Why tequila makes bright, easy cocktails
Tequila brings something no other spirit does: an earthy, vegetal, citrus-forward character from the agave plant. That makes tequila cocktails taste fresh and lively, especially alongside lime, grapefruit, and a little salt. It's the backbone of some of the most refreshing drinks going.
It also spans the seasons — a crisp paloma in summer, a spicy margarita any time, and even warmer spiced drinks in fall. Blanco (silver) tequila is the versatile mixing choice; reposado adds a mellow, oaky depth.
Classic tequila cocktails
- Margarita: tequila, lime, and orange liqueur, with a salt rim — the definitive tequila drink
- Paloma: tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime — arguably more refreshing than the margarita
- Ranch water: tequila, lime, and sparkling mineral water — one of the lightest cocktails around
- Tequila sunrise: tequila, orange juice, and grenadine — easy and eye-catching
- Spicy margarita: a margarita with muddled jalapeño for heat — a modern favorite
Tequila cocktails by mixer
- Lime & orange liqueur: the margarita family — shaken, frozen, spicy, or fruit-flavored
- Grapefruit: a paloma or a grapefruit-and-soda highball, crisp and a little bitter
- Soda water: ranch water or a tequila-soda with lime — the lightest way to drink tequila
- Orange juice: a tequila sunrise or a simple tequila-and-OJ when you want something easy
What tequila to buy for cocktails
Look for "100% agave" on the label — it's smoother and better in drinks than mixto tequilas. A blanco (silver) tequila is the all-purpose mixing bottle, bright and clean for margaritas and palomas. A reposado, lightly aged in oak, adds a mellow warmth that's lovely in a sipping margarita or an old-fashioned-style drink.
Not sure what to make with the bottle you have? Tell MixSurprise your tequila and mixers and it will suggest a cocktail.