Entertaining

The 7 Easiest Tequila Cocktails

The Tequila Sunrise might look complicated, but it is actually so easy that you can build it right in the glass. Throw together OJ and tequila in a highball glass with ice, then add grenadine and watch the sunrise. It’s one of those simple joys in life.

The ever versatile Highball can be made with any spirit. While whiskey may be the most common, tequila makes a great substitution, especially if you have a rounded reposado or añejo that could benefit from a little lift from soda. It’s a great way to switch it up if you enjoy your tequila neat.

Soda-based cocktails depend on the quality of their mixers, and there’s no arguing that the grapefruit soda in the Paloma offers some next level fizz—it’s a national Mexican treasure, after all. (No, really, it’s Mexico’s national cocktail.) It also makes this cocktail incredibly easy to mix. Just add lime and tequila to a highball, and pour in a healthy topping of liquid refreshment.

If every Tex-Mex chain and cheesy Mexican tourist trap can mix a Margarita, you can too. But the easy prep doesn’t mean you can slack on quality—don’t stoop to their level. Capture the ease and simple elegance of this classic by using a quality tequila and fresh citrus. A bit of sweetener—agave syrup if you’ve got it—and a salt rim, and you’ve got yourself a way better fiesta than a night at your local sombrero-themed chain.

By making just a few adjustments to the easy peasy Margarita, you get a whole new cocktail without any additional effort. Reposado stands in for blanco tequila, and pineapple juice replaces lime (though you should keep those limes around for garnish). Pour, shake, strain and you’re golden—Baja golden.

The Italian Margarita, a.k.a. the Italian Stallion Margarita, takes the classic Marg and adds amaretto. Simple as that. The liqueur gives the cocktail a nutty sweetness that plays off the bright and refreshing acidity. Rather than using a silver tequila, use a reposado that is rich in vanilla and toffee notes like Tapatio’s Reposado or Cimarrón’s Reposado.

The Matador cocktail is like if you took a Margarita and then gave it some additional tropical beach vibes. It’s bigger, bolder, fruitier and packed with fresh pineapple juice and agave syrup. It’s the perfect drink for spicy tacos and salty barbecue on a hot day. To make the drink just right, use a blanco tequila with vanilla and tropical fruit notes as opposed to vegetal or savory notes.