The Top 5 Tequila Cocktails

The Margarita stands as the quintessential tequila cocktail, beloved for its perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. But what exactly is a Margarita, and where did it originate?

The Margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, typically served in a glass with a salted rim. Although the exact origins of the Margarita are shrouded in mystery, this classic tequila cocktail is believed to have originated in Mexico in the 1930s or 1940s.

One popular theory traces the Margarita back to a cocktail called the “Daisy,” a common drink in the United States during the early twentieth century made with alcohol, citrus juice, and a sweetener. As the story goes, as tequila gained popularity north of the border during Prohibition, bartenders began substituting tequila for other spirits in the Daisy, thus creating the Margarita.

Another theory attributes the Margarita’s creation to a bartender named Carlos “Danny” Herrera, who allegedly invented the drink in 1938 at his Tijuana-area restaurant, Rancho La Gloria. According to legend, Herrera created the Margarita for a customer who was allergic to all spirits except tequila but found the drink too harsh on its own. To make it more palatable, Herrera combined tequila with lime juice and triple sec, creating the Margarita.

Regardless of its exact origins, the Margarita has since become one of the most popular cocktails in the world. Celebrated for its refreshing flavor and endless variations, the Margarita is a smart choice to add to any cocktail menu as it’s a crowdpleaser sure to attract a high volume of orders, especially during the warmer weather. Whether shaken, stirred, frozen, or on the rocks, the Margarita continues to captivate cocktail enthusiasts with its timeless appeal.

To craft this classic concoction, you’ll need:

• 2 oz. tequila
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1 oz. triple sec
• Salt for rimming (optional)
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim the glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill a shaker with ice and add tequila, lime juice, and triple sec.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass over ice.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

While the Margarita may reign as the queen of tequila cocktails, the Paloma holds its own as a refreshing alternative with a rich history and vibrant flavor profile.

A beloved Mexican cocktail, the Paloma celebrates the bright, tangy flavors of grapefruit. It’s often described as the Margarita’s lesser-known cousin, but its popularity in Mexico rivals that of its more famous counterpart. The name “Paloma” translates to “dove” in Spanish, evoking images of a peaceful, refreshing drink enjoyed under the sun.

The exact origins of the Paloma are somewhat murky, but it’s believed to have emerged in Mexico during the mid-twentieth century. Like many classic cocktails, its creation is often attributed to a mix of necessity and creativity. Legend has it that the Paloma was first concocted by mixing tequila with grapefruit soda, a popular beverage in Mexico. This simple yet satisfying combination quickly gained popularity, evolving into the beloved cocktail we know today.

Today, drinkers worldwide enjoy the Paloma, making it a valuable tequila cocktail to add to your menu. While the classic recipe calls for tequila, grapefruit soda, and a splash of lime, variations abound, with some opting for fresh grapefruit juice and soda water for a lighter, more nuanced take on the cocktail.

To craft this refreshing delight, you’ll need:

• 2 oz. tequila
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• Grapefruit soda
• Salt for rimming (optional)
• Grapefruit wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim the glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill the glass with ice and add tequila and lime juice.
3. Top with grapefruit soda.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

The Tequila Sunrise is not just a tequila cocktail; it’s a visual masterpiece that evokes the vivid colors of a sunrise painting the sky. This iconic drink combines tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, creating layers of flavor and a stunning gradient effect in the glass. Much like consumers eat with their eyes, they drink with them, too. Many successful bar, restaurant, and taproom owners build successful cocktail programs around a drink that tastes delicious and looks stunning.

We can trace the colorful origins of the Tequila Sunrise back to the 1930s or 1940s, much like the Margarita. However, its rise to fame is often credited to a different era and place: the 1970s and Southern California. Supposedly, the Tequila Sunrise gained widespread popularity during this time, partly thanks to its association with the era’s music scene and laid-back lifestyle.

One of the earliest known recipes for the Tequila Sunrise appeared in a 1970s edition of Rolling Stone magazine, further solidifying its status as a symbol of the vibrant and carefree spirit of the 1970s counterculture. The drink’s visually striking appearance—layers of orange and red hues—made it a favorite among bartenders and patrons alike.

The Tequila Sunrise gained even more recognition when The Eagles immortalized this tequila cocktail through the eponymous song in 1973. The song’s lyrics, with lines like “It’s another tequila sunrise, starin’ slowly ‘cross the sky,” further cemented the drink’s association with relaxation, leisure, and the California lifestyle.

Over the years, Tequila Sunrises became more synonymous with cheap well cocktails than luxury drinking. Lately, however, this pop cocktail icon has seen a craft resurgence. For that reason, don’t sunset the Tequila Sunrise, but consider this tequila cocktail an opportunity to craft something new and beautiful on your cocktail menu. For example, consider adding it to a playful brunch menu.

To craft your own Tequila Sunrise, you’ll need:

• 2 oz. tequila
• 4 oz. orange juice
• 1/2 oz. grenadine
• Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice and add tequila and orange juice.
2. Stir gently.
3. Slowly pour grenadine over the back of a spoon to create the sunrise effect.
4. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

The Mexican Mule puts a bold and spicy spin on the classic Moscow Mule, infusing it with the vibrant flavors of Mexico. This fiery concoction combines tequila, ginger beer, and lime juice, creating a refreshing yet zesty cocktail that tantalizes the taste buds.

The Moscow Mule, a cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, rose to prominence in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. Purportedly, in the 1940s, a vodka distributor, a ginger beer producer, and a bartender in Los Angeles collaborated on this cocktail recipe. The drink’s signature copper mug and zesty flavor quickly made it a hit among Hollywood celebrities and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

As its name suggests, the Mexican Mule is inspired by this classic cocktail but replaces vodka with tequila, which gives it its unique flavor profile, depth, and complexity.

While the exact origins of the Mexican Mule may not be as well-documented as its predecessor, its rise in popularity reflects the growing interest in tequila-based cocktails and the enduring appeal of the Mule family.

If you want to twist a classic, consider adding the Mexican Mule to your cocktail menu.

To craft your own Mexican Mule, you’ll need:

• 2 oz. tequila
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• Ginger beer
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug with ice and add tequila and lime juice.
2. Top with ginger beer.
3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

A tantalizing fusion of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, the El Diablo cocktail packs a flavorful punch. This dynamic drink combines tequila, ginger beer, crème de cassis, and lime juice for a complex, vibrant libation.

Trader Vic’s, a legendary tiki bar and restaurant founded by Victor J. Bergeron, often gets credit for this tequila cocktail.

The El Diablo first appeared on the pages of Trader Vic’s Bartender’s Guide in the 1940s, where it was described as a “Mexican variant of the American fizz.” The cocktail’s name, which translates to “the devil” in Spanish, hints at its bold and spirited nature, while its vibrant flavor profile reflects the lively spirit of Mexico.

To craft the El Diablo, bartenders combine tequila, crème de cassis (a sweet blackcurrant liqueur), lime juice, and ginger beer, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. Adding ginger beer provides a spicy kick, while the crème de cassis adds sweetness and depth to the cocktail.

Whether enjoyed as a prelude to a night of revelry or as a refreshing sipper on a hot summer day, the El Diablo makes for a fiery addition to your cocktail menu.

To craft your own El Diablo cocktail, you’ll need:

• 1 1/2 oz. tequila
• 1/2 oz. crème de cassis
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• Ginger beer
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice and add tequila, crème de cassis, and lime juice.
2. Top with ginger beer.
3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

Are you ready for your consumers to raise a glass to the world of tequila cocktails? Starting with these five tequila cocktails, from the classics to the twists, will give your bar, restaurant, or taproom a great starting point for attracting tequila drinkers, new and seasoned.

With its rich history and complex flavors, tequila serves as the perfect canvas for mixologists to express their creativity and push the boundaries of cocktail innovation. From the classic Margarita to the fiery El Diablo, each cocktail we’ve explored embodies the creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural richness of tequila mixology. Whether it’s the tangy citrus notes of the Paloma or the spicy kick of the Mexican Mule, each cocktail tells a story and invites us to savor the moment.

But beyond the flavors and ingredients, tequila cocktails hold a more profound significance—they celebrate culture, tradition, and camaraderie.

As you start planning out your list of tequila cocktails, experiment with different ingredients, techniques, and flavor profiles, and don’t be afraid to put your twist on classic recipes.