23 Tequila Drinks to Get the Party Partying
What is it about tequila drinks that gets people moving and talking? Alcohol, sure, but remember how you felt the last time you had a jalapeño margarita as opposed to a rye whiskey old-fashioned or red wine sangria? Tequila just hits different. Whether you’re pouring up a retro tequila sunrise with freshly squeezed OJ and DIY grenadine, a bloody maria with canned tomato juice, or a kombucha-spiked sparkler, the proof is in the fact that, once you pass out a round of mixed drinks with tequila, the party lights up.
But before we share our favorite tequila cocktail recipes, let’s talk about types of tequila. Mezcal is any spirit made from the agave plant; tequila is made from only one varietal, the blue Weber agave, also known as blue agave. The different types mainly have to do with maturity. There’s blanco tequila (sometimes called plata or silver tequila), which isn’t aged; reposado tequila, which sits in a barrel for 2–11 months; and añejo tequila, which is aged for 1–3 years in an oak barrel. Okay, that’s a good start.
Now, here are our favorite tequila drinks. Get out your shaker and do us proud.
Photographs by Yudi Ela, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio1/23Tequila, Beer, and Citrus Cocktail
We prefer a Mexican beer such as Victoria or Pacifico for this tequila drink, which would be great with some eggy breakfast burritos.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.3/23Citrus Slushy
This recipe relies on a powerful blender to do the work, whirring up a combination of frozen peeled orange and lemon wheels with maple syrup, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kat Boystova, prop styling by Allie Wist5/23Hibiscus–Tequila Sparkler
Alex Lau6/23Tiki Cantaloupe-Coconut Cocktail
What says carefree like sipping a tequila cocktail—with coconut milk, lime juice, agave nectar, and Midori—out of the bowl of a fresh cantaloupe half? Nothing.
Photo by Wynn Myers7/23Common Lily
Crush blackberries to a pulp for this summery drink that gets a dash of Suze, a bittersweet aperitif with a floral, herbal backbone. In late summer, swap in diced plums; in fall, use fresh figs.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris8/23Summery Sour
A fruity, wonderfully balanced sipper made from sweet, peak summer peaches and mangos alongside bright citrus juice and a base spirit of your choosing. You read that right: You could use tequila, sure, but you could also sub in gin or rum.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott9/23Aperol-Kombucha Cocktail
You can customize this Aperol-spritz-adjacent drink to your mood: We recommend a ginger- or lemon-flavored kombucha, but you could pick up assorted cans (think mango, guava, grapefruit, or berry) so guests can choose their own adventure.
Laura Murray12/23Afternoon Siesta
This tequila drink is built for an afternoon spent poolside. First, shake Campari, tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar with ice. Then, strain into a pint glass and top with IPA. Finally, carry it with you to a lounge chair.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Judy Mancini14/23Margarita Minus the Triple Sec
Traditional margaritas contain an orange liqueur such as Cointreau or another triple sec, which balances the tart lime and tequila. For something a little richer, you could sub in Grand Marnier. But in this recipe, we just use simple syrup. Why? Those liqueurs can mask the flavor of great tequila—and sometimes, we really want to taste the tequila.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Molly Baz, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen15/23Salted Watermelon Margarita
The salted watermelon juice in this margarita is a great way to use up the second half of that enormous summer beauty. If you’re reading this in the fall and need a Thanksgiving-friendly margarita, here’s one that’s all about the cranberry.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca16/23Garden Party Super Punch
Peden & Munk18/23Tequila Highball
Mix añejo tequila, elderflower cordial, lemon peel, and club soda, and you’ve got yourself a highball. Even simpler than that? Ranch water, which is typically made with tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico.
Alex Lau19/23Cilantro Margarita
This mojito-esque margarita recipe has one ingredient more than a classic margarita: cilantro. Averse to cilantro? Swap in mint for lean even further in the direction of that classic rum drink.
Peden + Munk22/23Especiado Cocktail
Roll up your sleeves; you’re going to do some cooking to make this drink. Boil a mixture of water, dried hibiscus flowers (find them at Mexican grocery stores), brown sugar, rosemary, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and star anise for about an hour and you’ve got the base for this tequila cocktail—or for a refreshing nonalcoholic drink if you mix it with sparkling water.
Alex Lau23/23Tepache Highball
Tepache is a liquor made in Mexico by fermenting juicy pineapple rinds. Mix in more booze, agave nectar, and club soda, and suddenly you’ve got a refreshing tequila drink.
