17 Tequila Cocktails You Need To Try

Everybody loves a good cocktail. Cocktails are spirits mixed with juice, tonic water, or flavored syrup. The term cocktail was used as early as the turn of the 19th century.

Cocktails are mixed with a variety of liquors. Some of the most popular cocktails are those mixed with tequila. Tequila is a distilled liquor made from the blue agave plant. And here are 17 tequila cocktails you need to try.

Jump to:

• Classic Tequila Cocktails
• 1. Margarita
• 2. Tequila Sunrise
• Simple Tequila Cocktails
• 3. Paloma
• 4. Ranch Water
• Best Tequila Cocktails
• 5. Tequila Old Fashioned
• 6. Manhattan
• Colorful Tequila Cocktails
• 7. Siesta Cocktail
• 8. Mexican Sunset
• Camino Tequila Cocktails
• 9. Batanga
• 10. La Bandera
• Reposado Tequila Cocktails
• 11. Cantarito
• 12. Negroni
• 5 Tequila-Based Cocktails
• 13. Mexican Mule
• 14. Long Island Iced Tea
• 15. Screwdriver
• 16. Coco Loco
• 17. Tequila Sour
• 📖 Recipe

Classic Tequila Cocktails

Below are some classic tequila cocktails loved by everybody.

1. Margarita

Legend has it that Carlos ‘Danny’ Herrera invented the Margarita in 1938 at the Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana, Mexico. Herrera mixed the drink for a female customer allergic to all liquors other than tequila.

The famous drink is mixed with lime juice, agave syrup, crushed or fresh ice, and sea salt. Immortalized in a song by Jimmy Buffett back in 1977, the tequila Margarita comes on the rocks, frozen, or in a mix.

2. Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise got its name from its golden appearance resembling the evening sun going down. The classic drink was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s and was first served at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona.

A Tequila Sunrise mixes shaved ice, 60 ml of tequila, 175 mL of orange juice, and 22 mL of Grenadine. The drink is topped with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry. Add a cocktail umbrella for a pleasant decoration.

Simple Tequila Cocktails

Below we’ve collected some simple tequila cocktails that anybody can make.

3. Paloma

The Paloma is believed to be the most popular cocktail among people from Mexico. The simple cocktail was invented after Prohibition and mixed with Squirt soda in 1938. Jarritos grapefruit soda was added after its creation in the 1950s.

A Paloma requires 1-½ ounces of tequila, ½ ounce of lime juice, and ½ cup of grapefruit soda. Jarritos is the soda of preference, but Fresca and San Pellegrino are popular substitutes. Rim a highball glass with fresh lime juice and sprinkle it with sea salt. Add ice to the glass, mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, pour, and enjoy.

4. Ranch Water

How Ranch Water got its name is a bit of a mystery. The simple tequila-based cocktail was created in Mexico in the late 1880s. The name either originated from its simplicity or from the ranch hands who consumed it during their workdays in the 19th century.

Ranch Water is quick and easy to make. Fill a glass halfway with crushed ice. Add 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 2 oz Tequila Blanco, and 6 oz sparkling mineral water. Garnish it with a lime wheel and a bendy straw.

Best Tequila Cocktails

Below are some of our favorite tequila cocktails.

5. Tequila Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned was created in the 19th century and named in the 1880s. The classic drink is considered a basic cocktail. The traditional version uses rye whiskey or bourbon.

The Tequila Old Fashioned replaces whiskey with 50 mL of Reposado or Anejo tequila. The recipe calls for 2 teaspoon of golden sugar, one dash of orange bitters, and an orange peel for the garnish. And an ice block or large cubes and stir.

6. Manhattan

The Manhattan cocktail has a very specific history. The cocktail is claimed to have originated in the Manhattan Club in New York City. Legend has it that the Manhattan was first mixed at a party for Lady Randolph Churchill in 1874. Like the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan is traditionally mixed with whiskey.

The tequila-based version of the popular drink is easy to mix and is served dry. Use 2 oz of Anejo Tequila, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, and two dashes of orange bitters. Garnish the drink with an orange twist for zest and decoration.

Colorful Tequila Cocktails

If you’re looking for a more colorful drink, give one of the colorful tequila cocktails below a try.

7. Siesta Cocktail

The Siesta cocktail is a modern drink increasing in popularity. A mixologist by the name of Katie Stipe created the Siesta cocktail in 2006. The drink is similar to the Hemingway Daiquiri. The Hemingway drink was created in the 1920s in a Cuban bar called El Floridita.

Add 2 oz of Silver Tequila to a cocktail shaker with ice. Include 0.5 oz of lime juice, 0.5 oz of grapefruit juice, 0.5 oz of Campari, and 0.5 oz of simple syrup. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. A coupe is preferred for this particular drink. Place a grapefruit twist into the cocktail for garnish, and this is the colorfully popular Siesta.

8. Mexican Sunset

The Mexican Sunset is a popular and colorful cocktail that reminds drinkers of a warm day on the beach. A Mexican Sunset is similar to a Margarita but does not require sea salt on the rim of the glass.

Shake 60 ml of tequila in a mixer with 30 ml of Amaretto, 30 ml of Peach Schnapps, and 60 ml of pineapple juice. Pour the contents into an ice-filled glass and add a splash of Grenadine. Add a few cherries and a slice of lime to liven it up.

Camino Tequila Cocktails

Camino tequila cocktails are made with a unique type of tequila. Check out our recipes below.

9. Batanga

Camino Real Tequila gets its name from the agaves that make up its composition. The blue agaves used in the tequila grow 2,000 meters above sea level. The word Camino means “high” in Spanish.

The Batanga is a popular tequila cocktail made with Camino Real’s Tequila Blanco. Stir two parts of the tequila with ½ part lemon juice, and four parts cola. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes, stir, and garnish with them. This concoction is the Batanga.

10. La Bandera

The Bandera is a fun and festive cocktail that requires three separate glasses to enjoy. This tequila-based drink is not well known in the United States. But the name means “the flag” in Spanish. The cocktail is a set of three drinks, each representing one of the three colors of the Mexican flag.

Fill a double-sized shot glass with Tequila Blanco for the color white. Fill a second shot glass with freshly-squeezed lime juice to represent the color green. Finally, fill a third double-sized shot glass with sangrita. Sangrita is a spicy tomato juice blend. Drink each in succession and celebrate La Bandera.

Reposado Tequila Cocktails

Reposado is a unique type of tequila perfect for several cocktails. Check out the recipes below.

11. Cantarito

This citrusy cocktail is made with Reposado Tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and just a pinch of sea salt. The salt gives the drink a kick that balances the fruitiness.

The classic cocktail comes served in a clay pot called a jarrito. Add lemon juice, grapefruit juice, and agave nectar for a more authentic feel.

12. Negroni

A Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail that was created in 1919. The traditional Negroni is one part gin, one part vermouth Rosso, and one part Campari. The drink is becoming increasingly popular, and film star Stanley Tucci is a well-known Negroni drinker.

However, a current version of the tequila Negroni is making the rounds on TikTok. House of Dragons star Emma D’arcy swears by this drink. A Spicy Tequila Negroni is made with one ounce of Tequila Blanco, one-ounce Sweet Vermouth, one ounce Campari, and one ounce of Ancho Reyes.

5 Tequila-Based Cocktails

There are a variety of tequila cocktails available for enjoyment. Some of these are variations of other popular mixed drinks like the Moscow Mule. Replacing whiskey and other spirits with tequila brings a new flavor to traditional cocktails.

13. Mexican Mule

A Mexican Mule cocktail is the perfect mixture of spice and sweetness. It’s a unique twist on the classic Moscow Mule, adding tequila and spices to make a savory yet delightful drink.

The tequila brings heat to the beverage while the other ingredients provide a burst of flavor that draws out its smooth taste.

14. Long Island Iced Tea

Ready to make an unexpected twist on a classic? Long Island iced tea meets tequila in this sophisticated yet tasty cocktail concoction. Here’s how to make the perfect Long Island iced tea tequila cocktail.

To create your perfect Long Island Iced Tea Tequila Cocktail, you'll need one shot of tequila, two shots of vodka, one shot of triple sec, a splash of lime juice, and cola as a top-up. You will also need sugar cubes and some ice for stirring and cooling the mixture.

15. Screwdriver

Tequila isn’t just for shots -- it can be delicious in cocktails, too. The Screwdriver Tequila Cocktail is an easy-to-make drink with sweet and tangy components that make it a great choice for any summertime party.

This simple screwdriver cocktail pairs well with nearly any summery food you may serve at your gathering, particularly Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, or nachos. Its light flavor also makes it perfect for sipping by itself on a hot day! If you’re looking for something more exciting than a regular screwdriver, give this tequila twist a try – you won’t regret it!

16. Coco Loco

The Coco Loco tequila cocktail is a delicious combination of sweet and spicy. Made with tequila, homemade fennel-melon syrup, and fresh lime juice, this beverage is sure to please any palate!

Whether you're sipping it on the beach or serving it at a summer barbecue, this delightful cocktail will bring some tropical vibes and an unbeatable flavor that everyone will love.

17. Tequila Sour

Tequila Sour is one of the foundations of the classic margarita cocktail. This tasty and refreshing drink has become a staple in bars and households alike, and it's not hard to see why. With simple ingredients that you can find at almost any store, Tequila Sour is a great way to add an extra splash of flavor to your next party!

Enjoying this delicious beverage couldn’t be simpler – but if you want an extra kick, try combining other liqueurs such as triple sec and adding bitters to create unique variations on this classic recipe! Tequila Sour is easy and versatile enough to please everyone, so get ready to have some fun creating your own signature cocktail every time you entertain guests!