Our Best 20 Tequila Cocktail Recipes for Agave-Soaked Margarita Happiness

Whether it's Cinco de Mayo or a regular Friday night, here are 20 drinks to make the most of tequila

By SAVEUR Editors
Updated: May 1, 2018

Made from the blue agave plant, tequila is a spirit with cult following. As any self-respecting tequila drinker knows, the best margarita recipes start with good tequila. With so many versatile styles of of the spirit, from añejo to reposado to blanco, you can find it both in the best summer cocktail recipes as well as the best fall weather cocktails. And with Cinco de Mayo approaching, nothing beats a good tequila cocktail to pair with your Cinco de Mayo recipes. From margaritas to palomas, here are the best tequila recipes to sip on (or get sloshed on).

Tomato and Orange Sangrita

Sangrita
This flavor-packed sipper is served alongside a neat glass of tequila at La Tequila in Guadalajara, Mexico. Do as many Mexicans do: A sip of tequila, a sip of sangrita—repeat, for the best experience. Ge the recipe for Tomato and Orange Sangrita »Matt Taylor-Gross

Classic Margarita

Classic Margarita
This recipe proves that simple can be delicious. We recommend using Herradura Silver Tequila. Get the recipe for Classic Margarita »Matt Taylor-Gross

Frozen Margarita

Frozen Margarita
In 1971 Mariano Martinez figured out how to make frozen margaritas from a soft serve ice cream machine—the rest is history. We recommend using Herradura Silver Tequila for this refreshing variation. Get the recipe for Frozen Margarita »Matt Taylor-Gross

Chile-Pomegranate Paloma

Chile-Pomegranate Paloma
While the margarita is far better known, the grapefruit-, tequila-, and soda-based Paloma is an equally refreshing Mexican classic. Using árbol chile-spiked grenadine as a sweetener—rather than agave nectar or simple syrup—adds smokiness and a touch of heat. Get the recipe for Chile-Pomegranate Paloma »Matt Taylor-Gross

Cilantro, Chile, and Pineapple Sangrita

Cilantro, Chile, and Pineapple Sangrita
This flavor-packed sipper is served alongside a neat glass of tequila at La Mezcaleria in Ajijic, Mexico. Do as many Mexicans do: A sip of tequila, a sip of sangrita—repeat, for the best experience. Get the recipe for Cilantro, Chile, and Pineapple Sangrita »Matt Taylor-Gross

Moradita

Beet Margarita
A jalapeño-infused, blood-colored tequila and beet cocktail, the Moradita ("Little Death"), is a fresh, nearly healthy-tasting drink with some real body and a balancing hint of elegant richness. Get the recipe for Moradita »Matt Taylor-Gross

The Soul Train

The Soul Train
Tequila and cardamom is an unexpected combination, but it works beautifully with the help of lime and grapefruit juice. Get the recipe for The Soul Train »Matt Taylor-Gross

Bala de Canon

Bala de Canon
Tequila, agave nectar, and cantaloupe purée get shaken up in this summery cocktail from Houston's The Pastry War. Get the recipe for Bala de Canon »Matt Taylor-Gross

Tequila Old Fashioned

Tequila Old Fashioned
Aged reposado tequila adds smooth vanilla notes to a light, citrusy twist on a classic old fashioned from Pittsburgh restaurant Verde Mexican Kitchen & Cantina. Get the recipe for Tequila Old Fashioned »Farideh Sadeghin

Calavera Catrina

Calavera Catrina
This tequila and cantaloupe cocktail from Edinburgh's The Lucky Liquor Co. is refreshing and fruity, making it the perfect summer drink. Get the recipe for Calavera Catrina »Matt Taylor-Gross

Margarita Al Jazeera

Margarita Al Jazeera
Jerusalem's most vibrant watering hole is Yudale, where the bar offers sui generis drinks that include this delicious, tequila-based creation infused with rose petals and cumin. The name is an homage to the many journalists who tramp through town. Get the recipe for Margarita Al Jazeera »André Baranowski

Romero and Julieta

Romero And Julieta Cocktail
Danny Sanchez of Rancho Pescadero in Mexico gave us the recipe for this vibrant, summery cocktail in honor of our 21st birthday. He starts with a tea made from dried hibiscus, then adds tequila, a rosemary-infused simple syrup, and lime juice. Get the recipe for Romero and Julieta »Matt Taylor-Gross

Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party
This refreshing, fragrant drink is served at The Marliave restaurant in Boston. It mixes grassy tequila with spicy ginger beer and a syrup infused with bergamot-flavored Earl Grey tea. Get the recipe for Boston Tea Party »Farideh Sadeghin

The Malibu

The Malibu
This refreshing tequila cocktail comes from the team behind Los Angeles' The Walker Inn. Inspired by the Pacific Coast Highway, it's infused with grapefruit and pisco, then softened with floral Lillet Blanc. Get the recipe for The Malibu »Farideh Sadeghin

Watermelon-Basil Cocktail

Watermelon-Basil Cocktail
Exceedingly well-balanced, this juicy cocktail from John Karangis of Union Square Events gets its sweetness from yellow watermelon, herbal freshness from Chartreuse and basil, and an astringent kick from tequila. While red watermelon will work in a pinch, you won't get the clarity of color unless you spring for the yellow. Get the recipe for Watermelon-Basil Cocktail »Matt Taylor-Gross

Tinegroni

Tinegroni
A snack-sized negroni with a savory agave twist from bartender Tristan Willey of Long Island Bar. Get the recipe for Tinegroni »Matt Taylor-Gross

Le Mexique

Mango Ginger Margarita
This tequila cocktail gets spicy sweetness from ginger liqueur and fruit-forward body from mango purée. Get the recipe for Le Mexique »SAVEUR

Grilled Pineapple Margarita

Grilled Pineapple Margarita
The Margarita is essential to America's canon of summertime drinks, and adding a grilled element makes it that much more American. Burnished pineapple adds a rich layer of fruitiness while mezcal lends a veil of smoke and spice. For even more smoke and spice, add a salt rim laced with chile powder and coriander. Get the recipe for Grilled Pineapple Margarita »Eric Medsker

Lavender Paloma

Lavender Paloma
Our twist on the classic tequila and grapefruit cocktail uses mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice, and lavender simple syrup for a drink that's simultaneously smoky, bright, and floral. Get the recipe for Lavender Paloma »Laura Sant

Green Variety Margarita

Green Variety Margarita
A spicy ginger kick and the subtle, unmistakably grassy sweetness of kale elevates this vegetal variation on the margarita, from the New York City bar The Wayland. Get the recipe for Green Variety Margarita »Matt Taylor-Gross

Smoked Lemon-Lime-Ade

Smoked Lemon-Lime-Ade
This lemonade is rendered smoky-sweet with the juice of grilled lemons and limes and toasted simple syrup, which has a mild caramel flavor that does a lot to complement the grilled fruit. Get the recipe for Smoked Lemon-Lime-Ade »Eric Medsker

Strawberry Cachaça Shake

Strawberry Cachaça Shake
Use an aged cachaça like Avuà Amburana to add warm depth to this fruity drink. Get the recipe for Strawberry Cachaça Shake »Farideh Sadeghin

Latest

Ganjang Gejang (Soy Sauce-Marinated Crabs)
Chicken, Chicken! Blue Apron Vet Matt Wadiak Is Raising A Better Bird
The Most Interesting Woman in the Restaurant Business...
Ganjang Gejang: A Dish You Only Make for Someone You Love
The 2020 Saveur 100: 91-100
Italian Beef Sandwich
Fall 2020: Ten Things We Learned from this Season’s Best Books
Ham-and-Jam Hand Pies
The 2020 Saveur 100: 64-80
ADVERTISEMENT