You’ve probably heard of a margarita, right? Well, that’s one of the most popular tequila cocktails out there. However, tequila is incredibly versatile and can be the main ingredient to very many different cocktails.
This Mexican liquor which is derived from the agave plant shines in Mexican-style cocktails like the Mexican Mule and Paloma. However, it also works in many other cocktail recipes. Let’s take a look at a few you can try at home.
Paloma
This is the classic margarita’s cousin. This easy-to-prepare tequila recipe substitutes the lime for grapefruit. Changing the citrus results in a simple sour flavour that is refreshing and has a sweet-tart taste. It’s a perfect happy hour drink, although you can also drink them at brunch.
Ingredients:
- Tequila
- Grapefruit (4 tablespoons)
- Lime (1 tablespoon)
- Simple syrup (1 tablespoon)
- Soda water (2 tablespoons)
Preparation:
- Slice out a wedge from the grapefruit then cut a small notch in the wedge. Run the wedge slice around the glass’ rim. Dip the rim into flaky sea salt
- Add tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, grapefruit juice and stir thoroughly.
- Top the glass off with ice and soda water.
Classic Margarita
When it comes to tequila cocktails, the most famous of them all is the classic margarita. Fun fact, the classic recipe didn’t include simple syrup. This was how it was traditionally made in Mexico. This recipe is for the classic one, and it only has three ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Tequila
- Cointreau/Triple Sec (2 tablespoons)
- Lime juice (1 ½ tablespoon)
Preparation:
- Slice a wedge from the lime then cut a tiny notch in the wedge. Run the wedge slice around the glass’ rim. Dip the rim in salt. You can use Margarita Salt for a more festive look. Put four ice cubes in your cocktail shaker, pour in all the ingredients, and then shake until cold.
- Strain the mixture and then pour it into the glass. Top the glass off with ice.
Tequila Sour
This sweet-tart, delightfully refreshing cocktail with its frothy foam top is popular in many cities and travel destinations worldwide. It has a distinct lemon-lime flavour and has some vintage swagger about it.
Here’s how you make it.
Ingredients:
- Tequila
- Lemon juice (2 tablespoons)
- Lime juice (1 tablespoon)
- Simple syrup (2 tablespoons)
- Egg whites (from one egg)
Preparation:
- Add the egg white, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and tequila to your cocktail shakers, and then shake for fifteen seconds.
- Add ice and then shake for another thirty seconds
- Strain the mixture into a glass. Wait for the foam to rise to the top before serving.
Tequila Highball (Ranch Water)
This isn’t your traditional tequila cocktail but it’s still very tasty all the same. Popularized in West Texas, this is basically a tequila highball with lime juice and sparkling water. It’s a lighter and bubblier version of the more popular margarita.
Ingredients:
- Tequila
- Fresh lime juice (3 tablespoons)
- Sparkling water (half a cup)
- Lime wedge for garnish
Preparation:
- Add lime juice and tequila to a highball cocktail glass and then stir
- Top the glass off with sparkling water and ice.
Mexican Mule
The Mexican Mule is arguably one of the best and tastiest tequila-based cocktails in the world. It’s bubbly, it’s bold and it’s always ready to spice up any event. The way the zingy lime and spicy ginger combine with the tequila is just to die for.
Ingredients:
- Tequila
- Fresh lime juice (1 tablespoon)
- Ginger beer (half a cup)
- Lime slice for garnish
Preparation:
- In a copper mug or glass, pour in all the ingredients
- Add ice and then serve immediately. Garnish with lime.
So if you’re the tequila type of person, now you know the cocktail that can help excite your life and any gatherings you may have in play. Try one today.
Bloody Maria
The Bloody Mary, as we all know, is a classic and world-renowned vodka-based cocktail. However, take out the vodka and replace it with some tequila and you’ll now have a Bloody Maria. The tequila puts that Mexican twist to the whole thing.
Ingredients
- Tomato juice (2 cups)
- Lemon juice (1/4 cup)
- Hot sauce (1/2 teaspoon)
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Black Pepper
- Tequila
Preparation
- Chill the tequila and tomato if you have some time. Ensure to thoroughly shake your tomato juice before use.
- Combine the hot sauce, lemon juice, tomato juice, black pepper, and salt in a cocktail shaker. Shake thoroughly, without ice. Strain into a small pitcher.
- Best served chilled.
Cadillac Margarita
This is another modern and sophisticated version of the Classic Margarita. The Margarita was and still is, a very popular and famous drink. It’s no surprise it’s spawned so many different recreations. It’s got a nuanced overall taste that’ll get everyone who tastes it saying, “Wow!”
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Cointreau (2 tablespoons)
- Lime juice (2 tablespoons)
- Lime wedge for garnish
Preparation
- Run a lime wedge around the glass rim and then dip the edge into sea salt.
- Place your lime juice, Cointreau, and tequila in a shaker and fill it up with ice. Shake until cold.
- Strain your margarita mixture into your glass. Carefully top the glass off with the Grand Marnier and serve immediately.
Tequila Sunrise
There aren’t many cocktails out there that are more beautiful than the tequila sunrise. This vibrant and colourful cocktail looks like a summer sunset in a glass. And what makes things even better is that there’s no special equipment or technique required to make it and you only need three ingredients.
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Orange juice (1/2 cup)
- Grenadine syrup (2 tablespoons)
- Orange slice to garnish
Preparation
- Get a highball glass and fill it with ice. Pour in your orange juice and tequila and then stir
- Pour your grenadine at the centre of your drink and then gently stir the cocktail for the sunrise gradient effect to appear.
- Use an orange slice to garnish
Siesta Cocktail
This tequila cocktail has a very unique taste, hence the name Siesta. This unexpected blend of fresh citrus juice, Campari, and tequila is tastefully intriguing. Each sip you take is both refreshing and balanced with a hint of bitterness and a sweet-tart note.
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Campari (1/2 ounce)
- Grapefruit (1/2 ounce)
- Lime juice (1/2 ounce)
- Simple syrup (1/2 ounce)
Preparation
- Pour the simple syrup, grapefruit juice, lime juice, Campari, and tequila in your cocktail shaker. Add ice and then shake thoroughly until cold
- Strain the mixture into your glass. Garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge.
Cantarito
The Cantarito is a must-try if you love tequila. This delicious tequila-based cocktail tastes a lot like the Paloma we highlighted earlier, but it has more citrus juices such as lime, lemon, and orange juice. It’s normally served in a traditional clay mug or cup, which adds a stunning effect to the whole experience.
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Orange juice (1 ounce)
- Lime juice (1/2 ounce)
- Salt (1 pinch)
- Grapefruit soda (4 ounces)
Preparation
- If you’ve got access to traditional clay mugs, soak them in cold water for about ten to twenty minutes before you use them. If you don’t have such, you can use highball glasses.
- Pour your lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice and tequila into your glass/clay cup with the salt
- Top the mug/glass off with the grapefruit soda and ice.
Here are a few other cocktails you can make with other alcoholic drinks – vodka, whiskey, gin, cognac, rum, champagne and Martini Cocktails. Check out these additional recipes Famous Grouse cocktails and Magnum Cream Liqueur cocktails
Check out 10 Cognac Recipes You Should Try Out At Home
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