9 Tequila Cocktails (That Aren’t a Margarita)

Tequila has come a long way over the years, and demand is still strong.

In fact, the global tequila market is expected to grow from $19.76 billion in 2022 to $30.06 billion in 2028, according to Distill Ventures, and the margarita was the most ordered cocktail in the United States, accounting for 16.1% of cocktail sales in 2023, according to Nielsen CGA.

Luis Abundis, who recently launched the tequila brand Humano (named after its agave farmers and artisans), says tequila customers have changed their mentality over the past 10 years. “They want purity. They want authenticity,” he says, noting that people today have a much more discerning taste for tequila than they did in the past. While a pure and legit tequila can be enjoyed straight, in all its variations—from the classic Añejo to Cristalino, Reposado, and more—it is also a versatile spirit that lends itself to crafty cocktails. And not just the margarita.

Here are 9 tequila cocktail recipes that go beyond the classic and ever popular margarita.

Ranch Water

Recipe courtesy of Humano

Luis Abundis, CEO and co-founder of Humano, notes that this simple tequila cocktail is very trendy, especially in Texas. “It’s easy to drink, refreshing, and very low in calories,” he said. “We make this with our Humano Blanco as it showcases our agave-forward [tequila] with some white pepper notes.” Humano Blanco was a 2024 New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC) Best Tequila.

2 oz. Humano Blanco

1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

Topo Chico or any sparkling water

salt

Serve in a tall glass with ice and topped with sparkling water and a pinch of salt.

Brooklyn Paradise (served frozen)

Recipe courtesy of Eduardo Tercero, bar manager and menu creator for Casa Azul in New York.

Eduardo Tercero, bar manager and menu creator for Casa Azul in New York, says this drink is inspired by a combination of ingredients from Mexico and Dominican Republic. He says that it is made with Herradura Silver because it enhances the tropical flavors of pineapple and passion fruit, making it a great cocktail to enjoy in the summer, or any time of the year. “Think of it as a more approachable, less bitter jungle bird with a twist!”

1.5 oz. Tequila Herradura Silver

3/4 oz Chinola

1/2 oz. pineapple juice

1/2 oz. lime juice

1/4 oz. Aperol

2 dashes Tiki bitters

Garnish: Dried citrus wheel

In a blender, mix together all the ingredients. Serve in a Collins glass and garnish with a citrus wheel.

Tequila Don Julio Limonada

Recipe courtesy of: Mixologist Julio Xoxocotla

Xoxocotla says, “Latin America has a long-standing tradition of crafting ‘Aguas Frescas’ (fresh waters) using seasonal fruits. Inspired by this heritage, I created the Don Julio Limonada, combining fresh and simple ingredients like lemon juice and hibiscus flower tea. These flavors beautifully complement the crisp agave aromas of Don Julio Blanco.”

1/2 oz. Tequila Don Julio Blanco

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

0.75 oz. simple syrup

handful of mint

soda water to top

Add mint to a cocktail shaker and muddle, then add Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and ice to the shaker. Shake and pour into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a mint sprig.

Pomme Spritz

Recipe courtesy of Eric Ribeiro

Ribeiro shares, “The DELEÓN Tequila Pomme Spritz is an elevated yet easy-to-make drink, making it the perfect cocktail to impress guests at any holiday gathering. It highlights DELEÓN Blanco’s crisp notes as it blends with fresh apple juice, verjus and club soda. Garnished with a hidden rose apple wheel, it’s the perfect addition to any festive occasion.” DeLeón Blanco Tequila was a NYISC 2024 Best Tequila.

1/2 oz. DeLeón Blanco

1 oz. verjus

3 oz. apple juice (filtered)

2 oz. club soda

In a shaker, combine apple juice, verjus, DeLeón Blanco, and bitters. Pour into a wine glass and top with club soda and garnish with a rose apple wheel.

Rosso Sotto

Recipe courtesy of Michael Giambrone. It is on the cocktail menu at Bramare Las Vegas.

Michael Giambrone said when he was creating the Rosso Sotto, he aimed for a culinary-driven experience suited for fall and winter. “Beets quickly emerged as a standout ingredient, leading me to explore complementary flavors like caraway and black pepper,” he said. “Cierto Reposado, with its peppercorn notes and rich roasted agave, paired perfectly, while a Danish-style Aquavit enhanced the caraway. I chose beetroot powder for its flavor and nutritional benefits without the hassle of spoilage. Finally, egg white adds a creamy mouthfeel, balancing the citrus and really bringing the drink’s elements together, resulting in a delightful food- focused libation.” Cierto Tequila Private Collection Reposada was also a 2024 Best Tequila of the year in the NYISC.

1 1/2oz. Cierto Tequila Private Collection Reposado

3/4 oz. Svol Aquavit

1 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice

3/4 oz. organic agave nectar

3/4 oz. free range egg white

1/4 tsp. beet root powder

Dry shake all ingredients together, add ice, shake and double strain into a coupe glass. Add a light dusting of beet root powder and semi-course ground pepper. Express a lemon peel and place on the rim for garnish.

Bloody Maria

Recipe courtesy of Proximo / Gran Centenario

Salas shares, “The Bloody Maria, crafted with Gran Centenario Plata Tequila, is a twist on the classic Bloody Mary, bringing agave-forward tequila to the forefront. This cocktail combines the rich, smooth flavors of our premium tequila with the bold, spicy notes of traditional ingredients. Each sip offers a journey through the vibrant spirit of Mexico, blending the rich, spiced notes of ripened agave with the zest of fresh tomatoes and a hint of fiery spice. It’s a reinterpreted staple, perfect for those who appreciate a drink with character and depth.” Read more about Jaime Salas.

2 oz. Gran Centenario® Plata Tequila

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz fresh lime juice

3/4 pickled jalapeño brine

2 dashes hot sauce

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

6 oz bloody mary mix

Garnish: skewered cucumber ribbon, lemon wheel and cilantro sprig

Muddle cucumber slices in a shaker tin. Add all remaining ingredients with ice. Shake hard to break up cilantro. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a skewered cucumber ribbon, lemon wheel, and cilantro sprig.

Añejo Old Fashioned

Recipe courtesy of Proximo / Gran Centenario

Gran Centenario Añejo Old Fashioned photo courtesy of Proximo Gran Centenario

“When creating the Añejo Old Fashioned, our goal was to preserve the timeless appeal that makes the Old Fashioned a beloved favorite, while infusing it with the bright, smooth flavors of Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila. The result is a smoother, more vibrant version of its whiskey predecessor, with notes of cooked agave, cinnamon, oak and citrus, making it a perfect post- meal holiday beverage, adding a touch of Mexican flavors to your festive celebrations.” – Jaime Salas, Head of Advocacy Proximo Spirits

2 oz. Gran Centenario® Añejo

1/4 oz. cinnamon syrup

2 chocolate mole bitters

2 dashes orange bitters

Garnish: orange peel

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with an orange peel.

Golden Hour

Recipe courtesy of Izzy Tulloch

Tulloch says, “Everyone loves a spicy margarita, so we wanted to scratch that itch but with a twist that really highlights Astral Tequila and the people who love to drink it. The grapefruit plays perfectly with the warm clove and vanilla notes of the barrel aged tequila, while the hot honey adds a richness that enhances the touch of smokiness and layers in the perfect amount of heat. It’s a real treat.” Astral Tequila Añejo was a Silver winner in the 2024 NYISC.

1 1/2 oz Astral Tequila Añejo

1/2 oz fresh grapefruit juice

1/2 oz hot honey

1/4 oz fresh lemon juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Café Azteca

Bernardo Gutierrez, Casa Don Ramón brand ambassador shares, “Coffee and tequila are two very representative elements of Mexican flavors, and together, they create a golden combination that brings the best of our land in a sip. The Añejo Cristalino Platinium was specially chosen for this recipe because of its notes of vanilla, nuts and cocoa, and when combined with the coffee, it creates a contrast and harmony in the flavor.”

1.7 oz Tequila Don Ramón Añejo Cristalino Platinium

2 oz espresso coffee

½ oz agave honey

1 oz coffee liqueur

1 pinch of sea salt

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake vigorously, strain, and serve.

Want to learn more about Tequila? Read What you should know about Tequila, learn about Additive-free Tequila and find the Best Distilleries to Visit in Tequila.