Tequila cocktails

Tequila is the agave spirit from Mexico and the base of the Margarita, the Paloma, the Tequila Sunrise and many modern classics. This page collects tequila cocktails from bright and citrusy to stirred and spirit-forward. You also learn what the labels blanco, reposado and añejo mean, why 100 percent agave matters and how to choose a bottle that makes your drinks taste of agave rather than just alcohol.

38 cocktails

What tequila is

Tequila is distilled from the cooked hearts of the blue Weber agave. By Mexican law it may only be produced in the state of Jalisco and in defined areas of a few other states. The agave hearts are cooked, crushed, fermented and distilled, typically twice.

100 percent agave or mixto

Bottles labelled 100 percent agave are made only from agave sugars. Tequilas without that statement, often called mixto, may contain up to 49 percent sugars from other sources. For cocktails, 100 percent agave tequila gives a much clearer, more vegetal and peppery flavour and is worth the small extra cost.

The age categories

Typical ratios

A classic Margarita uses about 50 ml blanco tequila, 20 to 25 ml lime juice and 20 ml orange liqueur, shaken and served with or without a salt rim. The Paloma combines 50 ml tequila, a squeeze of lime and grapefruit soda over ice. A Tommy's Margarita replaces the orange liqueur with agave syrup.

Serving tips

Always use freshly squeezed lime. Salt only half the rim so each sip can be taken with or without it.