13 must try tequila cocktails

13 Must-Try Tequila Cocktails Before Everyone Else Discovers Them

Tequila isn’t just for shots; it’s the star of many sophisticated cocktails. Here’s a curated list of 13 tequila-based drinks, each with a short history, ingredients, and instructions to shake up your cocktail game:

 

1. Margarita

Margarita

The quintessential tequila cocktail, known for its perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.
Born in Mexico, the Margarita’s exact origins are debated, but it became popular in the U.S. in the 1940s.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz tequila
    • 1 oz lime juice
    • 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
    • Salt for rimming the glass
    • Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
    • Rim a glass with salt.
    • Shake tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau with ice.
    • Strain into the glass filled with ice.
    • Garnish with a lime wedge.

 

2. Paloma

paloma

A refreshing blend of tequila, grapefruit, and lime, this cocktail is like a hug in a glass for tequila lovers.
Originating in Mexico, the Paloma is often considered the country’s most popular tequila cocktail.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz tequila
    • 1/2 oz lime juice
    • Grapefruit soda to top (like Squirt or Jarritos)
    • Pinch of salt
    • Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
    • Fill a highball glass with ice.
    • Add tequila, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
    • Top with grapefruit soda.
    • Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

 

3. Tequila Sunrise

tequila sunrise

With its vibrant layers, this cocktail looks as good as it tastes, combining tequila with orange juice and grenadine.
Created in the 1970s in California, it became famous for its sunrise-like appearance.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz tequila
    • 4 oz orange juice
    • 1/2 oz grenadine
    • Orange slice and cherry for garnish
Instructions:
    • Fill a glass with ice.
    • Pour tequila and orange juice into the glass.
    • Slowly pour grenadine over the back of a spoon to create layers.
    • Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

 

4. Bloody Maria

bloody maria

A spicy, savory twist on the Bloody Mary, using tequila for a Southwestern flair.
The Bloody Maria is a variation of the Bloody Mary, swapping vodka for tequila.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz tequila
    • 4 oz tomato juice
    • 1/2 oz lemon juice
    • Worchestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, pepper to taste
    • Celery stalk, lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions:
    • Rim a glass with salt and pepper.
    • Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice, strain into the glass.
    • Garnish with celery and lemon.

 

5. Tequila Negroni

tequila negroni

A bold take on the classic Negroni, substituting gin with tequila for a unique twist.
A modern twist on the Italian Negroni, tequila adds a new dimension to this beloved cocktail.
Ingredients:
    • 1 oz tequila
    • 1 oz Campari
    • 1 oz sweet vermouth
    • Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
    • Stir tequila, Campari, and sweet vermouth with ice.
    • Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
    • Garnish with an orange peel.

 

6. Ranch Water

ranch water tequila cocktail

Simple yet effective, this cocktail is tequila, lime, and sparkling water, embodying the spirit of Texas.
A staple in West Texas, Ranch Water is known for its simplicity and refreshing taste.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz tequila
    • 1 oz lime juice
    • Topo Chico or other sparkling water
    • Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
    • Fill a glass with ice.
    • Add tequila and lime juice.
    • Top with sparkling water.
    • Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

 

7. Matador

Matador Tequila Cocktail

A cousin to the Margarita, the Matador adds pineapple juice for a tropical twist.
While less known than the Margarita, the Matador has been around since at least the 1930s.
Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz tequila
    • 2 oz pineapple juice
    • 3/4 oz lime juice
    • Dash of simple syrup (optional)
    • Pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions:
    • Shake all ingredients with ice.
    • Strain into a glass filled with ice.
    • Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

 

8. El Diablo

El Diablo cocktail

A spicy and sweet concoction that mixes tequila with ginger beer, giving it a kick.
This drink was first noted in the 1940s, offering a mix of Mexican and British flavors.
Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz tequila
    • 1/2 oz crème de cassis
    • 1/2 oz lime juice
    • Ginger beer to top
    • Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions:
    • Fill a highball glass with ice.
    • Add tequila, crème de cassis, and lime juice.
    • Top with ginger beer.
    • Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel.

 

9. Tequila Espresso Martini

tequila espresso

For coffee lovers, this cocktail mixes tequila with espresso for a caffeinated twist on the classic.
A modern variation of the Espresso Martini, tequila adds a unique flavor profile.
Ingredients:
    • 1 1/2 oz tequila
    • 1 oz espresso
    • 1/2 oz coffee liqueur
    • 1/4 oz simple syrup
    • Coffee beans for garnish
Instructions:
    • Shake all ingredients with ice until well chilled and frothy.
    • Strain into a martini glass.
    • Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

 

10. Mexican Mule

Mexican Mule tequila cocktail

A variation of the Moscow Mule, with tequila bringing a Mexican flair to this beloved drink.
This twist on the Mule reflects the global popularity of tequila in classic cocktail formats.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz tequila
    • 1/2 oz lime juice
    • Ginger beer to top
    • Lime wedge and mint for garnish
Instructions:
    • Fill a copper mug with ice.
    • Add tequila and lime juice.
    • Top with ginger beer.
    • Stir gently, garnish with lime and mint.

 

11. Tequila Old Fashioned

Tequila Old Fashioned cocktail

A smoky, complex drink that reimagines the Old Fashioned with tequila’s unique character.
 A testament to tequila’s versatility, this cocktail uses its depth to reinterpret a classic.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz reposado tequila
    • 1 tsp agave syrup
    • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
    • Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
    • In a rocks glass, combine tequila, agave syrup, and bitters.
    • Add ice, stir until well chilled.
    • Express the orange peel over the drink, then drop it in.

 

12. Juan Collins

Juan Collins tequila cocktail

A tequila twist on the Tom Collins, this drink is light, refreshing, and perfect for summer.
Named after John Collins, this version uses tequila for a Mexican-inspired refreshment.
Ingredients:
    • 2 oz tequila
    • 1 oz lemon juice
    • 1/2 oz simple syrup
    • Club soda to top
    • Lemon wheel and cherry for garnish
Instructions:
    • Fill a tall glass with ice.
    • Add tequila, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
    • Top with club soda, stir gently.
    • Garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry.

 

13. Tequila Sunrise Punch

Tequila Sunrise Punch cocktail

An easy-to-make punch version of the Tequila Sunrise, perfect for parties.
A communal version of the individual cocktail for larger gatherings.
Ingredients:
    • 1 cup tequila
    • 4 cups orange juice
    • 1/2 cup grenadine
    • Sliced oranges and cherries for garnish
Instructions:
    • In a large pitcher, mix tequila and orange juice.
    • Pour in grenadine for a layered effect.
    • Stir gently before serving over ice.
    • Garnish with orange slices and cherries.

 

These tequila cocktails showcase the versatility and depth of this agave spirit, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy responsibly!

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