On its own, tequila, a Mexican spirit distilled from the blue agave plant, is smooth, sweet, earthy, and a bit fruity. While tequila enthusiasts love this taste, this spirit is quite versatile—it’s the star of various creative and refreshing cocktails.
From the classic Margarita to the Mexican favorite Paloma, there’s a tequila cocktail out there to suit every taste palette.
Let’s explore some of the best tequila cocktails that will elevate a simple, relaxing night in your home or your next gathering.
The Classic Margarita
You simply can’t explore the world of tequila cocktails without giving the Classic Margarita its due. This iconic blend perfectly mixes tequila's bold, smooth essence with the fresh zing of lime and the subtle sweetness of triple sec. Serving up Classic Margaritas is a surefire way to add a touch of sophistication and zest to any gathering.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Approximately 5 minutes
Equipment needed:
Cocktail shaker
Old-fashioned glass (alternatively, a lowball or stemmed margarita glass)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz high-quality tequila (Blanco tequila for a crisp taste or Reposado tequila for more depth)
1 oz orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau recommended)
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
Ice
Coarse salt (for rimming the glass)
1 lime wedge for garnish
Optional: 1/2 oz agave nectar or simple syrup for added sweetness, to taste
Directions:
- Chill the glass by placing it in the freezer for 10–15 minutes or by filling it with ice water (discard before using).
- In a cocktail shaker, half-filled with ice, add the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake the mixture for about 20 seconds. If you’re using a sweetener, add it now and shake for an additional 10 seconds.
- Prepare your glass. Pour salt onto a small plate. Run the lime wedge around the rim of the chilled glass and dip the top into the salt.
- Fill the glass with fresh ice and strain the drink into it.
- Garnish with a wedge of lime, and enjoy your margarita.
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Mix It Up: Margaritas are arguably one of the most versatile cocktails. They’re amazing with different tropical fruits, so try your hand at crafting different tropical margarita cocktails. |
Sipping on Tequila Sunrise
While the Margarita showcases the versatility of tequila, the Tequila Sunrise presents a different narrative altogether. This cocktail, reminiscent of a beautiful sunrise, combines the distinct, earthy taste of tequila with the fresh sweetness and tartness of orange juice. The addition of grenadine creates a visually stunning layer to the Tequila Sunrise that also infuses a hint of cherry-like sweetness.
The result is a visually striking and tasteful cocktail that is as enjoyable to gaze upon as it is to sip—perfect for any summer occasion or when you’re in the mood for something refreshing and fruity.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Approximately 3–6 minutes
Equipment needed:
Highball glass
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila (preferably Blanco tequila for its crisp and bright flavor)
4 oz fresh orange juice (for the best flavor)
1/2 oz grenadine syrup
Ice
Optional: Maraschino cherry and orange or pineapple slice for garnish
Directions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour the tequila over the ice.
- Add the orange juice to the glass.
- Slowly pour the grenadine syrup over the back of a spoon or directly into the glass to create the sunrise effect. The grenadine should sink to the bottom.
- Garnish with a slice of orange or pineapple and a maraschino cherry.
- Stir the drink before enjoying to mix the flavors of your Tequila Sunrise.
Mexico’s Favorite: Paloma
If you’ve ever set foot in Mexico, you’ve likely encountered the Paloma, a tequila-based cocktail that’s as refreshing as it is popular. This citrusy concoction, typically served in a salt-rimmed glass, perfectly balances the smokiness of tequila with the tanginess of grapefruit.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Approximately 5 minutes
Equipment needed:
Cocktail shaker
Highball glass (or an old-fashioned glass)
Ingredients:
1–2 oz tequila (Blanco or silver tequila recommended)
4 oz grapefruit juice
4 oz sparkling water (or club soda)
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz agave syrup (or simple syrup or honey)
Optional: Kosher salt for rimming the glass and grapefruit slice for garnish
Directions:
- Rim the glass with salt by rubbing a lime or grapefruit wedge around the rim and dipping it into a plate of kosher salt. This step is optional.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar with ice.
- Stir the mixture until the shaker is frosted (do not shake as it contains sparkling water).
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
- Top with sparkling water to your preference.
- Garnish with a grapefruit slice if desired, and serve immediately.
Brunch with Bloody Maria
The Bloody Maria is a brunch-time favorite that reinvents the classic Bloody Mary with a tequila twist. This cocktail completely rethinks the drink, with the tequila’s earthy, peppery notes perfectly complementing the savory tomato juice and tangy citrus, creating a blend that’s flavorful, refreshing, and perfect for brunch.
Recipe
Serving size: 1 drink
Prep time: Approximately 5 minutes
Equipment needed:
Highball glass
Cocktail shaker or large cup for mixing
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila (Blanco or Reposado tequila)
4 oz tomato juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 dashes of hot sauce (Tabasco or similar)
A pinch of celery salt
A pinch of ground black pepper
Optional: Lemon wedge and celery stalk for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare the glass by running a lemon wedge around its rim and then dipping it in celery salt. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker or large cup, combine the tequila, tomato juice, lemon juice, horseradish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, and pepper. Mix together and taste. Adjust seasonings to taste as necessary.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge and a celery stalk if desired. Serve immediately.
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Rim Tip: Skip the celery salt and use Bartesian’s Zesty Lime Salt Rimmer instead. |
Iconic Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a classic cocktail known for its deceptively strong yet refreshingly sweet taste. Despite its name, this cocktail doesn’t actually contain any tea. It’s a potent mix of several liquors that surprisingly resembles the taste and color of iced tea. It’s a popular choice for various social events, especially summer gatherings.
Recipe
Serving Size: 1 drink
Prep Time: About 5 minutes
Equipment Needed:
Highball glass
Ingredients:
Vodka
Tequila
White rum
Gin
Cointreau (or another high-quality orange liqueur)
Lemon juice
Cola (for topping)
Ice
Directions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in equal parts of vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, and Cointreau.
- Add a splash of lemon juice.
- Stir the mixture well.
- Top the glass with cola for color and extra flavor.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge if desired.
Try These Other Delicious Tequila Cocktails
If you can’t get enough of your favorite spirit, try the tequila cocktails below. These range from classic and simple mixes to more elaborate and seasonal creations. Whether you prefer something sweet, spicy, or refreshing, there are plenty of tequila cocktail recipes for all tastes and occasions.
Greenhorn
This cocktail mixes blanco tequila, Midori (melon-flavored liqueur), and Suze (a French aperitif) and garnished with a green maraschino cherry—a unique blend of sweet and slightly bitter flavors.
Ranch Water
A Texas staple, this straightforward, refreshing cocktail is a simple mix of Topo Chico, Blanco tequila, and lime juice. It’s citrusy and delightfully sour.
Mexican Mule
This cocktail is the tequila version of the Moscow Mule, mixing tequila with lime juice and ginger beer. It’s spicy and refreshing.
El Diablo
This highball cocktail combines reposado tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice, and ginger beer, known for its bold berry and zingy lime flavors. It’s citrusy, rich, and spicy, with floral notes.
Siesta
This unique cocktail mixes tequila with Campari, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup for a refreshing drink with a hint of bitterness.
Cantarito
Similar to a Paloma, this cocktail includes tequila, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, grapefruit soda, and salt. Cantarito is typically served in a traditional clay cup and is refreshingly sweet, tangy, and bubbly.
Mexican Firing Squad
So named because of its bold, sharp, and slightly spicy flavors, this cocktail is typically made with tequila, lime juice, grenadine, club soda, and bitters.
Mexican Coffee
This tequila drink is velvety warm and inviting, combining the rich flavors of gold tequila and Kahlua with freshly brewed hot coffee, topped off with a dollop of whipping cream.
Create Effortless Tequila Cocktails at Home
Enjoy premium tequila cocktails at home with Bartesian’s cocktail maker—no more complex recipes and countless ingredients!
Simply fill the reservoir with your preferred tequila, pick a cocktail capsule of your choice—perhaps a Classic Margarita or a Tequila Sunrise—and tailor the strength to your liking. Press “Mix,” and within moments, you’ll have a professionally crafted tequila cocktail ready to sip and savor or serve and delight any tequila lover.
Ideal for hosting or unwinding solo, the Bartesian provides perfectly balanced tequila cocktails every time.