Best Tequila Cocktails

Bright, punchy, and full of agave character. Here are the best tequila cocktails worth ordering or making at home.

Margarita cocktail made with tequila

Margarita

tequila

A bright, zesty classic balancing the earthy notes of tequila with tart lime and a hint of orange sweetness.

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sourrefreshing
Glass: Rocks glass
Paloma cocktail made with tequila

Paloma

tequila

A highly refreshing highball featuring tequila mixed with tart grapefruit soda and a squeeze of lime.

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sourrefreshingbitter
Glass: Highball glass
Spicy Margarita cocktail made with tequila

Spicy Margarita

tequila

A classic margarita with a fiery kick, usually achieved with jalapeño-infused tequila or muddling fresh peppers.

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sourspicyrefreshing
Glass: Rocks glass
Tequila Sunrise cocktail made with tequila

Tequila Sunrise

tequila

A layered, sunset-hued highball of tequila, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine.

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sweetrefreshing
Glass: Highball glass
Tommy's Margarita cocktail made with tequila

Tommy's Margarita

tequila

A purist's margarita swapping orange liqueur for agave syrup to let the tequila shine through.

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sourstrong
Glass: Rocks glass
El Diablo cocktail made with tequila

El Diablo

tequila

A spicy-sweet tequila highball with ginger beer, lime, and a splash of blackcurrant liqueur.

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spicysweet
Glass: Highball glass
Cantarito cocktail made with tequila

Cantarito

tequila

A refreshing Mexican highball of tequila with grapefruit, orange, and lime sodas over ice.

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sourrefreshing
Glass: Highball glass
Ranch Water cocktail made with tequila

Ranch Water

tequila

A bone-dry, three-ingredient Texas highball of tequila, lime, and sparkling mineral water.

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refreshingsour
Glass: Highball glass
Matador cocktail made with tequila

Matador

tequila

A tropical tequila sour blending pineapple juice and fresh lime for a fruity, punchy sip.

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soursweet
Glass: Coupe
Rosita cocktail made with tequila

Rosita

tequila

A tequila spin on the Negroni, swapping gin for tequila alongside Campari and both vermouths.

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bitterstrong
Glass: Rocks glass
Batanga cocktail made with tequila

Batanga

tequila

A rustic Mexican highball of tequila, lime, and cola stirred right in the glass with a salted rim.

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sweetrefreshing
Glass: Highball glass
Tequila Smash cocktail made with tequila

Tequila Smash

tequila

Muddled mint and citrus meet tequila in this herbal, refreshing take on a smash cocktail.

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herbalsour
Glass: Rocks glass
Paloma Picante cocktail made with tequila

Paloma Picante

tequila

A spicy-rimmed Paloma variation with muddled jalapeño for extra heat alongside the grapefruit.

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spicysour
Glass: Highball glass
Watermelon Margarita cocktail made with tequila

Watermelon Margarita

tequila

A juicy, summery margarita variation blended with fresh watermelon for extra sweetness.

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sweetrefreshing
Glass: Rocks glass
Cadillac Margarita cocktail made with tequila

Cadillac Margarita

tequila

A top-shelf margarita finished with a float of orange liqueur for extra richness and strength.

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sourstrong
Glass: Rocks glass
Skinny Margarita cocktail made with tequila

Skinny Margarita

tequila

A lighter margarita made with fresh lime and agave nectar instead of sugary mixers.

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sourrefreshing
Glass: Rocks glass
Salty Chihuahua cocktail made with tequila

Salty Chihuahua

tequila

A tequila take on the classic grapefruit highball, rimmed with salt for extra punch.

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sourrefreshing
Glass: Highball glass
Mexican Mule cocktail made with tequila

Mexican Mule

tequila

A south-of-the-border take on the Moscow Mule, swapping vodka for peppery blanco tequila.

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spicysourrefreshing
Glass: Copper mug
Toreador cocktail made with tequila

Toreador

tequila

A fruity, apricot-tinged tequila sour with a bright citrus finish.

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sweetsour
Glass: Coupe
Mexicana cocktail made with tequila

Mexicana

tequila

A tropical tequila cocktail brightened with pineapple juice and a touch of grenadine.

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sweetsourrefreshing
Glass: Rocks glass
Freddy Fudpucker cocktail made with tequila

Freddy Fudpucker

tequila

A playful tequila screwdriver topped with a floating layer of herbal Galliano.

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sweetrefreshing
Glass: Highball glass
Tequila Mockingbird cocktail made with tequila

Tequila Mockingbird

tequila

A refreshing, herbal tequila sour brightened with cooling crème de menthe.

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herbalsourrefreshing
Glass: Coupe
Conquistador cocktail made with tequila

Conquistador

tequila

A fruity, tart tequila cocktail brightened with cherry liqueur and fresh lime.

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sweetsour
Glass: Coupe
Tequila Collins cocktail made with tequila

Tequila Collins

tequila

The Collins format applied to tequila: agave sweetness meets fresh lemon, simple syrup, and soda water for a crisp, clean highball.

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sourrefreshing
Glass: Collins glass
Brave Bull cocktail made with tequila

Brave Bull

tequila

A bold two-ingredient tequila cocktail: blanco over ice with coffee liqueur, simple in execution and surprisingly complex in flavor.

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strongsweet
Glass: Rocks glass
Vampiro cocktail made with tequila

Vampiro

tequila

A savory-spicy tequila cocktail from Jalisco: blood-red tomato and orange juice, fresh lime, and a fiery dash of hot sauce.

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spicysourrefreshing
Glass: Highball glass
Mexican Firing Squad cocktail made with tequila

Mexican Firing Squad

tequila

A punchy, festive tequila sour with grenadine's pomegranate blush and Angostura's aromatic depth — tart, sweet, and visually striking.

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Glass: Rocks glass
Tamarind Margarita cocktail made with tequila

Tamarind Margarita

tequila

A tart, earthy twist on the classic Margarita, with tamarind's distinctive sweet-sour depth elevating the familiar tequila-lime base.

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soursweetrefreshing
Glass: Rocks glass