29 Tequila Cocktails to Give Your Signature Margarita Some Competition
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If the only tequila drinks you’ve had have all beenmargaritas, then you might be ready to try some other tequila cocktail recipes. A good bottle of tequila will have herbal, peppery flavors that will be bright and fresh (if it's a blanco) or slightly mellowed and creamy (if it's reposado tequila or añejo). You can think of tequila as a botanical spirit likegin,但是所有的植物味道自然out of the agave plant itself. Which is to say: The good stuff deserves a good cocktail. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite tequila drinks, including boozy stirred options and refreshingfrozen drinks, easy highballs, and yes, more than one spin on the marg you know and love. Get your cocktail shaker ready.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton1/29
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
并不是所有的龙舌兰酒鸡尾酒是动摇和杂乱。This stirred drink is sultry and herbal and smoky and yes, boozy, thanks to a mix of tequila and mezcal. If you like scotch andwhiskey drinks, it's wise to start your agave journey here. A flamed orange twist makes an extra-aromatic garnish.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton2/29
Rosie Ranch Water
Get your Topo Chico chilled. Epi contributor Kayla Stewartasked top Texas bartendershow they like to make this hydrating local favorite. This version from Houston’s Rosie Cannonball, which pairs tequila blanco with a pour of sotol or mezcal, knocked our socks off. The spicy salted rim, with its mix of herbs, flowers, and Aleppo-style pepper, is not to be skipped.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert3/29
The Ultimate Paloma Cocktail
How do you pack tequila drinks with vibrant grapefruit flavor? The move that's showcased in this Paloma recipe is layering in the citrusy character, using zingy grapefruit soda (Ting is ideal if you can get it) and a squeeze of fresh grapefruit juice too. Invite some friends over for aMexican feastand a few rounds of these. Wondering how strong your paloma is? Check out ourcocktail ABV calculator.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert4/29
The Classic Margarita
We know we promised that this wouldn't just be a list of margarita recipes. But it's worth remembering that the classic margarita is yours for tinkering. Some bartenders recommend 2 oz. tequila, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, and ¾ oz. Cointreau or other orange liqueur. Others dial down the tequila to 1½ oz., and do ¾ oz. each Cointreau and lime, plus ¼ ouncesimple syrup. If you prefer to drink yours up, just strain into a coupe.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton5/29
Frozen Rosalita
Where a margarita is usually sweetened with orange liqueur, the Rosalita uses bittersweet amaro for a touch more complex flavor without any additional work. This version of the drink is chilled in your freezer before it heads to the blender with a big scoop of ice. It's an Epicurious staff favorite for summertime.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart6/29
Blackberry Margarita
This simple spin on the classic marg makes a great extra-summery version of the drink. Peychaud's bitters add a hidden layer of flavor that makes the smashed ripe berries taste even better.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert7/29
Redheaded Saint
We've been using a lot ofraspberry syrupin our cocktails lately—especially in classic drinks like theClover Club. But this spin on the old-school El Diablo is one of our favorite ways to drink tequila. It's refreshing, bubbly, gingery, and nicely tart, with a touch of smoke from a little mezcal.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart9/29
Avocado Margarita
Making a cordial might sound like a project, but it's really just throwing some stuff in your blender and pressing play. And that tiny step is absolutely worth it for this luscious, creamy take on the margarita.
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Photograph by Natalie Migliarini and James Stevenson10/29
Enjoying a Margarita in Venezia
You've probably paired tequila with orange liqueur before, but what about orangeyAperol? Think of this as a bright and bittersweet Aperol margarita, honoring both Italy and Mexico. This drink recipe appears inBeautiful Boozeby Natalie Migliarini and James Stevenson.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton11/29
3-Ingredient Grilled Orange Margarita
If you'regrillingoutside, consider making a memorable cocktail to serve alongside your food by charring some oranges for this easy drink.
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Photo by Ed Anderson12/29
Cucumber Cilantro Margarita
This recipe fromTrejo's Tacosmight just be the path to one of the most refreshing tequila cocktails of all time. Pairing the spirit with cilantro and cooling muddled cucumber is a move we'll come back to.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne13/29
Frozen Margarita
If you like your margs on the dry side, this frozen margarita recipe fromGourmetis for you. If you like your drinks a little fruitier or sweeter, increase the sugar or orange liqueur (Grand Marnier or Cointreau both work, or any decent triple sec) to taste.
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Photo by Doron Gild14/29
Rosita
This brisk and bracing tequila aperitif is likely to appeal if you love anegroniwith your pre-dinner snacks. Jim Meehan recommends serving it up, as shown, in his book,Meehan's Bartender Manual, but we also really like it poured over ice in a rocks glass.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt15/29
Salty Paloma Soda Can Cocktail
This easy grapefruit and tequila cocktail is served right in the seltzer can. A sprinkle ofsalt brings out the flavor. Who needs glassware?
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Eric Medsker Photography16/29
Retox Cocktail
This spicy riff on the margarita from New York bartender Sother Teague'sI'm Just Here for the Drinkswas inspired by popular detox cleanses. It may not be a health drink, but it is delicious. Instead of honey, simple, or agave nectar, the sweetener here is flavorful maple.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton17/29
Warm Comfort
Yep, tequila can betoddied—in fact, hot drinks are some of the best tequila cocktails we know. Bookmark this steaming option for cooler weather, when you're craving comforting chamomile.
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Photo by Wynn Myers18/29
Common Lily
At the peak ofblackberryseason, this cocktail will be full of flavor. In fall, though, you can substitute a fig instead.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou20/29
Turmeric-Cumin Margarita
The smoky cumin salt rim on this margarita enhances the depth of this slightly savory drink. It's great for pairing with appetizers or grilled food.
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Photo by Laura Murray21/29
Afternoon Siesta
A little beer can make tequila cocktails extra refreshing. This recipe from Tristan Willey pairs bitter, hoppy IPA with fresh lime, Campari, and your favorite blanco tequila. Don't add the beer until after the drink is shaken, though.
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Photo by Shannon Sturgis22/29
Say Anything
Spicy tequila is a fan favorite; that's why jalapeño margaritas have so many fans. In this drink from Leyenda in Brooklyn, jalapeño-infused tequila is paired with sweetened watermelon, mint, lime, and a little cachaça.
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Kate Mathis23/29
Melon Lime Slushy
This frosty drink is as refreshing as frozen lemonade but has the added lushness of ripe melon. Fresh thyme gives the fruit's sweetness some grown-up dimension.
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Alexandra Grablewski24/29
Chipotle Sangrita
Instead of making tequila cocktails, how about just prepping a nice accompaniment for your tequila? This simple sangrita is made with just canned chipotle, fresh lemon juice, and tomato juice. Skip the Bloody Mary and serve this instead.
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Photo by Lindsay Landis, Taylor Hackbarth25/29
Frozen Sunrise Margaritas
This fruity frozen drink is a throwback to thetequila sunrise, though you can secretly fancy up these tequila cocktails by usinghomemade grenadineand high-quality maraschino cherries.
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Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Molly Baz, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen26/29
Salted Watermelon Margarita
Watermelon juice is sweet enough that this drink doesn't require any added sugar. We can't imagine a better option for drinking poolside or enjoying at an outdoor brunch.
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Photographs by Yudi Ela, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio27/29
Tequila, Beer, and Citrus Cocktail
Tiffanie Barriere's brilliant move in this citrusy drink: a dollop of red pepper jelly sweetens and brings the heat.
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Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kat Boystova, prop styling by Allie Wist28/29
Hibiscus–Tequila Sparkler
Hibiscus tea adds tangy flavor to this effervescent cocktail. It's one of those tequila drinks that really works year-round.
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca29/29
Garden Party Super Punch
You've gotta love tequila cocktails that you don't have to shake up individually, like this fresh and summery punch, which brings together reposado tequila, chilled green tea, sparkling wine, and a homemade mango-peach syrup.
ByAl Sotack
ByMaggie Hoffman
ByThe Editors of Epicurious
ByMaggie Hoffman
ByAl Sotack
ByThe Editors of Epicurious