11 Must-Try Tequila Cocktails

One of the first cocktails to spotlight tequila was the Tequila Daisy, created in the 1930s in Tijuana, Mexico. The term "Daisy" refers to a family of cocktails made with a base spirit, lemon or lime juice, and a sweet liqueur, which were popular at the time.

Some historians suggest that the Tequila Daisy could be a precursor to the Margarita, a similar cocktail created in the 1940s, made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. The Margarita quickly gained popularity, becoming an iconic tequila-based cocktail worldwide.

In the 1960s and 1970s, tequila experienced a surge in popularity in the United States, notably with the hippie movement and growing interest in Mexican culture. Cocktails like the Tequila Sunrise, made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, became emblematic of this era. This cocktail was popularized by rock ’n’ roll and movie stars of the time, symbolizing carefree fun and celebration.

Entering the 21st century, tequila continued to evolve in the world of mixology. With the rise of craft cocktail culture, tequila was rediscovered for its complexity and versatility.

Modern mixologists explore new recipes and techniques, creating sophisticated cocktails such as the Paloma, Tommy’s Margarita, and variations of the Tequila Old Fashioned, showcasing the earthy and agave notes of tequila.

The Margarita is probably the most famous tequila cocktail in the world. Its exact origin is debated, but one of the most credible stories attributes its creation to Carlos "Danny" Herrera at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, in the 1930s. He is said to have invented this cocktail for a customer allergic to all spirits except tequila. Other versions mention American bartenders and socialites who created the cocktail between the 1930s and 1940s. Regardless, the Margarita became a classic thanks to its simple and refreshing combination of tequila, lime, and orange liqueur.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Cimarron Blanco tequila
• 30 ml triple sec (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• Salt for rimming the glass (optional)

Recipe:

1. Prepare a Margarita glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim and dipping it into salt.
2. In a shaker, add the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
4. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.

The Tequila Sunrise was created in the 1930s or 1940s at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, but the modern version we know today was popularized by Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice at the Trident Bar in Sausalito, California, during the 1970s. This cocktail gained popularity when it was served to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, who became a big fan.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml EL TEQUILENO Blanco tequila
• 90 ml fresh orange juice
• 15 ml grenadine

Recipe:

1. Fill a highball glass with tequila and orange juice.
2. Slowly pour in the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom creating a "sunrise" effect.
3. Do not stir. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

The Paloma, which means "dove" in Spanish, is a traditional Mexican cocktail. It is believed to be named after a popular 19th-century Mexican song called "La Paloma." Unlike other cocktails, there is no identified creator of the Paloma. However, it is a very popular drink in Mexico, often preferred over the Margarita for its simplicity.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Don Julio Blanco tequila
• 120 ml grapefruit soda (such as Squirt or Jarritos)
• 15 ml fresh lime juice
• Salt for rimming the glass (optional)

Recipe:

1. If desired, prepare a highball glass with a salted rim.
2. Mix the tequila and lime juice in the glass.
3. Fill the glass with grapefruit soda.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

The Bloody Maria is a variation of the Bloody Mary, replacing vodka with tequila. This cocktail is believed to have emerged in the 1960s or 1970s when bartenders began experimenting by substituting vodka with other spirits in classic cocktails. The Bloody Maria became popular for its robust and spicy flavor blend.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Pasote Blanco tequila
• 90 ml tomato juice
• 15 ml lemon juice
• 2 to 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2 to 3 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Celery for garnish

Recipe:

1. In a glass, combine the tequila, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
4. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge.

The Tequila Sour is an adaptation of the classic Whisky Sour. This cocktail is believed to have been invented in the 1930s or 1940s in the United States when tequila's popularity was on the rise. The Tequila Sour is appreciated for its balance of sweetness, acidity, and the strength of tequila.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Ocho tequila
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• 15 ml simple syrup
• Egg white (optional)

Recipe:

1. In a shaker, add the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if used).
2. Dry shake (without ice) to emulsify the egg white.
3. Add ice and shake again.
4. Strain into a whiskey glass.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge or a cherry.

The El Diablo is a cocktail from the 1940s, first mentioned in Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink in 1946. It’s an elegant cocktail that combines tequila with blackcurrant liqueur and ginger beer, offering a rather unique flavor.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Cimarron Blanco tequila
• 15 ml crème de cassis
• 10 ml fresh lime juice
• 90 ml ginger beer

Recipe:

1. In a highball glass, pour the tequila and lime juice.
2. Add the crème de cassis.
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

The Tequila Collins is a variation of the Tom Collins, a popular gin-based cocktail. This variation was created in the 1970s when tequila gained international popularity. The cocktail combines tequila with fresh lemon juice and soda water.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Don Fulano Blanco tequila
• 30 ml fresh lemon juice
• 15 ml simple syrup
• 90 ml soda water

Recipe:

1. In a shaker, mix the tequila, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
2. Shake and strain into a highball glass.
3. Top up with soda water.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice.

The Matador is less known than some tequila-based cocktails but is popular in certain circles for its simplicity. Its creation dates back to the 1970s, a time when tequila was becoming a trendy ingredient.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Don Julio Blanco tequila
• 60 ml pineapple juice
• 15 ml fresh lime juice

Recipe:

1. Mix the tequila, pineapple juice, and lime juice in a shaker.
2. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a lime slice.

The Tommy’s Margarita is a modern variation of the classic Margarita, created by Julio Bermejo in the 1990s at the family-owned "Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant" in San Francisco. Unlike the traditional Margarita, this version uses agave nectar instead of triple sec, highlighting the tequila flavor more prominently. This cocktail has become a favorite among tequila lovers for its simplicity and pure taste.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Pasote Blanco tequila
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• 20 ml agave nectar

Recipe:

1. In a shaker, combine the tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar.
2. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
3. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a lime slice.

The Tequila Old Fashioned is a modern take on the classic Old Fashioned, using tequila instead of whiskey. This variation has gained popularity in recent years among tequila enthusiasts for its smooth and rich flavor.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Cimarron Reposado tequila
• 1 sugar cube
• 2 to 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Orange zest

Recipe:

1. In a whiskey glass, muddle the sugar cube with the bitters.
2. Add the tequila.
3. Stir gently until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Garnish with an orange zest.

Ranch Water is a simple cocktail originating from Texas. Its creation dates back several decades but gained popularity in the 2010s. This tequila-based drink is light, refreshing, and easy to prepare. Traditionally, it’s made directly in a sparkling water bottle that’s already been partially consumed to make room for tequila and lime juice.

Ingredients:

• 60 ml Ocho Blanco Las Raices tequila
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• Soda water

Recipe:

1. Mix the tequila and lime juice in a highball glass.
2. Top up with soda water.
3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

La Maison du Whisky has three boutiques in Paris:

• 20 rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris
• 6 carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris
• 11 rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris

In each of these boutiques, you'll find a wide selection of whiskies, rums, sakes, and other fine spirits.

Follow our tasting calendar for upcoming events, or visit the Golden Promise Whisky Bar, which offers an extensive selection of whiskies and other spirits by the glass.

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