Tequila cocktails
A selection of very different tequila-based cocktails to illustrate the versatility of tequila as a cocktail ingredient.

Almond Old Fashioned
With: Reposado tequila, amaretto, agave syrup and orange bitters
We say: One to please fans of both tequila and the Old Fashioned drinks genre with amaretto adding the headline hint of almond.

Bending Blades
With: Blanco tequila (100% agave), Gentian liqueur, manzanilla sherry and pamplemousse liqueur
We say: This tequila based cocktail is bitter before turning bittersweet, then finishes with a long bitter finish. It won't be for everybody but those who appreciate the flavour of gentian liqueur will appreciate this drink for its simplicity and originality.

Bermondsey Minute
With: Reposado tequila, Antica Formula, maraschino liqueur and lavender 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.

The Bird is the Word No.1
With: Reposado tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, apricot brandy and lemon juice
We say: A tequila-based riff on a Last Word.

Blood Orange Margarita
With: Blanco tequila, triple sec, Campari, blood orange juice, lime juice and sugar syrup
We say: Notes of tequila, orangey triple sec, bittersweet Campari, blood orange and lime juice all sit in perfect kilter in this tasty riff on the classic Margarita.

Chutes & Ladders
With: Blanco tequila, Swedish punch, Americano bianco, lime juice
We say: Citrusy tequila-led with Swedish punch and Cocchi Americano rounding and adding their distinctive flavours.

Colletti Royale
With: Reposado tequila, triple sec, elderflower liqueur, blood orange juice, lime juice, orange bitters and rose champagne
We say: Sweet and sour and very fruity - like a good Valentine's date.

Cloud 9
With: Blanco tequila, lillet blanc and Gentian liqueur
We say: A trio of big flavours (tequila, Lillet Blanc and gentian liqueur) come together harmoniously.

The Cornichon
With: Blanco tequila, amontillado sherry, Grand Marnier, dry vermouth, chile liqueur and cranberry juice
We say: A cornucopia of flavours with which to get picked.

Death Flip
With: Blanco tequila, Jägermeister, Yellow Chartreuse, sugar syrup and whole egg
We say: With a whole egg, a shot of tequila, Jagermeister andChartreuse, this is both a Death Flip and your last meal. Challenging herbal and bitter complexity yet with endearing sweet creaminess.

Dried Meadow Flower
With: Reposado tequila, elderflower liqueur, Gentian liqueur, lemon juice and soda
We say: Floral elderflower and tequila with a hint of bittersweet gentian and refreshing lemon.

East Village Athletic Club
With: Blanco tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Grand Marnier and lemon juice
We say: Essentially a Last Word with tequila instead of gin.

Flutter
With: Reposado tequila, coffee liqueur and pineapple juice
We say: The three ingredients combine brilliantly.

The Hee Bee Jee Bees
With: Manuka Honey Vodka, reposado tequila, Agave Sec, lime juice and lavender bitters
We say: A Margarita with a touch of honey vodka and agave enriched orange liqueur.

Jalisco Espresso
With: Reposado tequila, espresso coffee and coffee liqueur
We say: A tequila laced wake up call.

Lavender Margarita
With: Reposado tequila, lime juice and lavender syrup
We say: Lavender lime and tequila combine harmoniously.

The Lone Ranger
With: Blanco tequila, lemon juice, sugar syrup and champagne
We say: Very slightly sweet tequila and lemon, lengthened and dried with brut champagne.

Looks Familiar
With: Islay single malt, blanco tequila, agave syrup, Angostura bitters and Amer Picon
We say: I defy you not to love this herbal bittersweet tequila laced concoction.

Lucky Lily Margarita
With: Honey, reposado tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice and black pepper
We say: Spicy tequila and pineapple tingle with balance and flavour.

Margarita 0n-the-rocks (Difford's recipe)
With: Reposado tequila, triple sec, lime juice, agave syrup, salt and lavender 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. We also prefer the subtlety of half a pinch of salt in the drink to a salt laden glass rim.

Mexican Nail
With: Reposado tequila, Drambuie liqueur and Islay single malt
We say: Very complex with obvious Islay whisky and tequila notes made more interesting with subtle spice and chocolatey notes.

Nautilus
With: Reposado tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice and sugar syrup
We say: Basically a Margarita lengthened with cranberry juice.

New York Minute
With: Reposado tequila, Antica Formula, maraschino liqueur, sugar syrup and Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters
We say: Honeyed tequila and aromatic maraschino with complex herbal vinous notes.

Oaxaca Old Fashioned
With: Reposado tequila, mezcal, agave syrup and Angostura Aromatic Bitters
We say: An agave based Old-Fashioned with a wonderful hit of smokiness from the mezcal.

Paloma
With: Reposado tequila, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup and grapefruit soda
We say: Long, fruity and refreshing.

Pastry War Margarita
With: Reposado tequila, mezcal, amaro, elderflower liqueur, lime juice and salt
We say: Mezcal, amaro, elderflower liqueur and salt add attitude and complexity to this Margarita-styled cocktail.

La Perla
With: Reposado tequila, manzanilla sherry and pear liqueur
We say: Simple yet complex, this beautifully balanced cocktail has faint saltiness from the manzanilla, delicate pear fruit and well integrated fortifying tequila.

Picador
With: Reposado tequila, triple sec and lime juice
We say: The name might be more masculine but it still tastes just like a classic Margarita.

Pre Siesta
With: Reposado tequila, Aperol, triple sec and orange bitters
We say: Orange liqueurs and bitters flavour this tequila-based, salmon-pink, dry and hard cocktail.

Saúco Margarita
With: Reposado tequila, elderflower liqueur and lime juice
We say: The floral notes of elderflower combine wonderfully with the herbaceous tequila and citrusy lime.

Smokestack Lightning
With: Reposado tequila, Islay single malt, agave syrup and lime juice
We say: Margarita-like with a wisp of Islay smoke.

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

El Torado
With: Reposado tequila, dry vermouth and apple juice
We say: Dry, sophisticated and fruity, with tequila body.

Tres Amigos Daiquiri
With: Blanco tequila, añejo tequila, navy rum, lime juice and sugar syrup
We say: Actually this is a navy rum influenced Margarita made to Daiquiri proportions, but whatever it's called, it's damn good.

Sandy The Showgirl
With: Añejo tequila, mezcal, maraschino liqueur, agave syrup and lavender bitters
We say: Tequila based with complex mezcal smokiness, rich maraschino cherry and floral lavender bitters. It's a drink that likes dilution so consider serving on the rocks. Sandy's that kind a girl.

Silk Stocking
With: Blanco tequila, white crème de cacao, pomegranate syrup and cream.
We say: So smooth but still retains a tequila bite and a hint of chocolate and fruit.

Spanish Eyes
With: Reposado tequila, Byrrh, pacharan, mezcal, orange juice and chocolate bitters
We say: Reminiscent of a Mexican Blood & Sand, refreshing and complex.

Sunny Disposition
With: Blanco tequila, Gentian liqueur, apricot brandy, lemon juice, sugar syrup and Boker's Bitters
We say: Slightly on the bitter side of bittersweet with gentian, jammy apricot and lemon juice over a tequila base.

Swedish Margarita
With: Reposado tequila, Swedish punch, lime juice and lemon juice
We say: A Swedish punch influenced Margarita. Tangy and oily.
For more tequila cocktails, explore Tequila blanco cocktails, Tequila reposado cocktails and Tequila anejo cocktails.