Tequila is a popular spirit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways - from enjoying a glass on its own, to making it into a delicious cocktail. While it's often associated with margaritas, there are many other delicious mixed drinks that can be made with tequila!
In this blog post, we'll be going over some of the basics when it comes to making your drink, and a couple of crowd-favourite tequila recipes.
The Foundations
When making mixed drinks with tequila, it's important to choose a good quality tequila that will enhance the flavour of the cocktail. Here are some basic steps to follow:
- Choose your tequila: Silver or blanco tequila is the most common type used in mixed drinks, but reposado and añejo tequilas can also be used for more complex flavours.
- Choose your mixer: Mixers can be anything from fruit juices to syrups to carbonated beverages. Choose a mixer that complements the flavour of the tequila.
- Add ice: Fill your glass with ice before adding the tequila and mixer.
- Mix it up: Add the tequila and mixer to the glass and stir or shake well.
Popular Mixed Drinks with Tequila
To get you started on your Tequila cocktail adventures, we have some of the best recipes for a handful of tasty cocktails! These drinks are simple, delicious, and can be made with a handful of ingredients at home! Feel free to adjust each recipe to your liking (for instance, add as much or as little tequila as you'd like)!
Margarita
Margarita
This classic tequila cocktail is made with lime juice, triple sec, and salt on the rim of the glass.
To make a classic margarita, you're going to need the following:
- 2 tablespoons of Kosher salt
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 1 ounce Triple Sec
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- salt
- Ice
Step One:
Salt the rim of your glass - doing so will enhance the sweet and sour flavours of your drink. Simply run a lime wedge along the rim of the glass then dip into the salt.
Step Two:
Combine your tequila, triple sec, and lime juice with some ice in a cocktail shaker. If you don't have a cocktail shaker, simply stir all the ingredients into a separate glass.
Step Three:
Strain the drink into the glass rimmed with salt, then garnish with a lime.
With just a couple of ingredients and in 3 easy steps, you have a classic margarita!
Paloma
Made with tequila, grapefruit juice, and soda water, this refreshing cocktail is perfect for summer!
Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
- ½ Grapefruit cut into wedges
- ¼ Cup Grapefruit Juice
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- ½ Tablespoon Sugar
- 1 ounce of Tequila
- ¼ Cup Club Soda
- Ice
Step One:
Like the margarita, the Paloma benefits from adding salt to the rim of the glass! Run a lime or grapefruit wedge along the rim of the glass then dip into the salt.
Step Two:
Squeeze the lime juice into a glass then add the sugar. Stir to combine.
Step Three:
Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, and club soda with the lime juice and sugar then stir to combine. You have a cocktail shaker, simply add all these ingredients together with some ice.
Step Four:
Serve in the glass with a salted rim over ice. Use a lime and/or grapefruit slice to garnish.
As an alternative to the grapefruit juice and club soda, a grapefruit soda would also taste great in this cocktail!
Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise is a fruity and sweet cocktail made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. Very refreshing for the summer!
Ingredients:
- 1½ ounce tequila
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine syrup
- An orange slice and maraschino cherry to garnish
- Ice
Step One:
In a glass filled with ice, pour in the tequila and orange juice.
Step Two:
Slowly pour the grenadine into the glass over the back of a spoon or by drizzling it down the side of the glass, allowing it to settle at the bottom. The grenadine at the bottom gives your cocktail that classic sunrise look you'd get at any bar!
Step Three:
Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.
Michelada
The Michelada is a spicy beer cocktail made with tequila, tomato juice, hot sauce, and beer. Great for those who prefer savoury over sweet!
Ingredients
- Tajin (or any preferred chilli-salt)
- 2 oz Lime Juice
- 2 tsp Hot sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt
- 12 oz Light Mexican beer
- 1oz tequila
Step One:
Run a lime wedge along the rim of your glass then dip into Tajin and salt.
Step Two:
In a separate glass, add the tomato/Clamato juice, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, and tequila. Stir to combine.
Step Three:
Pour the concoction over ice into the salt-Tajin glass, then slowly pour your favourite beer into the glass. Stir, then add a lime wedge and a dash of Tajin to garnish.
Bloody Maria
With a little twist to a Bloody Mary, The Bloody Maria cocktail uses tequila instead of vodka and includes tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Another great drink for those who prefer savoury over sweet!
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 4 ounces of tomato juice
- ½ ounce of lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon prepared horseradish, to taste
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tabasco sauce
- Tapatio hot sauce
- Celery salt
- Ground black pepper
- A lime/lemon wedge, a slice of cucumber and a slice of jalapeno to garnish
- Ice
Step One:
Add the tequila, tomato juice, lemon juice, horseradish, and a dash each of Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, Tapatio, celery salt and black pepper to a shaker and fill with ice. If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you can always add these ingredients to a glass, then stir.
Step Two:
Strain your drink into a fresh glass filled with ice.
Step Three:
Garnish with your lime/lemon, cucumber, and jalepeno before serving.
Tequila can be used in a variety of mixed drinks to create a range of flavours and styles. By following these basic steps and trying out some popular recipes, you can discover new and exciting ways to enjoy tequila. And for those of you who want to elevate your cocktails, try using Ethan+Ashe's Alkemista Infusion Vessel to infuse your tequila (and other spirits) with your favourite fruits, spices, herbs and botanicals!
Remember to drink responsibly and enjoy your tequila mixed drinks in moderation.