18 Best Tequila Cocktails To Make At Home

18 Best Tequila Cocktails To Make At Home

Tequila was once an underrated liquor—outside of Texas icehouses at least—and relegated largely to the college-aged coalition. However, the agave spirit is finally receiving much-overdue attention and admiration by those who love a unique, refreshing cocktail. And it’s about time! While it always comes in handy to have the perfect go-to recipe for iced-down Classic Margaritas and iconic Texas Ranch Waters, there’s so much more that can be done to take tequila to delicious new levels.

We’ve got a frozen peach cocktail that tastes like summer in a sip, a serrano-infused watermelon spritz that goes down way too easy, and even a savory Bloody Maria that will make you rethink the traditional brunch drink. Read on for our 18 best tequila cocktail recipes that perfectly balance sweet, tart, spicy, and more.


Dotdash Meredith



A simpler and fruiter version of a margarita, a paloma is a refreshing choice when you want a tart and sweet drink that looks extra pretty in your glass. You can use sparkling water, such as Topo Chico, or Jarritos if you prefer something sweeter.



Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Say hello to your new favorite way to make use of in-season peaches. These frozen cocktails are refreshing for a hot day, and don’t forget the chile-lime seasoning for the rim. It’s essential.



Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

Perhaps the tequila drink that Texans are the most passionate about, ranch water is perfect in its simplicity. A traditional recipe only calls for three ingredients: tequila of your choice, fresh lime juice, and Topo Chico.



Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox



This spirited brunch cocktail (that is also a favorite for game days) gives a classic Bloody Mary a Tex-Mex twist. You switch out vodka for tequila instead, and we recommend adding a chile-lime rim.



Dotdash Meredith



If you like margaritas with fruitiness, watermelon is such a delicious addition for a touch of sweetness and flavor. Tip: The watermelon is going to make or break your margarita. We call for a seedless watermelon to streamline the process, but you can also use your favorite farmers’ market find.



Will Dickey

The origin of this version of a margarita must stem back to Texans who prefer a little extra sweetness. Orange juice is the magic ingredient, which happens to pair well with Triple Sec, tequila, and lime juice.



Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley



The best blend of tart, sweet, and boozy, these pomegranate-infused cocktails take a couple extra ingredients, but it’s so worth it for the colorful punch of flavor. Plus, they make a festive option during the holiday season.



Antonis Achilleos

Everyone needs a go-to frozen drink recipe for when it starts getting scorching-hot outside in the South. This makes a big batch for sharing.



Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos

With this short ingredient list, you will memorize it after making the recipe just one time. This old-school cocktail calls for orange juice and grenadine for a sweet refresher.



Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely



This drink is worth getting festive for—during the holidays and all year long. The slightly savory big-batch cocktail includes a surprising ingredient: clamato juice.



Becky Luigart-Stayner

For those who like a slightly less strong cocktail, a spritzer is the way to go. These spritz cocktails are part margarita, part daiquiri. Use store-bought frozen daiquiri mix for ultimate hosting ease.



Katie Jacobs

If you love the taste of a fresh, mint-muddled mojito, but prefer tequila over rum, this recipe offers the best of both worlds.



Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn



Dress up a traditional ranch water by adding in a splash of pomegranate juice. It adds a sweet tartness, as well as turns it a party-ready color!



Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox



No need for pre-made, sugar-laden mixes with this simple go-to margarita recipe. (Homemade always tastes way better.) You can add agave syrup for sweetness if you want, but the orange liqueur provides a good bit.



Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Fresh watermelon from your local farmers’ market is going to mellow out the heat of this serrano-infused spritz and add classic summer flavor. Those desiring a weaker sipper can add a splash more of seltzer as needed.



Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall



Tequila is just one of the stars in this hilariously liquor-heavy drink. Some people in Tennessee claim this cola-sweetened cocktail actually comes from Long Island, a community in Kingsport, Tennessee, not New York’s peninsula by the same name.



Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn



A mix of a margarita and paloma, this recipe is just the thing to quench your thirst on a sunny day hanging on the porch. A pinch of salt rounds out the bitterness of the grapefruit and the acidity of the lime.



Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Fresh mint can easily upgrade any cocktail with just a little bit of muddling. From a glance, this recipe is a pretty basic margarita, but mint takes it to the next level.


Eva Longoria: Mexican food is ‘so much more’ than tacos and tequila

Eva Longoria: Mexican food is ‘so much more’ than tacos and tequila

Editor’s Be aware: The CNN Original Sequence “Eva Longoria: Exploring for Mexico” premieres on CNN at 10 p.m. ET/PT Sunday, March 26. Indication up for CNN’s Unlocking Mexico newsletter for additional.



CNN
 — 

Pans clattered in the track record as Eva Longoria searched for her earbuds so she could talk while cooking lunch for her relatives in the kitchen area of their Mexico Metropolis residence.

“There’s not a wasted minute that transpires in my day,” Longoria mentioned. That involves gearing up for the March 26 premiere of her new CNN Tv set collection “Searching for Mexico,” a show that can take an immersive glimpse at the foodstuff and lifestyle of 6 extremely diverse areas of the nation.

“A lot of folks imagine Mexico is tacos and tequila, ideal? And it is so much much more — it is so diverse and it is so elevated,” Longoria reported. “I consider individuals are going to not only drop in love with the foodstuff, but the individuals. … It is a jewel of a nation.”

Longoria has quite a few own connections to Mexico — she’s a self-explained “Texican,” born and elevated in Texas, in which her household has lived for generations, and she’s of Mexican heritage. Her partner is from Mexico, in which they reside with their 4-year-previous son.

Nevertheless there were being however things that surprised her — and her husband, who joined her during the filming of “Searching for Mexico” — about the country and its multifaceted society.

Longoria and her 4-year-old son, Santiago, enjoy churros during the filming of

“There were being 100 things he did not know,” she claimed. “He experienced in no way really been to the Yucatán. … He had under no circumstances truly seasoned Veracruz. And he did that with me. So it was pretty fun to even demonstrate him a aspect of Mexico he didn’t know.”

Food has often been a connection issue to her loved ones, Longoria states. She grew up on a ranch the place they lifted their personal food, and she took satisfaction in understanding to prepare dinner at a youthful age — something she’s passing on to her young son.

“He’s constantly in the kitchen,” she reported. “He likes to bake — you know, cookies, cake, Jell-O — and he does a ton of the chopping. He’s my sous chef.”

That is why she has usually manufactured time to put together foods for, and with, her household, even as she maintains a super-fast paced lifestyle as an actress, producer, director, activist and, now, a culinary tour guideline on “Searching for Mexico.”

Longoria discovered time to converse to us about what she learned from the clearly show. Here’s what she informed us:

On the variance involving US and Mexican society: “Mexicans, in general, genuinely worth everyday living and residing, the place I assume right here in the United States we actually worth perform and position, and accomplishment and attainment, and career and vocation — and we operate very challenging. If you glimpse at Europe and other nations — especially Mexico — they benefit loved ones and meal time. Which is why there’s siestas in the afternoon and all the suppliers shut since their tradition is, ‘Take your time, try to eat lunch, choose a nap.’ “

eva longoria mexico city 4

Actress and her partner reminisce about their initial day

How those people cultural variation are reflected in the way Individuals and Mexicans consume: “We’re (Us residents) are like go, go, go. Seize a sandwich. We invented espresso to go. If you go to Italy, they really don’t even have a to-go cup. They are like: ‘What are you chatting about? No, you can not have coffee to go — sit your ass down and delight in it!’

“That’s the major lesson I believe I discovered from Mexico and Mexicans: Food is a car to acquire and to communicate and to bond. It is not to entirely nourish. It’s to savor what you’re what you are tasting, to be in the existing. Seem at the hues on your plate and have a wonderful appreciation for the men and women who geared up this meal.”

Eva Longoria helps a member of the Muxe community prepare Zapotecan cuisine in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The uniqueness of Mexican cuisine: “Mexican delicacies as a entire is a single of the only cuisines that is protected by UNESCO as a cultural heritage. And what that signifies is you can trace Mexican meals back to by itself. Italy is recognized for pasta, but noodles really originated in Asia. Switzerland is identified for the ideal chocolate in the environment, but chocolate basically originated in Mexico. There has to be direct origins to be guarded by UNESCO.

“Now, there’s a large amount of impact on Mexican foodstuff due to the fact of colonization. It was a really vegetarian diet regime until finally the Spaniards arrived and brought pork, cows and dairy. The major asset to Mexican delicacies is its elements — the avocado, the tomato, chili, beans, corn. That is definitely the basis of that cuisine, and no person grows it superior than them.”

Her favorite episode of ‘Searching For Mexico’: “Probably my most loved episode was Veracruz, which they contact “the port of spice” due to the fact, traditionally, almost everything came into the Americas as a result of that port: Chinese impact, Caribbean influence, African influence these kinds of as the plátano (plantain) — that is an African influence, that’s a Caribbean impact, and it’s a massive section of the food plan there.

“It’s attention-grabbing to see what has survived and what has been folded into Mexican tradition and then what was turned down. I hope persons answer to it, simply because it’s just a lovely culinary journey. There was not an episode I didn’t cry. It is a lovely storytelling of Mexico.”

On what she hopes the show’s effects will be for tourism in Mexico: “It would be wonderful for the state of Mexico for people to experience what I bought to practical experience in ‘Searching for Mexico.’ A massive reason why I preferred to do this show is to increase relations with Mexico and the United States, and I feel the least complicated way to do that is by means of food stuff.”

Signal up for CNN’s Unlocking Mexico e-newsletter. This 4-component series explores Mexico’s vibrant heritage and attributes recipes from Eva Longoria. ¿Quieres leer esta serie en español? Suscríbete aquí.

11 Best Tequila Cocktail Recipes, From Margaritas to Paloma

11 Best Tequila Cocktail Recipes, From Margaritas to Paloma

Many thanks to its earthy, somewhat sweet taste, tequila is a person of the most functional liquors on your bar cart. The distilled spirit is manufactured from blue agave, a cactus-like plant that is indigenous to Mexico. Depending on how long tequila is aged, it can appear in a spectrum of shades, from distinct (unaged blanco) to a warm amber (aged anejo). It is fantastic to sip on its personal and also makes a terrific basis for cocktails.

While a margarita may perhaps be the initial issue that arrives to brain when you think of tequila consume recipes, there are a good deal of cocktails to make with a bottle (you can even cook dinner with it!). Even the margarita itself is endlessly customizable. Include other citrus fruits to the lime juice or infuse the tequila with jalapeño for an unanticipated kick of heat the list of methods to jazz up a margarita goes on and on.

If you are searching to check out all that tequila has to present, glance no more than this checklist of pleasurable, quick-to-make cocktails, all showcasing the Mexican spirit.

Classic Margarita Cocktail

Getty Pictures

Every person should have a classic margarita recipe in their back again pocket and we really suggest this one from award-winning mixologist Ivy Mix. The drink by itself calls for just 4 ingredients — tequila, Cointreau, new lime juice and basic syrup — so be certain to use superior-high quality booze. Correct to custom, the shaken cocktail is poured into a salt-rimmed glass.

Grilled Paloma Cocktail

Today

Consider the paloma — a Mexican cocktail typically designed with grapefruit soda — to the up coming level by including new juice and some char. Grill the grapefruit and limes and merge the juices with the tequila, very simple syrup and club soda to sort a consume which is bubbly, tart and smoky all at after.

Frozen Aperol Peach Margarita Pitcher

Nathan Congleton / Now

This dreamy frozen margarita tastes like summer in a pitcher. Showcasing a mix of tequila, aperol and Cointreau, the significant-batch drink will get its sweet, creamy taste from frozen peaches, honey and coconut milk.

Dan Levy's Cucumber-Jalapeño Margarita

Courtesy Cointreau

Like some heat in your drinks? Then this margarita is for you. The common tequila, triple sec and lime cocktail gets a kick of heat from sliced jalapeños, well balanced by the cooling aroma of muddled cucumbers.

Cara Cara Orange Margaritas

Tyler Essary / Right now

This margarita will get a double dose of citrus taste. Along with fresh lime juice, there’s a cup and a 50 {d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} of juice squeezed from Cara Caras, a navel orange that features a sweet, lightly tart flavor.

Ina Garten's Jalapeño Margarita

David Anderson / Right now

We all know that the Barefoot Contessa enjoys a great potent cocktail. When it will come to tequila beverages, she’s also a enthusiast of incorporating heat. In this article, Ina infuses blanco or silver tequila with a modest jalapeño right away in the fridge right before introducing triple sec, honey, salt and a duo of lime and lemon juices.

Christmas Margarita

Helen Healey / Nowadays

Elizabeth Heiskell provides the margarita a dose of Christmas cheer by adding cranberry and orange juices to the tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Garnishes like cranberries and rosemary sprigs increase to the vacation-ready sipper.

Tequila Sunrise Sangria

Nathan Congleton / Today

The tequila dawn and sangria arrive alongside one another to form this large-batch drink ideal for summer time parties. Blend a bottle of your favourite dry white wine with silver or gold tequila and each white grape and lime juices. Fall in slash grapes, limes and oranges to give it the entire sangria remedy.

Martha Stewart's Smoky Lemon Margarita

Alamy

The sweet puckery lemon is the star of Martha’s lively margarita. A home made easy syrup designed with sugar, lemon juice and zest sweetens the consume, which also calls for tequila and orange liqueur.

Jenna After Dark Cocktail

Right now

In this one of a kind margarita inspired by Jenna and bartender Tiffanie Barriere’s Texan upbringing, an apple-pepper jelly and sliced jalapeño operate with each other to bring on the heat. A brown sugar-salt rim can help tame the spice as you sip.

Smollett Siblings' Ginger Ale Margarita

Nathan Congleton / Currently

Hunting for something a minimal different? This recipe swaps glowing drinking water for ginger ale, which adds a zippy effervescence to the tequila, lime juice and agave.

11 tequila cocktail recipes that taste like vacation

11 tequila cocktail recipes that taste like vacation

Many thanks to its earthy, somewhat sweet flavor, tequila is a person of the most versatile liquors on your bar cart. The distilled spirit is manufactured from blue agave, a cactus-like plant that’s native to Mexico. Dependent on how very long tequila is aged, it can look in a spectrum of colours, from obvious (unaged blanco) to a warm amber (aged anejo). It’s amazing to sip on its have and also would make a fantastic basis for cocktails.

Even though a margarita could be the first issue that arrives to brain when you feel of tequila drink recipes, there are a good deal of cocktails to make with a bottle (you can even cook dinner with it!). Even the margarita alone is endlessly customizable. Increase other citrus fruits to the lime juice or infuse the tequila with jalapeño for an surprising kick of heat the checklist of approaches to jazz up a margarita goes on and on.

If you’re on the lookout to investigate all that tequila has to give, glance no more than this list of enjoyment, simple-to-make cocktails, all featuring the Mexican spirit.

Vintage Margarita Cocktail by Ivy Blend

Every person need to have a vintage margarita recipe in their back again pocket and we extremely recommend this a single from award-winning mixologist Ivy Mix. The consume alone calls for just 4 substances — tequila, Cointreau, fresh new lime juice and very simple syrup — so be sure to use substantial-top quality booze. Genuine to custom, the shaken cocktail is poured into a salt-rimmed glass.

Grilled Paloma Cocktail by Jon Taffer

Just take the paloma — a Mexican cocktail historically built with grapefruit soda — to the up coming level by adding fresh new juice and some char. Grill the grapefruit and limes and incorporate the juices with the tequila, very simple syrup and club soda to type a drink that’s bubbly, tart and smoky all at once.

Frozen Aperol Peach Margarita Pitcher by Elizabeth Heiskell

This dreamy frozen margarita tastes like summertime in a pitcher. Showcasing a mixture of tequila, aperol and Cointreau, the large-batch drink receives its sweet, creamy taste from frozen peaches, honey and coconut milk.

Dan Levy’s Cucumber-Jalapeño Margarita by Dan Levy with Cointreau

Like some heat in your beverages? Then this margarita is for you. The typical tequila, triple sec and lime cocktail receives a kick of heat from sliced jalapeños, well balanced by the cooling aroma of muddled cucumbers.

Cara Cara Orange Margaritas by Matt Abdoo

This margarita gets a double dose of citrus flavor. Along with refreshing lime juice, there’s a cup and a half of juice squeezed from Cara Caras, a navel orange that offers a sweet, frivolously tart flavor.

Ina Garten’s Jalapeño Margarita by Ina Garten

We all know that the Barefoot Contessa loves a good powerful cocktail. When it will come to tequila beverages, she’s also a admirer of adding heat. Below, Ina infuses blanco or silver tequila with a tiny jalapeño right away in the fridge in advance of introducing triple sec, honey, salt and a duo of lime and lemon juices.

Christmas Margarita by Elizabeth Heiskell

Elizabeth Heiskell gives the margarita a dose of Xmas cheer by incorporating cranberry and orange juices to the tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Garnishes like cranberries and rosemary sprigs increase to the holiday break-prepared sipper.

Tequila Dawn Sangria by Ingrid Hoffmann

The tequila sunrise and sangria arrive collectively to type this major-batch drink great for summer functions. Mix a bottle of your favored dry white wine with silver or gold tequila and both white grape and lime juices. Drop in lower grapes, limes and oranges to give it the whole sangria cure.

Martha Stewart’s Smoky Lemon Margarita by Martha Stewart

The sweet puckery lemon is the star of Martha’s energetic margarita. A selfmade very simple syrup made with sugar, lemon juice and zest sweetens the consume, which also phone calls for tequila and orange liqueur.

Jenna Soon after Darkish Cocktail by Tiffanie Barriere

In this exclusive margarita impressed by Jenna and bartender Tiffanie Barriere’s Texan upbringing, an apple-pepper jelly and sliced jalapeño function together to deliver on the warmth. A brown sugar-salt rim assists tame the spice as you sip.

Smollett Siblings’ Ginger Ale Margarita by Jazz Smollett

Looking for anything a tiny diverse? This recipe swaps sparkling water for ginger ale, which provides a zippy effervescence to the tequila, lime juice and agave.

This article was originally printed on Nowadays.com