5 Tequila Cocktails to Quench Your Thirst
Agave in Jalisco
As far as the eye can see, the landscape of Jalisco, Mexico is covered in beautiful blue Weber agave plants. This one type of agave produces the juice used to make Tequila, a distilled spirit that has been popular for centuries. Distill Ventures reports that the global tequila market will grow from $19.76 billion in 2022 to $30.06 billion in 2028, so it is no wonder that cocktails using Tequila are already on the rise. While margaritas are the most well-known Tequila cocktail, there are many others.
What is Tequila?
By law, Tequila can only be produced in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas. However, most Tequila is produced in Jalisco, where the agave landscape and ancient industrial facilities have been designated a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to Tony Salles, Master Distiller at El Tequileño, an artisan producer with facilities in Tequila, some of the best blue agave is grown in the highlands outside of the village of Tequila. Stronger diurnal temperature shifts cause the pina (the part of the agave plant that is harvested) to develop more concentrated flavors. This is where the bulk of the agave farms for El Tequileño are found. By comparison, in the lowlands, the soil is richer, and the Tequilas produced from agaves there are often described as earthier. Tequilas from the lowlands include Fortaleza, Partida and El Jimador. But differences between highlands and lowlands Tequilas are generally very subtle and great producers can be found in both regions.
What Does Tequila Taste Like?
What does Tequila taste like? The flavor of Tequila depends on the style, age, and production methods. Generally, Tequila has a smooth flavor profile with a bit of sweetness, a little citrus, or peppery notes that come from the agave plant. Aged Tequilas have more complex flavors from the oak barrels used for aging, such as vanilla, caramel, coconut, and some smokey notes. The longer it is aged, the smoother it becomes. Read more about Tequila.
What Makes a Refreshing Tequila Cocktail?
It should be obvious that a good Tequila cocktail starts with quality Tequila. Choose a Tequila you like and consider an additive-free Tequila. Read more about additive free Tequilas.
Tequila is a popular ingredient in cocktails in part because it is very versatile. It can be used in both sweet cocktails, such as a Tequila sunrise and in savory cocktails such as ranch water, and sweet and savory cocktails, the most classic being the margarita.
While various expressions of Tequila can be swapped out for both white and brown spirits in classic cocktails, for unique cocktails, you'll find that citrus is a common ingredient and adds a refreshing element. Likewise, sparkling wine, soda, and fizzy water also refresh the palate. The savory aspect of salt can enhance the sweetness and balance out the bitterness.
Tequila Cocktails
Cantarito
Cantarito
Similar to the paloma, the cantarito combines citrus juice and a bit of salt. Cantarito means little jug and it is typically served in a ceramic cup.
2 oz El Tequileño Reposado
1.5 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
1.5 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
0.5 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
Pinch of coarse sea salt
Top With grapefruit soda (squirt)
Build in all cantarito cup. Add ice and garnish. Garnish with pink grapefruit slices.
Aire Libre
Aire Libre
Aire libre means fresh air and this cocktail is fresh air in a glass!
1.5 oz. Cierto Tequila Private Collection Reposado
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz. Mayan honey syrup
1 oz. Champagne
Add all the ingredients (except the Champagne) and shake with ice until chilled. Serve in a Champagne flute and garnish with a lemon twist
Sunset Serenade
This drink is a playful twist on the Tequila sunrise, replacing grenadine with cranberry.
Sunset Serenade
2 oz Authentico Cristalino
0.25 oz cranberry Monin
3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
2 dashes of orange bitters
Stir all ingredients together and pour over ice in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.
TÉquila Cocktail
Tea and prosecco are the refreshing elements in this drink
TÉquila Cocktail
1.6 oz of Tequila Don Ramón Platinum Reposado Tequila
1.5 oz of herbal tea or floral tea of your choice
1.5 oz of honey lime mixture (made with 1 oz lime juice and 1oz agave honey)
1.25 oz of prosecco
Prepare a floral or herbal tea infusion in a 250 ML cup. Pour all ingredients into a jar with ice and let rest for one minute. Serve without ice in a Martini glass.
Blackberry Smash
Blackberry Smash
Similar to a mint julep, the smash relies on crushing fresh ingredients. Gin, rum, whisky and brandy are often used as the base spirit.
1.5 oz El Tequileño Platinum
0.5 oz Cointreau Liqueur
0.5 oz fresh blackberry puree or muddled blackberries
0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
Ginger beer
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker. Muddle ingredients lightly and pour into a Collins glass over ice and garnish with blackberries, mint sprig, and lemon wheel.