If your experience with tequila only goes as far as a shot with salt & lime (and maybe a classic margarita), you have reached tequila cocktail heaven!
It’s worth remembering that the most popular tequila cocktails usually feature either blanco or reposado varieties, shying away from the richer añejo sipping tequilas.
Blanco, with its crisp and fiery zest, lends a vivacious character to cocktails, while reposado, slightly mellowed by oak ageing, introduces a smooth, rich undertone, perfect for adding a layer of complexity.
You can use blanco tequila in any of these cocktails for a classic, sharp agave flavour or switch to reposado for a smoother, more sophisticated tequila cocktail experience.
10 Tequila Cocktails: Blanco or Reposado
From classics to contemporary twists, here is my take on the ten best tequila cocktails packed with agave allure.
1. Margarita
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Lime Juice
- Triple Sec
Review
Perhaps the quintessential tequila cocktail (and our favourite!), your Margarita glass must have a salted rim to get the full combo of zesty, salty, and agave flavours.
Predominantly featuring tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, this cocktail shines best when simplicity is front and centre, allowing the tequila to play off the sharp citrus and subtle sweetness.
How To Make This Cocktail
2. Paloma
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Grapefruit Soda
Review
A beloved concoction in Mexico, the Paloma offers a refreshing blend of tequila and grapefruit soda. Its name means ‘dove’ in Spanish.
The tart and tangy grapefruit elevates the herbal agave notes of tequila, crafting a drink that’s both spirited and soothing.
How To Make This Cocktail
3. Tequila Sunrise
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Orange Juice
- Grenadine
Review
A visually stunning cocktail, the Tequila Sunrise layers orange juice, tequila, and grenadine, which settles to create sunrise-like beams of warming light.
The Tequila Sunrise emerged from the high-society cocktail scenes of mid-20th century America, becoming a symbol of fun-filled, carefree nights.
How To Make This Cocktail
4. Sangrita
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Orange Juice
- Tomato Juice
- Chilli Peppers
Review
While not a cocktail in the traditional sense, Sangrita is a customary chaser for tequila in Mexico, combining orange juice, tomato juice, and spicy chilli peppers.
This concoction dates back to the 1920s, serving as a palate cleanser that enhances tequila’s crisp, earthy flavours.
How To Make This Cocktail
5. Matador
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Pineapple Juice
- Lime Juice
Review
I love this lesser-known but equally delightful tequila cocktail; the Matador blends pineapple juice, lime juice, and tequila for a tropical experience.
Originating from the 1960s, the Matador cocktail is a tropical twist on tequila’s sharp profile, with pineapple providing a sweet, lush backdrop.
How To Make This Cocktail
6. El Diablo
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Lime Juice
- Crème de Cassis
- Ginger Beer
Review
This devilishly tempting tipple mixes tequila with lime juice, crème de cassis, and ginger beer, creating a tequila cocktail that is both vibrant and complex.
The origins of the El Diablo cocktail trace back to the early 1940s, offering a balance of sweetness, acidity, and the peppery punch of ginger.
How To Make This Cocktail
7. Mexican Mule
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Ginger Beer
- Lime Juice
Review
The classic Moscow Mule reinvented, the Mexican Mule fuses the bite of ginger beer with tequila and adds a splash of lime. It is traditionally served in a rather fancy copper mug.
The result is a refreshing mix that highlights the tequila while harnessing a spicy kick of ginger. Delish!
How To Make This Cocktail
8. Tequila Sour
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Lemon Juice
- Agave Syrup
Review
The Tequila Sour, marrying tequila, lemon juice, and a hint of sweetness, often from agave syrup, showcases the versatility of tequila.
With roots deep in the cocktail tradition, the Tequila Sour draws inspiration from the classic whiskey sour, adapted to tequila’s bold, vivacious character.
How To Make This Cocktail
9. Juan Collins
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Lemon Juice
- Soda Water
- Agave Nectar
Review
A variant of the classic Tom Collins, the Juan Collins replaces gin with tequila, adding lemon juice, soda water, and agave nectar.
I find that the refreshing, fizzy nature and agave kick breathe new life into the traditional Collins template.
How To Make This Cocktail
10. Desert Rose
Main Ingredients
- Blanco or Reposado Tequila
- Prickly Pear Syrup
- Lime Juice
- Soda Water
Review
I recently discovered the Desert Rose. It is a modern addition to this cocktail line-up, blending tequila with prickly pear syrup, lime juice, and a splash of soda.
It’s as enchanting as its name suggests, with the prickly pear lending a unique, sweet-tart flavour profile that complements the robustness of tequila.
How To Make This Cocktail
Conclusion
Tequila is not some one-trick pony firewater reserved for shots with salt and lime, but I find it’s a nuanced spirit that can work its agave magic to any concoction.
All of these cocktails can use blanco tequila if you want a traditional crisp agave experience or replace it with reposado if you fancy a smoother, more refined tequila cocktail.
Also Read: The 9 Best Reposado Tequilas: Agave Liquid Gold
Whether you prefer a classic Margarita or the unusual innovation of the Desert Rose with its prickly pear syrup, each of these tequila-based cocktails needs exploring.
Also Read: 15 Reasons Why These Are The Best Blanco Tequilas
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
