20 best Tequila cocktails

With its earthy herbaceous flavours, tequila makes for both a versatile and characterful base spirit in cocktails. Contemporary pairings with tequila include sherry, elderflower, pamplemousse (pink grapefruit) liqueur, gentian liqueur, and my favourite, lavender.

1. 50:50 Margarita

With: Blanco and reposado tequilas, triple sec, agave syrup, lime juice, and Margarita Bitters.
We say: Don't knock the use of blanco and reposado tequilas in a Margarita. Perhaps the best way to make a Margarita.
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2. Bermondsey Minute

With: Reposado tequila, aged sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and lavender sugar syrup.
We say: Tequila and lavender are a match made in heaven, made more complex with herbal wine notes from the vermouth, aromatised by delicately fruity maraschino cherry.
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3. Bitter Margarita

With: Blanco tequila, mezcal, triple sec, red bitter liqueur, agave syrup, lime juice, and saline solution.
We say: One of those cocktails that tastes just as its name suggests, made more delicious with a splash of mezcal alongside the tequila.
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4. Blood Orange Margarita

With: Blanco tequila, triple sec, red bitter liqueur, blood orange juice, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
We say: Notes of tequila, orangey triple sec, bittersweet liqueur, blood orange and lime juice all play harmoniously.
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5. Californian Margarita

With: Blanco tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, falernum liqueur and saline solution.
We say: A classic Margarita but "with a few tweaks," including falernum, which adds complex spiced sweetness to balance lemon (rather than lime).
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6. Corpse Reviver No. 4

With: Absinthe, reposado tequila, aromatised wine, triple sec, lemon juice and sugar syrup.
We say: Beautifully balanced with lemon acidity cleansing and offsetting sweet orange with subtle herbal tequila.
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7. Curaçao Margarita

With: Reposado tequila, orange curaçao, lime juice, agave syrup, Margarita Bitters, and saline solution.
We say: As the name implies, this flavoursome Margarita is made with orange curaçao in place of the usual triple sec. Even better with an añejo tequila!
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8. The Dante

With: Blanco tequila, green Chartreuse, kummel liqueur, sugar syrup and lime juice.
We say: Citrusy fresh and herbaceous, particularly caraway from the kummel, with tequila providing the backbone.
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9. Elegante Margarita

With: Reposado tequila, triple sec, lime cordial, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
We say: One of the best Margarita recipes around. Richly endowed with flavour.
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10. Famous Last Word No. 3

With: Blanco tequila, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, Margarita Bitters and saline solution.
We say: There are more mezcal riffs on the Last Word, but tequila also works well in this classic in place of gin.
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11. Frozen Margarita

With: Blanco tequila, sec, lime juice, sugar syrup, and xanthan gum.
We say: Citrus freshness with tequila's agave notes served frozen.
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12. Leña

With: Blanco tequila, mezcal, bitter bianco, chili liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, and agave syrup.
We say: The lovechild of a Picante de la Casa and a Jungle Bird.
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13. Margarita on the Rocks (Difford's recipe)

With: Reposado tequila, triple sec, lime juice, agave syrup, salt and Difford's Margarita Bitters.
We say: This is how we prefer our Margaritas to be served. Tangy citrus and tequila with a hint of balancing sweetness and a faint salty undertone.
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14. New York Minute

With: Reposado tequila, aged sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, sugar syrup, and whisky barrel-aged bitters.
We say: Honeyed tequila and aromatic maraschino with complex herbal vinous notes.
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15. Obituario

With: Blanco tequila, mezcal, bianco vermouth, absinthe, and saline solution.
We say: Whisps of mezcal mingle with herbaceous tequila, rich vinous vermouth and delicate aniseed and liquorice.
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16. Paloma

With: Blanco tequila, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup, and pink grapefruit soda.
We say: Reminiscent of a long fruity Margarita with refreshing effervescence.
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17. Picante de la Casa (Soho House Tonic)

With: Red jalapeno, coriander, reposado tequila, agave syrup and lime juice.
We say: Best described as a Tommy's Margarita with added chilli spice and coriander.
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18. Pink Frozen Margarita

With: blanco tequila, triple sec, red bitter liqueur, lime juice, agave syrup, and xanthan gum.
We say: A bittersweet Frozen Margarita.
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19. Rosita

With: Reposado tequila, red bitter liqueur, dry and rosso vermouths, aromatic bitters, and saline solution.
We say: Bittersweet, tequila-based, and Negroni-like.
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20. Tommy's Margarita

With: Reposado tequila, lime juice, agave syrup and Difford's Margarita Bitters.
We say: The flavour of agave is king in this simple Margarita, made without the traditional orange liqueur.
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