For the best Tequila cocktail recipes, the spirit can be an assertive but extremely rewarding flavour profile to work with. Unlike more neutral spirits like vodka which easily blends its way into a crowd of different characters, Tequila offers bold and unapologetic flavours, often rewarding to those who attempt to embrace it. It’s complex flavour profile boasting distinct earthy sweet tones culminating in that unmistakeable tequila kick, provides a bartender’s playground of experimentation inspiring delightful cocktails that span from complex and nuanced to brash and to the point. We’ve curated a list of what we think are 7 wonderful and exciting tequila-based cocktails that go way beyond the classic Margarita.
Go on, have a scroll.
(MEZCAL) PALOMA
Ok slightly cheating at the first checkpoint but this is Margarita’s best performing cousin and our favourite on the Mezcal roster—bright grapefruit and agave cocktail perfection
Ingredients
- 50ml mezcal
- 20ml fresh lime juice
- 80ml fresh grapefruit juice
- 15ml agave syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Grapefruit wedge and salt rim for garnish
Method
Rim a coupe glass with salt and leave in the fridge to chill
Add mezcal, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake well for 15 seconds
Strain into prepared glass
Garnish with grapefruit wedge
SPICY COCONUT MARGARITA
Tropical coconut sweetness meets jalapeño heat in this socially and trending margarita twist
Ingredients
- 50ml blanco tequila
- 25ml coconut liqueur (Malibu or Kalani)
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- 15ml agave syrup
- 2-3 thin slices jalapeño (muddled)
- Tajín and salt for rim
- jalapeño slice for garnish
Method
(Prepare the glass) Sprinkle tajin onto a plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass, then dip into the tajin to rim. Leave to chill.
Muddle jalapeño slices in a shaker
Add tequila, coconut cream, Cointreau, lime juice, agave, and ice
Shake vigorously for 20 seconds
Double strain into prepared glass
Garnish with jalapeño slices if desire
EL DIABLO
A devilishly good combination of tequila and blackberry, complimented by fiery ginger beer
Ingredients:
- 50ml blanco tequila
- 15ml crème de cassis
- 20ml fresh lime juice
- 10ml agave syrup
- 60ml ginger beer
Method:
Add tequila, cassis, lime juice, and agave to a shaker with ice
Shake well for 10 seconds
Strain into a glass with large ice-cubes
Top with ginger beer
Stir gently
COLLETTI ROYALE
An elegant, lighter alternative to an Aperol Spritz, providing a sparkling celebration of blood orange, elderflower, and tequila
Ingredients
- 40ml blanco tequila
- 15ml Cointreau
- 10ml St-Germain
- 30ml fresh blood orange juice
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Prosecco or champagne to top (approximately 30-40ml)
- Blood orange wheel for garnish
Method
Add tequila, Cointreau, St-Germain, blood orange juice, lemon juice, and orange bitters to a shaker with ice
Shake well for 15 seconds
Strain into a chilled Spritz or large wine glass
Top with prosecco
Garnish with blood orange wheel
WHITE DRAGON
A silky, citrus-forward tequila sour crowned with a velvety foam finish
Ingredients
- 50ml blanco tequila
- 20ml Cointreau
- 25ml fresh lemon juice
- 15ml simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Orange peel for garnish
Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker
Dry shake (without ice) vigorously for 15 seconds (to emulsify egg white)
Add ice and shake again for another 15 seconds
Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
Express orange peel oils over foam, then discard or place as garnish
Note: The egg white creates that silky texture and luxurious foam top, the more you shake the better!
AUTUMN PEAR SPICE
A warming, elegant cocktail that balances fresh pear with warming spices
Ingredients
- 50ml reposado tequila
- 25ml pear liqueur
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 15ml honey-cinnamon syrup*
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Fresh pear slice and star anise for garnish
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a thin pear slice and star anise
Honey-Cinnamon Syrup: Gently heat equal parts honey and water with 2 cinnamon sticks. Simmer for 5 minutes, cool, and strain.
MEXICAN BANANA
A spirit forward expression of banana and tequila with layered ‘caramely’ depth.
Ingredients
- 50ml Añejo tequila
- 15ml banana liqueur
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 10ml Drambui
- 2 dashes mole bitters
- Torched banana chip and lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
Double strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass over a large ice cube
Express lemon peel oils over the drink, then discard
Garnish with a torched banana chip for caramelised depth
If you want to make an impact at your next private or corporate event, get in contact today for bespoke and signature cocktails, bespoke and mobile bar designs, exceptional service and catering options to match.At Exquisite events, we build cohesive offerings around your event vision and design, and then handle the rest so you don’t have to.
If your ready to go beyond standard Margaritas at your next event and make it one to remember, start a conversation with us today.
