Beyond the Margarita: Creative Tequila Cocktails for Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, and tequila is a go-to spirit for many. While the classic Margarita is always a crowd-pleaser, there are many other creative tequila cocktails to try. Here are some ideas to help you explore the world of tequila beyond the Margarita
Paloma
Simple, refreshing, tangy – perfect for hot summer days where a cocktail is a need, not a want. Here comes the sun!
Ingredients
- Lime wedge, for optional rim
- Coarse salt, for optional rim
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1/4 to /2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, to taste
- 4 ounces grapefruit soda
Instructions
- Rim a glass with salt. Begin by wetting the rim with a lime wedge, then roll it in a small dish of salt.
- Fill the glass with ice and add the tequila and lime juice.
- Top it off with grapefruit soda and enjoy
Tequila Sunrise
Feeling the heat? Here’s a colorful and fruity drink that's perfect for brunch or a lazy afternoon by the pool.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- Orange slice, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass filled with ice cubes, pour the tequila and orange juice.
- Stir well.
- Slowly pour the grenadine around the inside edge of the glass. It will sink and gradually rise to mix with the other ingredients.
- Garnish with an orange slice and cherry. Serve and enjoy
Spicy Pineapple Margarita
Beat the heat with even more heat with a sweet and spicy drink! Summer is truly here and we’re welcoming it with a bang.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- 1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau
- 2 to 4 fresh jalapeño slices
- Ice
Instructions
- Rim the glass. Run a fresh lime wedge around the edge of the glass, then dip it in a plate of coarse sea salt.
- Add the tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, Cointreau, and jalapeño slices to a cocktail shaker or mason jar. Add a handful of ice, cover, and shake the margarita vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds until it is chilled.
- Strain the margarita into the prepared glass, fill with extra ice, top with any garnishes that you would like, and enjoy
Mexican Mule
A twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this refreshing drink is perfect for any and every summer occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- Lime slice
Instructions
- In a mug or glass, pour in the tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer.
- Add ice and garnish with a lime slice. Serve immediately
Tequila Sour
A frothy, citrusy and tangy cocktail that’s as easy to make as 1, 2, 3! Nothing tops a drink that you can whip up instantly.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Cocktail cherry and lime wedge
Instructions
- Add the tequila, lemon juice, lime juice, syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds.
- Add the ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake again for 30 seconds.
- Strain the drink into a glass, the foam will collect at the top. Serve with a lime wedge and a cocktail cherry
Watermelon Margarita
When you think of summer, watermelon will always be there. Pair it with tequila and you’ll have an amazingly refreshing drink!
Ingredients
- 6 cups cubed seedless ripe watermelon, chilled, enough for 3 cups juice
- 1/4 + ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup lime juice, plus lime slices for garnish (5 limes)
- 1 cup tequila
- ½ cup ice
Instructions
- Chop the watermelon. Add the watermelon cubes to a blender and blend until a juice forms. Then pour the juice through a strainer into a clean container.
- Measure out 3 cups of the watermelon juice, then add it back to the blender. Add the kosher salt, lime juice, tequila, and ice and blend until fully
- Serve immediately over ice, or chill for several hours and serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices
Tequila Sangria
Sangria is already amazing by itself but adding tequila? Now we’re talking! Wine, tequila and all the great things.
Ingredients
- 2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 limes, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 orange, halved and sliced into thin rounds
- 12 large fresh mint leaves, torn
- 2/3 cup agave nectar syrup
- 1/2 cup silver tequila
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 bottle white wine, chilled, such as a Sauvignon Blanc
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda, chilled
Instructions
- Place the sliced fruit and mint in a large pitcher and use a muddler to mash them together. Add the agave syrup, tequila and lime juice. Stir, and then stir in the white wine. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
- To serve, divide the fruit mixture among 8 glasses. Top each with about 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda and serve immediately.
Eyes here! Don’t close this page yet because we won’t leave you to fend on your own. Here are our recommended tequila brands for you to try out with these recipes:
- Cazadores Reposado
- Clase Azul Reposado
- Clase Azul Añejo
- Clase Azul Ultra