Tequila is a unique spirit made from the blue agave plant grown in the deserts around Guadalajara and the Jaliscan Highlands of Mexico. Taken in a shot, this spirit is strong and fiery, notorious for burning throats at a bar near you. But a quality tequila can be deliciously smooth, sweet, and complex.
Tequila is one of the things you either love or you hate. If you love it, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re sharing 6 of our favourite tequila cocktail recipes to help you kickstart the party. And as always, be sure to stock up on your favourite at your local Springs Group liquor store, with 14 locations across the Lower Mainland.
Margarita
The margarita is the classic tequila cocktail. Made with plenty of variation these days thanks to different fruits, spirits and spicy ingredients like jalapenos, there are no shortage or exciting twists to put into your Margarita. But for now, we’re focusing on the classic Margarita. Tried and true, the classic margarita is a perfect balance between sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 4 oz of your favourite blanco tequila
- 2 oz triple sec
- 1 ½ oz lime juice
- 2 lime wedges (garnish)
- ¼ cup sea salt (garnish)
Steps
- The first stage of the Margarita making process is to prep your garnish platter. On a shallow plate, dump your sea salt and rub the rims of your glassware with the lime wedges. This will make the glasses sticky.
- Carefully dip your glasses in the salt platter to get a thin even line of salt around the rim. *Use coarse sea salt for a more authentic look and taste.
- The rest is simple – just divide and pour your ingredients into the two glasses and give it a good stir. The ice goes in last, along with more lime wedges for garnish. *Real, fresh lime juice makes all the difference!
Recipe inspiration from Delish
Mexican Mule
You’re probably familiar with the Moscow Mule, but did you know you can make an exciting and delicious variation with tequila that works just as well? This cocktail is bubbly, spicy, full of flavour, and best enjoyed in the classic copper cup. Aside from following tradition and looking legit, using a copper cup actually keeps the drinks colder (and for longer). So if you don’t have any, it’s worth looking into.
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 4 oz your favourite tequila
- 8 oz ginger beer
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
Steps
- Making a Mexican Mule is dead simple. Similar to the Margarita, the Mexican Mule can be built right in the glass. To get started, dump of your ingredients into two copper mugs (highwall glasses will do).
- The ice goes in next, followed by a lime wedge for garnish.
*Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic drink that’s sweet, carbonated, and spicy. Despite the name, ginger beer isn’t actually brewed like a typical beer – it’s manufactured. If you can, find a local ginger beer made with natural fermentation, real carbonation, and no colour additives.
Recipe inspiration from A Couple Cooks
Watermelon Aguas Fresca
If you’re looking to entertain friends with a delicious, refreshing homemade cocktail for the summer – this is it. With the help of fresh watermelons that are in season all summer long, this bubbly, light, and fruity cocktail is best prepared in big batches. Bonus points if you have a juicer! Now is the time to put it into action.
Ingredients (12 servings)
- 1 watermelon (roughly 20 cups)
- 1 bottle of your favourite prosecco
- ¾ cup of your favourite blanco tequila
- ½ cup sugar *skip if you already have simple sugar
- ½ cup water *skip if you already have simple sugar
- 6 sliced limes
- 3 sprigs of mint
Steps
- The first step is to create your own simple syrup using the water and sugar. Grab a small saucepan and bring the water and sugar to a boil together. Keep stirring until the sugar is dissolved, at which point your can move your syrup off the heat and into a bowl to cool.
- Time for watermelon juice! Throw your watermelon (in cubes) into a juicer, blender, or food processor until it’s smooth. When it’s juiced, strain it into a big bowl.
- To the big bowl, add your simple syrup, tequila, lime slices and mint sprigs. Give it a good stir, and if necessary, add a ½ cup of water.
- If you have a nice pitcher or carafe, transfer the mixture from the bowl. Now you’re ready to serve! Grab your glassware and pour the mixture, leaving about an inch at the top.
- Top the drinks off with about an inch of prosecco, followed by any leftover mint for garnish.
Recipe inspiration from Food & Wine
Chipilo
Taking inspiration from the Negroni, the Chipilo cocktail is named after a town in Puebla, Mexico, which was originally founded by Italians. If you’re looking for something sweet, best enjoyed on a patio and sipped as an aperitif, this cocktail is the one – a delicious blend of Mexican and Italian heritage.
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 3 oz of your favourite tequila
- 1 ½ oz Campari
- 1 ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
- 4 dashes chocolate bitters
- Maraschino cherry (garnish)
Steps
- The Chipilo comes together quickly and easily. Just grab a mixing glass or shaker, combine all your ingredients with ice, and give it a thorough stir. Do not shake, but make sure it’s stirred long enough to become chilled.
- Strain the mixture into your serving glassware, and top with a yummy Maraschino cherry.
*You can make your own by dissolving then soaking fresh cherries with cherry liqueur, cherry juice and sugar in the refrigerator.
Recipe inspiration from Blue Nectar Tequila
Paloma
Calling all citrus lovers – the Paloma is another classic tequila cocktail that brings equal sweet and sour. It’s a summer beverage through and through, best enjoyed in the heat. But you don’t need to spend a fortune at the bar, because these drinks can be easily made from home for a fraction of the price. *Fresh squeezed citrus will be a difference maker for this recipe.
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 4 oz of your favourite tequila
- 4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 4 oz sparkling water
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Coarse sea salt (garnish)
Steps
- First, you’ll need to prepare your salt rim. This stage is optional, but the salt makes the cocktail feel more authentic while providing a vital element of flavour. Just dump your salt on a shallow platter, rub a grapefruit wedge along the rims of your glassware and dip.
- Next, you can begin adding the ingredients to each glass. Leave a little room at the top, which you can use to add more ice and garnish with your fresh grapefruit wedges.
Recipe inspiration from Love and Lemons
Tequila Sour
Sour cocktails have been around a long time, and the resurgence is here. Being the OG, Whiskey sours typically take the spotlight, but the tequila sour is excellent. This cocktail is sweet and tart, and the frothy egg white foam provides a splash of elegance that will really impress your guests.
Ingredients (2 servings)
- 4 oz of your favourite tequila
- 2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3 teaspoons simple syrup
- 4 dashes angostura bitters
- 2 egg whites
- Lime peel twist (garnish)
Steps
- Despite the extravagant appearance of the tequila sour, this recipe is very straightforward to make. All you need is a cocktail shaker. To start, throw everything into the shaker and give it a thorough shake.
- Next, throw some ice into the shaker and give it another long shake. After the second shake, strain into your glassware and garnish with your lime peel twist.
Recipe inspiration from The Bottle Club
Need to stock up on ingredients for your homemade cocktail sessions? Stop by a Springs Group liquor store near you. We’ve got 14 locations across the Lower Mainland, plus a strong selection of tequilas. Don’t forget to ask for help – our staff are happy to provide recommendations!
