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Love martinis and tequila? This tequila martini is full of zingy flavor, with lime, tequila and an olive garnish.
Want to mix up the standard margarita night? Try a Tequila Martini instead! Also known as a Mexican Martini, this recipe takes the best of a classic martini and 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 tequila martini?
The tequila 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 tequila martini (aka 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 tequila martini: 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 (or go to the recipe for quantities):
- 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.
- 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!)
- 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:
- Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer.
- 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!
- Tilt the glass in the salt so that only the outside edge goes into the salt.
- Shake off any loose salt into the sink.
Using 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.
Perfect Mexican Martini (Tequila Martini)
Love martinis and tequila? This Mexican martini is full of zingy flavor, with lime, tequila and an olive garnish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) tequila blanco or reposado*
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Cointreau
- ¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) fresh lime juice
- ¼ ounce dry white vermouth
- Kosher salt, for the rim
- For the garnish: Lime wedge and olive
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a martini glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of kosher salt.
- Add the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and dry vermouth to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake it until cold.
- Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and olive.
More tequila cocktails
Here are a few more tequila cocktails and Mexican cocktails to try:
- The Paloma stars grapefruit and tequila, with a salt rim!
- A Mexican Mule is the best spin on a classic Moscow mule, with tequila and lime.
- The Michelada and Chelada are delicious Mexican beer cocktails.
- Ranch Water is a Texas-style tequila highball drink made with lime, tequila and Topo Chico.
- The Bloody Maria is a Mexican spin on a classic Bloody Mary, with…you guessed it! Tequila.
- Try our top margarita recipes for all the best spins on a margarita: Italian, Cadillac, spicy, mezcal, etc.
You have the best advice on martini,s I have seen in a long time, and I am 83, I had forgotten how to make a really good simple martini, you brought it all back! The other drink recipes are interesting and something to look forward too when entertaining, which isn,t as often so even more important. I,m pleased I picked “Two Cooks” to check. Thank you. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment. Enjoy!