When someone says tequila cocktails, margaritas might instantly come to mind. With a little creativity, a tequila cocktail can be quite flavorful.
On National Tequila Day, tequila cocktails seem to be everywhere. From margaritas to palomas to even a tequila sunrise, these cocktails seem to pique everyone’s interest. What cocktail will you be shaking up?
For some people, they have a love it or hate it relationship with tequila. Sure, those Spring Break memories from long ago might cloud your memory. But, today’s tequila and tequila cocktails are far from those overly sweet, flavorless creations from college.
Like any good cocktail, tequila cocktails can be absolutely delicious. With the right tequila and quality ingredients, everyone can rediscover the nuanced flavor that tequila can offer.
If you are a little hesitance to sip on a tequila cocktail, start simple. A quality tequila is the most important factors to the cocktail. With so many options, find a tequila that appeals to your favorite flavors. Light, aged or longer aged all have different flavor profiles.
In a way, the only rule when it comes to enjoying tequila or any of these cocktails is to drink what you like. Modify a recipe, experiment with an ingredient. In the end, if you mess up, you just make another cocktail.
Whether you are celebrating National Tequila Day or just want to experiment with tequila cocktails, here are some of FoodSided’s favorites.
Raspberry Jalapeño Spicy Margarita, photo provided by Casa Tua Cucina
Marvelous Margaritas
The classic margarita has a long, storied history. But, today’s margaritas are far from simple and bland. From a boost of spicy to vibrant florals, there is a margarita for any and every occasion.
Like any good cocktail, the drink needs to be balanced. In a way, you long for another sip even when the glass is empty.
When it comes to spicy margaritas, the key is to find a way to build flavor. If the heat becomes too strong in the front, you can’t keep drinking it. If the heat is hidden under the sweetness, why have the spice?
One cocktail that caught FoodSided’s attention is the Raspberry Jalapeño Spicy Margarita from Casa Tua Cucina at Saks Brickell City Centre. Using the Casamigos Blano Tequila, this cocktail is bright, tart, sweet and spicy. It hits all the flavor profiles.
This cocktail visually looks impressive but the flavor is the real star. Although it might not be an easy food pairing, it is a lovely cocktail to sip on a leisurely afternoon.
Here’s how to make Casa Tua Cucina’s Raspberry Jalapeño Spicy Margarita
"Raspberry Jalapeño Spicy Margarita Ingredients: • 2 oz Casamigos Blanco Tequila • .75 oz Combier L’Original Liqueur D’Orange • 1 oz Fresh lime juice • .75 oz Agave syrup • 3-4 Fresh raspberries • 2-3 Jalapeño slices • Salt rim Preparation: Salt the rim of a rocks glass. In a cocktail shaker, muddle 1-2 fresh raspberries and 1-2 jalapeño slices. Add all other ingredients and shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Double strain into the salt rimmed rocks glass. Decorate with 2 fresh raspberries and 1 jalapeño slice."
If you are looking for a spicy, yet simple margarita recipe, look no further than Tequila Herradura Spicy Margarita. This cocktail shows how versatile a margarita can be. Just by adding a few jalapeno slices, you can get a lot of additional flavor.
Herradura Spicy Margarita, photo provided by tequila Herradura
Here’s how to make Tequila Herradura Spicy Margarita
"Tequila Herradura Spicy Margarita • Ingredients • 2 parts Herradura Silver • 1 part fresh squeezed lime juice • ½ – ¾ part agave • 1-2 fresh jalapeno slices (red or green) Preparation Muddle jalapeno slices in bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients with ice. Shake hard, then strain over fresh ice. Garnish with jalapeno and lime wedge."
Altos Crafted Paloma, photo provided by Altos Plata
Flavorful Palomas
Considered Mexico’s favorite cocktail, the Paloma is a quite refreshing cocktail. While grapefruit season doesn’t necessarily coincide with National Tequila Day, grapefruits, grapefruit juice and other grapefruit flavored beverages are relatively common year round.
Paloma actually means dove. Some people consider it the perfect tequila cocktail. The simplicity of this cocktail makes it delightful on a warm day.
Generally, this cocktail is made with grapefruit soda. Many mixologists have changed the recipe to include grapefruit juice, flavored seltzer and other ingredients. Some people add salt to the rim, similar to a margarita.
The original recipe for a Paloma is just tequila and grapefruit soda. This version from Altos boosts the grapefruit flavor with some additional ingredients. It is one of FoodSided’s preferred versions.
"Paloma Ingredients: • 2 parts Altos Plata • ½ part fresh lime juice • ½ part agave syrup • 3 parts fresh grapefruit juice • Grapefruit (for the garnish) Method: • Mix all ingredients except grapefruit juice in a glass • Fill with ice and finish with grapefruit juice • Garnish with half slice of pink grapefruit"
jalapeno paloma, photo provided by bubly
Since a Paloma is relatively simple, it can be highlighted with other flavors as well.
"Jalapeno Paloma Ingredients: • 3 oz. grapefruit bubly • 1 oz. Tequila • ½ oz. Triple Sec • 1 oz. Lime Juice • Jalapeno Puree • Salted rim Method: Salt rim of rocks glass and fill with ice. Mix jalapeno puree with lime juice. Add ice, tequila, and triple sec. Shake until mixing tin becomes frosted on the outside. Strain into salted rocks glass filled with ice. Top with grapefruitbubly. Stir and garnish."
Lighten it up
While the Aperol Spritz might be “the” summer drink, many tequila cocktails can get a spritz of their own. The traditional Spritz is Aperol, prosecco and soda water. But, that type of recipe can be transformed with some of other ingredients. In a way, a tequila spritzer is a great option.
A spritzer gets a boost from bubbles and sometimes a lemonade or juice (similar to a shandy for beer lovers). The key to making this cocktail successful is the tartness or the brightness from the mixer. While bubbles always make a cocktail fun, the other ingredients keep it light and flirty.
Check out this cocktail call the Pineapple Fizz.
"Pineapple Fizz Ingredients: 1 ½ parts Hornitos® Black Barrel® Tequila ¾ part fresh pineapple juice ½ part fresh lime juice ¼ part agave syrup 1 dash Angostura® bitters Splash of seltzer Pineapple chunks Preparation: Combine all ingredients except seltzer in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and add a splash of seltzer. Garnish with a pineapple chunk skewer and a pineapple leaf."
Camarena Old Fashioned, photo provided by Camarena
Transform a classic cocktail with tequila
If you have a signature cocktail that you love, who says that cocktail can only be served with one particular liquor. What if you changed that rum for tequila?
For example, a tequila mojito can be a great way to explore tequila’s flavor. If you love the sweet mint flavors of a mojito, see how tequila can add to the mint’s depth. Or, maybe the sugar can bring out the vanilla notes in the tequila.
"TEQUILA HERRADURA MOJITO Ingredients • 2 parts Tequila Herradura Silver • 1 part agave nectar • 1 part fresh lime juice • 3 parts club soda • 5 min leaves • 1 lime wedge Preparation Muddle the mint leaves in a shaker and then add tequila, lime juice, agave nectar and fill with ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Top with club soda and garnish with a lime wedge."
In many ways, tequila can be used in a variety of classic cocktails. Today, the mixology rules are made to be broken. Your cocktail experimentation could be the new cocktail trend.
for example, tequila can be used in an Old Fashioned. It is the same basic princpes, but the flavor takes on a new experience. The bitters elevate the tequila in a whole new way.
"Camarena Old Fashioned Ingredients: 2 parts Camarena Reposado .5 parts Agave Nectar 2 Dashes of Bitters Method: Add ingredients into a double old fashioned rocks glass filled with ice and stir to combine. Garnish with orange peel."
Are you ready to explore the flavor, fun and festivities that tequila cocktails can offer? What is your favorite cocktail to sip?