Mexican Martini (Tequila Martini)

Love martinis and tequila? This Mexican martini is full of zingy flavor, with lime, tequila and an olive garnish.

Want to mix up your standard margarita repertoire? Try the Mexican Martini, aka Tequila Martini! There are lots of variations on this fusion concept. This recipe takes the best of a classic martini and a classic margarita in the same glass! Like a good margarita, it’s seriously tangy, not too sweet and citrusy. Then it’s got a hint of dry vermouth like a martini, and it’s garnished with an olive. And don’t forget that salt rim! It’s the perfect unique cocktail to impress a load of guests, or down as you inhale a basket of chips. Here’s how to make it!

What’s in a Mexican martini?

The Mexican martini is essentially a margarita served like a martini, invented in Texas. The exact history of the drink is unclear, and it has lots of variations. Sometimes it’s a sweet drink made with Sprite, and other versions are more dry. Some variations even use olive brine (the juice from an olive jar)! This recipe combines elements of a classic margarita and classic martini to make a new cocktail. Here’s what you need to make the best Mexican martini:

• Tequila
• Cointreau
• Lime juice
• Dry vermouth
• Olive garnish

The Cointreau provides just enough sweetness to offset the tart lime. The dry vermouth brings in the vibe of a dry martini, which is made with gin and vermouth. Add that olive garnish and you’re martini ready! If you prefer your drinks on the sweet side, you can add a little simple syrup.

How to make a Mexican martini (3 basic steps!)

Ready to get drinking? Here’s how to make a Mexican tequila martini. This drink follows the basic “shake and strain” model for cocktails:

1. Rim the glass with salt. A classic Mexican martini is served in a martini glass with salt on the rim to evoke the margarita vibe.
2. Shake in a cocktail shaker. Take the tequila, Cointreau, lime and dry vermouth, and shake it together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. (Don’t have one? Use a mason jar!)
3. Strain into a glass and add garnish. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and olive.

Tips for making a salt rim

The best type of salt to use for a salt rim is kosher salt or flaky sea salt. Why? They have a nice chunky texture. If you want to add a little flair, try this Margarita Salt: the orange and lime zest looks like beautiful confetti! Here are a few tips on how to make a salt rim for this Mexican martini:

1. Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer.
2. Take a lime wedge and cut a notch in the middle: then slide it around the rim of the glass. This perfectly moistens the glass rim without having to use your fingers!
3. Tilt the glass in the salt so that only the outside edge goes into the salt.
4. Shake off any loose salt into the sink.

Triple sec or Cointreau?

The classic orange liqueur to use in a margarita is Cointreau. Some recipes call for triple sec, but it’s not nearly as good. Cointreau has a orange perfume flavor that’s well balanced between bitter and sweet, while Triple Sec can have a harsher flavor.

If you’re not sure whether you want to buy a bottle for this tequila martini, don’t worry! There’s a long list of Cointreau drinks that use it: all of our Margarita Recipes, Cosmopolitan, White Lady, Mimosa, and more.

More martini recipes

The Mexican martini is a martini in name only: it’s not a true martini! But there are so many other “martinis” that bare little semblance to the classic martini. Flavored martinis are a modern invention: most use vodka and semi-sweet to sweet. Here are some of our favorite martini recipes, both classic and flavored:

• Dirty Martini Serve it “dirty” with olive juice, and it rounds out the sip with a briny tang.
• Vesper Martini Invented by James Bond! Crisp and herbal, with Lillet Blanc, gin and vodka.
• Gibson Cocktail The same as a classic martini…except for the garnish!
• Key Lime Martini Fruity and fun, with a graham cracker crust rim! And Licor 43.
• Lemon Drop Martini or Limoncello Martini Zingy and full of citrus brightness.
• Pomegranate Martini or Watermelon Martini These jewel-toned drinks are tangy and light: the perfect fruity variation.
• Cucumber Martini A crisp, cool take with the refreshing scent of this hydrating vegetable.
• Espresso Martini or Coffee Martini Made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka. Perfect for coffee lovers!
• Raspberry Martini Bright red and full of berry flavor!
• Chocolate Martini Rich, creamy and oh so decadent.
• Ginger Martini The spicy flavor of the fresh root shines in this ginger cocktail!
• French Martini Perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur.

When to serve a Mexican martini

This Mexican martini is fun and unique! It’s great as a:

• Signature drink
• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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More Mexican cocktails

There are lots of tasty Mexican-themed cocktails! Here more Mexican cocktails to try:

• Paloma Cocktail Grapefruit and tequila, with a salt rim!
• Mexican Mule The best spin on a classic Moscow mule, with tequila and lime.
• Michelada A spicy Mexican beer cocktail made with tomato juice, lime, and hot sauce!
• Classic Chelada A tangy Mexican beer cocktail that’s easy and refreshing.
• Ranch Water A Texas-style tequila highball drink made with lime, tequila and Topo Chico.
• Bloody Maria The Mexican spin on a classic Bloody Mary, with…you guessed it! Tequila.
• 15 Best Margarita Recipes All the best spins on a margarita: Italian, Cadillac, spicy, mezcal, etc.