawberries, tequila, triple sec and lime juice then add to the bowl. Top with the fresh limes and strawberries and stir.
Brave Bull
Lots of tequila cocktails have a fruity flavour to them but this one is a bit more grown up. It is a version of the Black Russian that mixes 2 ounces of silver tequila with 1 ounce Kahlua coffee liqueur. Add the tequila to an old fashioned glass with ice then add the Kahlua and swirl gently to combine.
Envy Cocktail
There’s something about blue cocktails that always attracts me and the simple flavours of this one make it a top item on the list to try. For the Envy Cocktail, you need 1.5 ounces silver tequila ½ ounce blue curacao and ¼ ounce pineapple juice. Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Tequila Mojito
This is another famous cocktail reinvented with a different base spirit. You need to make some sugar syrup for it or buy some from the shop first. Then you want to add some mint to it. Add 1 cup of lime juice to 2 cups lemon-lime soda like 7UP and ½ cup tequila. Stir to blend and add ice. Garnish with sprigs of mint and slices of lime.
Do you have a favourite tequila drink? Pop it in the comments!
More Tequila Cocktails and Drinks
Looking for more tequila drinks inspiration? Then check out these cocktail recipes
Classic cocktail with a winter flavour twist
A spicy and delicious version of the classic margarita made with watermelon
Check out this classic tequila cocktail and learn what makes it so tasty!
Try this twist on the classic Mexican tequila cocktail complete with plenty of fizz!
Wow these cocktails are really good. I would love to try the Cranberry Margarita! Thanks for sharing ♥️ ♥️ By any chance you are interested on doing collaborations, you can check out the collaborations portal of Phlanx.com and connect with amazing brands!
Xoxo,
Tiffany