Nothing says vacation quite like tequila. Especially if you are landlocked, you may want to be transported to a beach, even if it’s just to sip a cocktail while celebrating a big life moment or cooking out with friends. Something magical happens when this clear distilled spirit, made from the fermented juice of the agave plant, turns up in a cocktail.
Some Tequila Favorites
Of course, many will simply opt to imbibe the artistry of tequila concoctions. Here are some of my favorite recommendations for tequila-based cocktails:
Strawberry Margarita
6 oz. Tequila
2 oz. Triple sec
8 oz. Frozen sliced strawberries in syrup
4 oz. Frozen limeade concentrate
Fill a blender with ice and crush. Pour in the tequila and triple sec. Add the strawberries and limeade. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Serve in margarita glasses with the rims dipped in granulated sugar.
Tequila Sunrise
1 ½ oz. Tequila
¾ cup Orange juice
¾ oz. Grenadine syrup
Orange slice, for garnish
High-quality maraschino cherry, such as Luxardo, for garnish
In a highball glass filled with ice, pour in the tequila and orange juice. Slowly pour the grenadine into the glass over the back of a spoon or by drizzling it down the side of the glass, allowing it to settle at the bottom. Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.
Casa Ginger Mint Paloma
2 oz. Tequila
1 ½ oz. Grapefruit juice
1 oz. Fresh lime juice
½ oz. Simple syrup
8-10 mint leaves
Muddle herbs. Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker. Add ice. Shake vigorously for 8 to 10 seconds. Fine strain into a highball glass. Add fresh ice. Garnish with grapefruit wheel and mint sprig.
El Galivan
2 oz. Tequila
½ oz. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit Juice
¾ oz. Fresh-squeezed lime juice
¾ oz. Demarara syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
Grapefruit soda
Add all ingredients except soda in the shaker; add ice, shake, and strain over ice in a highball glass. Top off with Mexican soda and garnish with a lime wheel.
Blue Margarita
Coarse salt, for optional rim
1 ½ oz. Tequila
1 oz. Blue Curaçao liqueur
1 oz. Freshly squeezed lime juice
Lime wedge
Combine the tequila, blue curacao and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Add a dash of Sweet and Sour mix (if desired); shake again. Strain into a glass with fresh ice. The rim can be salted or not as preferred.
More Inspired Tequila Cocktails
These cocktails are just the beginning for your exploration of how to use tequila in cocktails. As you try new expressions, you may also want to expand your cocktail-making experience. There are dozens of additional tequila in the Cocktail Lounge Tequila and Mezcal Collection.
