Tequila Cocktails: 15 Best and Easy to Make

Upgrade your happy hour with these 15 customer-tested Tequila cocktails perfect for any occasion including foolproof recipes!

Margarita

To make a great Margarita, it’s important to use high-quality, natural ingredients like fresh lime juice.

Avoid using bottled lime juice or mixers, which contain artificial flavors and preservatives that can detract from the taste of your drink and are also fattening.

In addition, you DON’T need an expensive Tequila to make a good Margarita, in fact, a somewhat peppery and boozy Blanco Tequila is proven to be better at mixing.

Margarita Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
• Salt for rimming (optional)

Margarita Preparation Method:

1. Rim the edge of a glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill a shaker with ice.
3. Add Tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau or Triple Sec.
4. Shake until chilled.
5. Strain into the prepared glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: Espolon Blanco

Mango Margarita

Want to upgrade the classic Margarita?

Add Mango to it and enjoy a fruitier and sweeter variation as this tropical fruit pairs quite well with lime juice and Tequila.

Mangos are not that cheap in the United States but stick to natural and real Mangoes as the difference is quite noticeable.

Mango Margarita Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1/2 cup fresh mango, chopped
• 1/2 cup ice

Mango Margarita Preparation Method:

1. Add the chopped mango to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Add Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and ice to the blender.
3. Blend until smooth and pour into a salt-rimmed glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: Altos Plata

Blood Orange Margarita

If you are not fond of Mangoes then try it with Blood Orange, or even better try both and decide which you like more!

Stick to fresh Blood Orange as those premade don’t get the trick done!

Blood Orange Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz blood orange juice
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• Salt
• Ice
• Blood orange slice for garnish

Blood Orange Preparation Method:

1. Rim a glass with salt by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge of the glass and dipping it into a shallow dish of salt.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, and triple sec.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
4. Strain the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a slice of blood orange.
6. Sip and enjoy your Blood Orange Margarita!

Recommended Tequila: 1800 Silver

Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita

If you are not fond of Mangoes or Blood Oranges I have another alternative!

Try it with Pineapple Juice while adding a jalapeño to it adding a spicier touch making it more flavorful and interesting.

Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• Salt
• Ice
• Pineapple wedge for garnish

Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita Preparation Method:

1. Rim a glass with salt by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge of the glass and dipping it into a shallow dish of salt.
2. Slice the jalapeno pepper and add it to the cocktail shaker.
3. Add Tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, and triple sec to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
5. Strain the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
7. Sip and enjoy your Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita!

Recommended Tequila: Herradura Silver

Tequila Sunrise

I’m particularly fond of the Tequila Sunrise as it reminds me of the Eagles which was one of my favourite bands back in the day.

This cocktail works better in the hotter months but it’s quite enjoyable on any occasion.

Tequila Sunrise Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 4 oz orange juice
• 3/4 oz grenadine
• Ice
• Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Tequila Sunrise Preparation Method:

1. Top glass with ice.
2. Add Tequila and orange juice to the glass and stir.
3. Slowly pour in the grenadine, allowing it to sink to the bottom of the glass.
4. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: Jose Cuervo Silver

Paloma

Palomas are incredibly popular in Mexico, in fact, at my pub people demand more Palomas than Margaritas.

Easy to make just that the key is using natural grapefruit juice instead of soda.

Paloma Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 4 oz Grapefruit juice or Soda
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• Salt for rimming (optional)
• Grapefruit wedge for garnish

Paloma Preparation Method:

1. Rim the edge of a glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add tequila and lime juice to the glass and stir.
4. Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
6. Sip and enjoy your refreshing Paloma!

Recommended Tequila: Jimador Blanco

Spicy Paloma

Want something more tasty than the traditional Paloma?

Add jalapeño, chili powder and a punchy Tequila and enjoy a bolder experience.

It takes a little more effort but it’s well worth it!

Spicy Paloma Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 3 oz grapefruit juice
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave nectar
• 1 slice of jalapeño pepper
• Ice
• Salt and chili powder for rimming
• Grapefruit wedge for garnish

Spicy Paloma Preparation Method:

1. Rim the edge of a glass with a mixture of salt and chili powder.
2. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the jalapeño slice.
3. Add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
5. Strain the mixture into the salt and chili powder-rimmed glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
7. Enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: Exotico Blanco

Tequila Ranch Water

Ranch Water is another cocktail better suited for the upcoming hotter months.

Incredibly easy to make needing a peppery Blanco Tequila to enhance its flavor and make it more enjoyable.

It’s also proven to work better when using Topo Chico which is Mexico’s favourite sparkling water.

Ranch Water Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• Topo Chico or other sparkling water
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Ranch Water Preparation Method:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add Tequila and lime juice to the glass and stir.
3. Top with Topo Chico or other sparkling water.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.
5. Sip and enjoy your refreshing Tequila Ranch Water!

Recommended Tequila: Camarena Silver

Mexican Mule

The Mexican Mule is superior to the Irish Whiskey Mule and the Moscow Mule as it does not give hangovers, headaches and other maladies.

This cocktails looks cooler in the copper mug, but you can get away with any glass if you don’t want to spend in the mug.

Mexican Mule Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 4 oz ginger beer
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Mexican Mule Preparation Method:

1. Fill a copper mug (or tumbler) with ice.
2. Add Tequila and lime juice to the glass and stir.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.
5. Enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: Dulce Vida Blanco

Mexican Martini

The Martini is the king of cocktails.

Invented in Martinez, California and not in Italy as many people think.

Add a twist to it by adding Tequila instead of Gin or Vodka (or both as James Bond) and enjoy.

Mexican Martini Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz orange liqueur
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz olive brine
• Salt for rimming
• Olive or lime wedge for garnish

Recommended Tequila: Peligroso Silver

Mexican Martini Preparation Method:

1. Rim the edge of a martini glass with salt.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Add Tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and olive brine to the shaker.
4. Shake well and strain into the salt-rimmed martini glass.
5. Garnish with an olive or lime wedge.
6. Sip and enjoy!

Tequila Sour

This cocktail is traditionally made with bourbon but it can be just as good, or better with a Reposado Tequila.

It includes egg whites, so if you are a vegan remove it from the equation or change lifestyle!

Tequila Sour Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Ice
• Lemon slice for garnish

Tequila Sour Preparation Method:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add Tequila, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a lemon slice.
6. Sip and enjoy your frothy and delicious Tequila Sour!

Recommended Tequila: Tequileño Reposado

Tequila Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is another bourbon-based cocktail but let’s make it better with a sweet Añejo Tequila.

No reason to pay top-dollar as I’ve chosen an affordable Añejo Tequila that tastes incredibly well.

Just be cautious with the use of Angostura Bitters as they are incredibly bitter.

Tequila Old Fashioned Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 tsp sugar or simple syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Ice
• Orange or lemon peel for garnish

Tequila Old Fashioned Preparation Method:

1. In an Old Fashioned glass, dissolve sugar or simple syrup in a splash of water.
2. Add a few ice cubes to the glass.
3. Add Tequila and bitters to the glass and stir until well combined.
4. Garnish with an orange or lemon peel.
5. Enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: El Mayor Añejo

Tequila Mojito

Mojitos are typically made with rum which is high in sugars and prone to terrible headaches the following mornings.

Tequila Mojitos are widely superior as it’s made from agave which is incredibly low in sugar making the best option when counting calories.

Tequila Mojito Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 3-4 mint leaves
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Soda water
• Ice
• Mint sprig for garnish

Tequila Mojito Preparation Method:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves.
2. Add Tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Top the glass with soda water.
6. Garnish with a mint sprig.
7. Enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: Tres Agaves Blanco

Tequila Daisy

The Tequila Daisy is perhaps a little outdated but it makes a nice refreshing cocktail ideal for the summer season.

Easy to make just demanding natural ingredients to taste better!

Tequila Daisy Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
• Soda water
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Tequila Daisy Preparation Method:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine Tequila, lime juice, and grenadine syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
4. Top the glass with soda water.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.
6. Enjoy!

Tequila Fizz

This is another refreshing and sweet cocktail as it uses simple syrup and typically made with Gin.

You can replace the syrup with agave nectar if you want!

Tequila Fizz Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Soda water
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Tequila Fizz Preparation Method:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine Tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
4. Top the glass with soda water.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.
6. Enjoy!

Tequila Smash

This is a cocktail I’m particularly fond of as it includes berries which is my favourite form of fruit.

It also includes mint leaves providing a refreshing touch making it particularly good.

If you want to make it sweeter add more simple syrup to it.

Tequila Smash Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3-4 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 3-4 fresh mint leaves
• Club soda
• Ice

Tequila Smash Preparation Method:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the sliced strawberries and mint leaves.
2. Add Tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with a strawberry and a sprig of mint.
7. Enjoy!

Recommended Tequila: Milagro Silver

Tequila Cocktails final note

As opposed to what you hear in the legacy media or other websites, you don’t need to spend much in a Tequila to make cocktails.

In fact, cheap Tequilas are a better option as they tend to be more peppery and a bit more boozy making cocktails more flavorful and rewarding.

You can read this post in Spanish by visiting: Cócteles con Tequila!