Discover six tequila cocktails that go beyond the classic Margarita. Our tequila drink list include the Paloma and Tequila Sunrise plus some that may be new to you.
Tequila cocktails stand out from the mixology pack thanks to tequila’s distinctive agave flavor. It’s a flavor familiar to anybody who has sipped a Margarita or two.
It only makes sense. All tequila is made from blue agave plants indigenous to Mexico. The different types of tequila (i.e. Blanco, Reposado and Añejo) reflect the liquor’s aging length as opposed to its ingredients.
Most tequila drinks are crafted with Blanco tequila. Also called white tequila and silver tequila, this clear tequila is often unaged or aged for just a month. Aged Reposado and Añejo tequilas are more appropriate for sipping either with or without ice.
Like many, Margaritas were our gateway to tequila. Over the years, we’ve imbibed classic Margaritas as well as frozen, spicy and strawberry Margaritas.
We could have stopped there but we didn’t. Instead, we started drinking a variety of tequila cocktails. These are our favorites tequila cocktail recipes to craft at home:
6 of the Best Tequila Cocktails
Classic Margarita
The classic Margarita is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It's also one of the easiest cocktails to craft at home with just three ingredients and no special bar tools.
Paloma
The Paloma tastes like summer in a glass. The refreshing tequila tipple is simultaneously sweet, sour and salty. It's also easy to craft at home regardless of the season.
Ranch Water
Ranch Water may not be on your cocktail radar unless you live in Texas. However, this tequila highball cocktail is so easy to craft and refreshing to drink that it may become your favorite summer sipper.
Siesta
You won't want to take a siesta when you sip a Siesta cocktail. This tequila cocktail is fun and sophisticated with a pink color and complex flavor. Plus, it's so easy to craft at home that you can drink a Siesta and then take one too.
Spicy Margarita
We're always mad for margaritas but we especially love the Mexican summer sipper with a touch of heat. Follow our easy Spicy Margarita recipe and catch your own case of margarita madness.
Tequila Sunrise
Our Tequila Sunrise recipe is so easy to craft that you'll be sipping your tasty tequila tipple in just a few minutes. In other words, it's not just another Tequila Sunrise recipe. It's a keeper.
Tequila FAQs
Tequila is a distilled Mexican liquor that’s made from blue agave plants.
There are three main types of tequila – Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. Blanco (i.e. white or silver) tequila is aged for zero to 1 month before bottled. Reposado tequila is agedfor two months to a year. Añejo tequila is aged for one to three years.
Purists prefer to sip tequila neat or on the rocks. Others like to drink tequila in cocktails like Margaritas and Palomas.
The Margarita is the most popular tequila cocktail. It’s also one of the most popular cocktails period.
Tequila is a type of mezcal that’s exclusively made from blue agave plants. In other words, all tequilas are mezcal but not all mezcals are tequila.
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About the Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website and YouTube. The married Food and Travel content creators live in Lisbon, Portugal.
Original Publication Date: March 4, 2023