25 Essential Tequila Cocktails

Classic Margarita

The margarita is where most people start with tequila cocktails, and after testing dozens of ratios, I’ve found this is the very best margarita there is. The classic formula is the perfect balance of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. It’s truly my favorite!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz tequila reposado
• 1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
• ¾ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• Salt rim and lime wheel for garnish

Also see my favorite margarita recipes for flavors like strawberry, mango, and more!

Paloma

The Paloma might be even more popular than the margarita in Mexico, and I can see why. The combination of tequila’s earthiness with bright, citrusy grapefruit makes such a refreshing highball cocktail. I always recommend starting with this tequila cocktail recipe, too!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila blanco
• ½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
• 2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 1 oz soda water
• Flaky sea salt & grapefruit wedge, for the garnish

Tequila Sunrise

This fun cocktail became an icon of the 1970s, and it’s making a major comeback! The combination of orange juice and grenadine makes a fun sunrise effect. It’s also one of the easiest tequila cocktails to make at home.
Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 4 oz orange juice
• ¾ oz grenadine syrup
• For the garnish: Cocktail cherry, orange slice

Ranch Water (Tequila Highball)

This refreshing Texan cocktail is my go-to in the summer and really any time I want a laid back simple drink! It’s essentially an extra bubbly margarita that lets the tequila shine. I personally think Topo Chico is required for the bubbles, but you can use any type of soda water.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz tequila
• 1 ½ oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 4 oz Topo Chico or other sparkling mineral water
• For serving: lime wedges or wheels, ice

Mexican Mule

Of course I love a classic Moscow Mule, so I had to try this tequila variation: and I like it even better! The spicy kick of ginger beer really holds up to the tequila, and it’s much more interesting than the vodka version.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• For the garnish: lime slice

Serving tip: While traditional mules are served in copper mugs (which keep them delightfully cold), don’t let that stop you from making this drink! Any highball glass works perfectly well.

El Diablo

The first time I made this cocktail, I was skeptical, but it’s become one of my absolute favorites! The black currant liqueur adds berry notes that complement the vanilla notes of the aged tequila, and the ginger beer adds effervescence.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz tequila reposado
• ½ oz crème de cassis (or substitute Chambord or crème de mure)
• ¾ oz lime juice
• 3 oz ginger beer

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

If you’re a Mezcal lover, this modern classic cocktail is the union of smoky mezcal, tequila, sweet agave and chocolate bitters. It’s the brainchild of bartender Phillip Ward, who invented it in 2007 at the bar Death & Co. in New York City. This one’s already solidified itself in the cocktail lexicon because the flavor is so intriguing.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz tequila reposado
• ½ oz mezcal
• 1 tsp agave syrup or honey
• 3 dashes chocolate bitters (or substitute Angostura bitters)
• Orange peel, for garnish

Tequila Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is a classic cocktail that vaulted into massive popularity in the early 2020’s, and it’s easy to see why! Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua to makes a frothy and sophisticated drink. Try it with tequila and it’s even more interesting!

Ingredients:

• 1 oz tequila
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlua, Tia Maria, or other)
• 1 oz room temperature espresso (or strong coffee or cold brew concentrate)
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 3 coffee beans, to garnish

Cadillac Margarita

When I have friends over and want to step it up, I pull out this trick: the Cadillac margarita! This is one of my favorite spins on the classic tequila cocktail using Grand Marnier. The combination makes a nuanced flavor that makes everyone ask, “Wow! What’s in this?”

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz best quality tequila reposado
• 1 oz Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz Grand Marnier
• For serving: Kosher salt or flaky sea salt, lime wedge

Italian Margarita

This Italian spin on the classic cocktail swaps out orange liqueur for amaretto, and the almond essence adds a distinctly Italian vibe. Alex and I are big fans of travel in Italy, so of course we had to try the Italian margarita!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila blanco or reposado
• 1 ½ oz fresh squeezed orange juice or blood orange juice
• 1 oz (2 tablespoons) amaretto
• ½ oz (1 tablespoon) lime juice
• Kosher salt or flaky sea salt (or margarita salt), for the rim
• For the garnish: Lime wedge, orange slice

Mexican Coffee

Here’s a fun variation on the classic Irish coffee: this spiked coffee cocktail stars two Mexican liquors, tequila and Kahlua, plus a little Triple Sec. Top with cinnamon and a layer of fluffy whipped cream.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz warm coffee
• ½ oz tequila
• ½ oz Kahlua
• ½ oz Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
• 1 dash vanilla extract
• To serve: Sweetened whipped cream and cinnamon

Frozen Margarita

The frozen margarita is one of my favorite party tricks: it’s so simple to blend up 4 servings in minutes! Who can turn down a frosty margarita? It’s a great citrusy drink for any season, to serve as a summer cocktail, poolside beach drink, barbecue, or anytime you need a signature drink.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 6 oz tequila blanco or reposado
• 4 oz (½ cup) Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 3 oz (6 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
• 2 pz (¼ cup) simple syrup
• 4 ½ cups ice
• For the rim: kosher salt or pink sea salt

Tequila Soda

Sometimes the simplest drinks are the most satisfying! This minimalist cocktail is a go-to when I want something refreshing but not too sweet. The simplicity lets the tequila shine through with just enough lime to brighten the flavors.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz tequila reposado
• 4 to 5 oz soda water
• 2 lime wedges

Tequila Lemonade

This is another seriously easy tequila cocktail! In backyard BBQ season, I like to have a pitcher of this ready. It’s the perfect easy tequila cocktail for casual entertaining: all you need are two ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz homemade lemonade or purchased lemonade
• 2 oz (¼ cup) tequila
• For serving: Ice, fresh mint

Tequila and Pineapple Juice

Here’s another simple simple combination: the first time I tried it, I was shocked by how well the flavors work together! The tropical sweetness of pineapple juice complements tequila’s earthiness perfectly, creating a two-ingredient cocktail that couldn’t be easier.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 3 oz pineapple juice
• To serve: Ice, lime wedges, fresh mint (optional)

Tequila and Tonic

Love tequila and a good G&T? Then here’s your new favorite drink: the Tequila and Tonic! Swap out the gin for tequila, and you’ve got a whole new drink. It’s tart and bubbly, with just the right bite from the tequila. It’s a cousin to Ranch Water and Tequila Soda using tonic water instead.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz tequila
• 2 lime wedges, plus more for serving
• 4 oz tonic water

Quality matters: I recommend using a premium tonic water like Fever-Tree or Q Tonic.

Tequila Screwdriver

Tequila and orange juice make two classic drinks: the Tequila Screwdriver or the Tequila Sunrise! The Screwdriver is an improved spin on the classic, or add grenadine you’ve got a brilliantly colored 1970’s California cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 4 oz orange juice
• For serving: Ice, orange or lime wedges, cocktail cherry

Tequila and Ginger Ale

Ginger beer is often mixed with tequila in a Mexican Mule, but ginger ale is something different altogether. The sweet, delicately bubbly ale makes a surprisingly tasty pair with the oaky and vanilla notes of tequila reposado. It’s a fun, low-alcohol way to enjoy a good tequila that’s bubbly and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila reposado (or blanco)
• 4 oz ginger ale
• For serving: Lime wedge, ice

Tequila Manhattan

After mastering the classic Manhattan, I started experimenting with other spirits: and swapping in tequila is so interesting! Tequila reposado has similar vanilla and oak notes to whiskey, but with an agave character that works with sweet vermouth.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila (I like tequila reposado here)
• 1 oz sweet red vermouth
• 3 dashes orange bitters
• For serving: Luxardo cherry

Mexican Martini (Tequila Martini)

Also known as a Mexican martini, this recipe combines the best of a classic martini and a margarita in the same glass. Like a good margarita, it’s seriously tangy, not too sweet, and citrusy.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz tequila blanco or reposado
• 1 oz (2 tablespoons) Cointreau
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
• ¼ oz dry white vermouth
• For the garnish: kosher salt, lime wedge and olive

Tequila Negroni

The classic Negroni such a popular cocktail, so why not try it with tequila swapped in instead of gin? The sweet notes of tequila pair well with Campari’s bitterness for a complex and balanced cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz tequila
• 1 oz sweet or semi-sweet red vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• For the garnish: Orange peel, ice