20 Essential Tequila Cocktails You Have To Try

Reposado Old-Fashioned With Tequila and Nectarines — The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

Tequila cocktails are diverse and a lot of fun to explore. You can mix up the original margarita or enjoy it in a variety of flavors, from strawberry to tamarind. There are also tall, refreshing tequila mixed drinks, slow-sipping variations of famous whiskey and vodka cocktails, and tantalizing spicy cocktails. With each recipe, you get an entirely new experience.

The beauty of tequila is that its agave flavor brings an earthy, semi-sweet element to drinks. It's a flavor you won't find in any other distilled spirit, and it's fascinating to discover how that reacts with a variety of mixers. Whether you're a newcomer or experienced with this liquor, kick off your tequila adventure with a few essential cocktails that display the spirit's versatility.

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The Margarita

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The margarita is the best-known tequila cocktail. The original lime version is incredibly easy to mix up from scratch. It requires just three ingredients, and the fresh citrus flavor is captivating. Once you get a taste of an authentic margarita, there are many other margaritas to explore.

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Tequila Sunrise

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The beautiful tequila sunrise is another iconic cocktail. This simple mixed drink includes tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. Not only does the grenadine create a sunrise in your glass, but it also adds a fruity sweetness to contrast the tart citrus. With tequila hanging out in the background, it's easy to see why this will forever be a favorite.
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The Paloma

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The paloma may be one of the most underrated tequila cocktails. For this recipe, you'll choose your favorite tequila, add a little lime juice, then top it off with grapefruit soda. The simplicity does not do justice to the taste, and it's one of the best ways to experience the perfect pairing of tequila and grapefruit.
04 of 20

Tequila Collins

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Tequila makes an appearance in the collins drink family as well. While gin, whiskey, and vodka have long been the stars of this famous formula, a shot of tequila gives it new life. In the tequila collins, you'll pour lemon juice and agave nectar, then finish it off with club soda. These semi-transparent flavors allow a good tequila to shine in all its glory.

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05 of 20

The Tequini

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With all the martinis in the world, it shouldn't be a surprise that tequila has found its way into the mix. The tequini replaces gin with tequila, and it's a fascinating way to switch up a routine. The key to this drink is to start with the best blanco tequila you can find, then pair it with quality vermouth to create a dry cocktail with a shining personality.
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Dirty Tequila Martini

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Add a splash of olive juice to your tequila martini and you'll have a delightfully savory cocktail. Fantastic with reposado tequila, the dirty tequila martini is accented with orange bitters and can become as "dirty" as you like.
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Brave Bull

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Fans of the vodka-based black Russian will surely want to get a taste of the brave bull. Tequila's agave flavor adds a new dimension to the mixed drink, and the recipe shows off another fabulous tequila pairing. In this lowball, all you need is a little coffee liqueur for a fun twist on a happy hour staple.
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Envy Cocktail

The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Blue and green cocktails are alluring. Throw tequila into the mix, and you know it's time to get the party started! One of the best in this category is the stunning envy cocktail. This fancy little cocktail mixes tequila with the tropical fruit taste of blue curaçao and pineapple juice. When served in a cocktail glass, the turquoise drink works just as well for elegant affairs as it does for casual parties.

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09 of 20

Bloody Maria

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The bloody Mary is one of the most popular mixed drinks. Have you tried substituting tequila for the vodka? The bloody Maria recipe has everything that makes the original great, including savory tomato juice and all the classic spices customized to your taste. However, with tequila's agave flavor in the backdrop, this brunch cocktail is even more exciting.
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The Passion Cocktail

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The passion cocktail is an excellent choice when you're in the mood for the sweet taste of cranberry. Just like the cosmopolitan, you'll need cranberry and lime juices along with an orange liqueur like Grand Marnier. It's simple, lovely, and perfect for a romantic dinner (the recipe makes two drinks). You might even find that you prefer tequila over the vodka version.
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Sangrita

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Many shots and shooters use tequila, but few can rival the taste of the sangrita. This two-part shot is a taste experience like no other, and there are a couple of ways to make it. While the modern sangrita chases a shot of tequila with a spicy tomato juice mix, the original version is entirely different. It backs up the tequila with a shot of orange, lime, and grenadine that's laced with hot sauce.

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Dulce de Tequila

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Tequila makes an exciting dessert cocktail, though this recipe may not be what you expect. The dulce de tequila is a margarita of sorts, combining orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar with reposado tequila. It gets interesting when you pour a small shot of cognac, then give it a sugar rim for a perfectly subtle amount of sweetness.

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Reposado Old-Fashioned

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Love an old-fashioned but ran out of bourbon? Grab a bottle of reposado tequila instead! Similar to the original, the reposado old-fashioned is a stunning way to show off an exquisite tequila. It uses agave nectar for the sweetener and switches up the fruits to nectarine slices and Bing cherries. Give it a dash or two of bitters, and a fabulous cocktail is ready to enjoy.
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El Diablo

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El diablo is a cocktail that every tequila lover needs to taste. The recipe pairs an aged tequila with lime juice and the sweet black currant flavor of crème de cassis. Top it off with your favorite ginger beer to create a dazzling drink.
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Tamarind and Tequila

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Some flavor pairings are utterly perfect. Tamarind and tequila are among those, and the harmonious duo is the highlight of this simple highball. Mixing a blanco tequila and tamarind nectar, adding a hint of sweetness, then the sparkle of ginger ale creates a drink you definitely won't forget.
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Habanero Martini

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Spicy cocktails are a natural venue for tequila. In the habanero martini, the tequini gets a peppery kick that's sure to please palates that can handle the heat. The recipe is best with the reposado tequila base, which is accented with dry vermouth and garnished with a whole habanero pepper. The pepper slowly infuses its spice into the mix as you drink, and it won't get too hot before it's finished, but it will grab your attention!

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Tequila Caramel Apple Pie Cocktail

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Tequila plays nicely in apple martinis as well. Mixed with butterscotch schnapps, apple cider, and lemon juice, it creates a fabulously delicious caramel apple pie cocktail. As with any apple garnish, be sure to squeeze lemon juice over the drink's apple slices to keep them looking fresh.
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Tequila Pomegranate Cocktail

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The tequila pomegranate cocktail is an easy and satisfying mixed drink. It begins like a margarita, with a mix of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, but it's served tall over ice to create a most refreshing beverage.
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Tequilano

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For a dinner party, you'll definitely want to serve the tequilano. Featuring Campari and sweet vermouth, it's tequila's answer to the Negroni and makes an equally lovely apéritif. The key to bridging the gap between the contrasting flavors is a bit of agave nectar.
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Danny Ocean Cocktail

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The Danny Ocean cocktail is named after a famous movie character, and it's a fun twist on fruity margaritas. Rather than an orange liqueur, the drink's reposado tequila is accentuated with maraschino liqueur, while lemon and grapefruit juices give it a wonderful citrus base.