Itβs time to get over your fear of tequila, because youβre missing out on some really great cocktails. The agave-based spiritβs vegetal and citrusy flavors make it incredibly versatile. Unaged, itβs delicious with fruit juices and in spritzes. Aged, itβs wonderfully complex stirred with amaros and or even in tiki-style cocktails. Here, the best tequila cocktails to welcome you back to the wonderful world of tequila.
Of course you know the Margarita. But have you had a really good one? A perfectly executed Margarita is a balanced sweet-and-sour masterpiece made simply with fresh lime juice, agave syrup and blanco tequila. Forget dive bar slushie machine Margs. Mix up your own at home and serve it on the rocks with a well-salted rim.
The Essentials
Blanco Tequila
Lime Juice
Agave Nectar
View Full Recipe
You can thank the Rolling Stones for more than just their musicβtheyβre also partially responsible for this dramatic cocktail. In the 1970s, Mick Jagger received a Tequila Sunrise at a private party. He loved it, and the band continued to order the bright and fruity cocktail throughout their tour, earning it worldwide popularity. Of course, its striking appearance didnβt hurt either. A float of grenadine poured over the orange juice creates an ombrΓ©, sunrise effect. Try making your own grenadine for even better flavor.
The Essentials
Blanco Tequila
Orange Juice
Grenadine
View Full Recipe
The Bloody Maria is essentially a Bloody Mary made with tequila instead of vodka, but the spirit swap means the cocktail can handle bolder and spicier flavors. Fresh jalapeΓ±os, Tabasco and Tapatio hot sauces, and Tajin seasoning make for an assertive brunch cocktail that will definitely get your juices flowing in the morning.
The Essentials
Blanco Tequila
Tomato Juice
JalapeΓ±o
View Full Recipe
You might think the ubiquitous Margarita is the go-to cocktail in Mexico, but youβd be mistaken. Mexicoβs national cocktail is actually the Paloma, an underrated, ultra-refreshing tall drink made with grapefruit-soda. Aged reposado tequila and a pinch of salt give the cocktail more depth than your average highball and more flavor than its vodka-based relative, the Greyhound.
The Essentials
Tequila
Lime Juice
Grapefruit Soda
View Full Recipe
Not to be confused with fruity, wine-based Sangria, Sangrita is more of a drinking ritual than an actual cocktail. Orange and lime juices, grenadine, spicy ancho chile powder and Tajin seasoning come together in a bright and flavorful shot, which is traditionally served next to a shot of blanco tequila. Then, the drinker alternates sips between the Sangrita and the tequila until both glasses are empty. Sip, pour, repeat.
The Essentials
Tequila
Orange Juice
Grenadine
View Full Recipe
While this modern-day classic cocktail was inspired by the Hemingway Daiquiri, the Siesta kicks things up a notch by swapping in silver tequila for the rum and replacing sweet Maraschino liqueur with bitter Campari. If youβre making Siestas for a crowd, try our signature Group Siestaβa large batch cocktail with the added twist of a smoked-salt infused simple syrup.
The Essentials
Silver Tequila
Grapefruit Juice
Campari
View Full Recipe
The Baja Gold is the Margaritaβs easy-going sister. Made with earthy reposado tequila, sweet agave syrup and pineapple juice, this cocktail is easy to sip all night long. Donβt worry about sourcing a million ingredients for a tiki cocktail on those lazy evenings inβthis is your new go-to tropical tipple.
The Essentials
Reposado Tequila
Pineapple Juice
Agave Syrup
View Full Recipe
If youβre feeling indecisive, never fearβthe Acapulco is here. This cocktail is like a βbest of tequila cocktailsβ blended into one glass. Itβs made with reposado tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice and agave syrup, and thereβs even some white rum in the mix.
The Essentials
Reposado Tequila
White Rum
Pineapple Juice
View Full Recipe
Essentially a Pineapple Margaritaβalbeit with lemon instead of lime and a peppery blanco tequila in lieu of reposado tequilaβthis sour cocktail is more vibrant and tropical than its more common sibling. Pair this gulpable refresher with spicy foods, barbecue and warm weather for a stellar combo. Sip this libation by the pool, and youβll instantly win summer.
The Essentials
Tequila
Pineapple Juice
Agave Syrup
View Full Recipe
If you like PiΓ±a Coladas, this blended, frozen Marg should be on your radar. Made with vanilla-rich reposado tequila, lime juice, crushed ice and Coco Lopez coconut creamβwhich is the defining ingredient in the classic Puerto Rican recipe of its rum-based cousinβthis tequila cocktail is the pinnacle of summer drinking. Cooling down with one is like personal A/C in a glass.
The Essentials
Reposado Tequila
Coco Lopez
Lime
View Full Recipe
One of the stranger classic tequila cocktails, this bittersweet libation uses one of the most underrated liqueurs: crΓ¨me de cassis. Flavored with blackcurrants, the liqueur is bitter, earthy, woodsy, acidic and fruity. While drinking the liqueur straight isnβt the best idea, you can find harmony by pairing it with rich, sweet reposado tequila and fiery ginger beer. This is a tequila Highball thatβs perfect for year-round drinking.
The Essentials
Reposado tequila
Crème de cassis
ginger beer
View Full Recipe
Published on