12 Best Tequila Mixers + Cocktails for Each

Key Takeaways

• Tequila is an extremely versatile drink that works well in many cocktails.
• Tequila can be mixed with fruit juices, soda water, and other alcoholic mixers.
• Experiment! Your favorite alcoholic mixed drink may just be one that you haven’t even tried yet!
• Try using different types of tequila, but often blanco and reposado tequilas work better than an aged tequila in a mixed drink.
• Have fun, but remember to drink responsibly too!

Fruit Juices

If you like a shot of vitamin C with your tequila cocktails, then mixing tequila with orange juice in a tequila screwdriver should be your next tequila cocktail. The simple screwdriver just requires two ingredients and is super simple to make.

Simply add two ounces of tequila to an ice-filled highball glass, and then top up with five ounces of fresh orange juice.

When it comes to classic cocktails, there are few that conjure up images of the Caribbean quite like a piña colada can. Traditionally made with Caribbean rum, you can switch that for tequila to make a tequila piña colada instead.

Grab some fresh pineapple juice and a bottle of silver tequila (or blanco tequila), coconut cream, simple syrup, lime juice, and plenty of ice, and get mixing!

The Paloma, the Spanish word for “dove,” is a classic tequila-based cocktail. This tequila drink is most commonly prepared by mixing tequila, lime juice, and a grapefruit soda together and serving with a lime wedge over ice.

For extra flavor, you can switch the grapefruit soda to fresh grapefruit juice. First, salt the rim of your glass by moistening it with a grapefruit wedge and then dipping it in kosher salt. Then grab some tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, club soda, and some sugar and mix up your extra-fruity Paloma.

A Juan Collins, also known as a tequila Collins, is a twist on the classic Tom Collins but uses tequila rather than gin as its base. Grab a bottle of blanco or reposado tequila, some fresh lemon juice, agave syrup, and soda water, then build your cocktail in a Collins glass filled with plenty of ice. Simple and refreshing.

For a fruity tequila cocktail, add some reposado tequila, creme de cassis, fresh lime juice, and some ginger beer to a cocktail shaker with some ice cubes and give it a hearty shake. Creme de cassis is a sweet blackcurrant liqueur that works well with the spice of ginger and the smooth tequila flavors.

If you prefer, you can switch from ginger beer to ginger ale, which will give you a less spiced version of the drink.

When it comes to making cocktails with tomato juice, everyone’s first thought is the bloody Mary, a classic brunch staple. But, by switching the vodka for tequila, you can create a bloody Maria cocktail instead. 

Perhaps the ideal way to shake off that Spring Break hangover in Cabo, a bloody Maria, calls for a few ingredients, but you could simplify things by using a bloody mary mix too.

The main ingredients that you’ll need will include, aside from the tequila and tomato juice, some Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, and some celery salt and black pepper, and feel free to go to town when preparing a fruity garnish!

Sodas

This recipe by A Couple Cooks is one of the most simple tequila cocktails out there. Simply squeeze fresh lime juice into a highball glass, then add in some reposado tequila and a few ice cubes before giving it a gentle stir, then top up with club soda, soda water, or sparkling water.

Another simple recipe, the tequila and tonic, offers a Mexican twist to the classic British gin and tonic. Simply pour some blanco tequila into a glass and top with tonic water. A splash of lime juice adds a bit more life, and don’t forget a couple of ice cubes too.

If you like a splash of color in your cocktails, then this Outlander-inspired cocktail recipe may be just what you’re looking for. The splash of color comes from blue curaçao, and you’ll also want to have some tequila, triple sec, and some lemon/lime soda.

Add your favorite tequila, blue curacao, triple sec, and a squeeze of lime juice to a cocktail shaker and give it a little shake. Pour the chilled mixture into an ice-filled glass and top off with the lemon and lime soda and garnish with a lime wedge.

For a Mexican twist on a Cuba libre, you can eschew the Caribbean rum and plump for a nice bottle of tequila reposado or a silver tequila instead. To make the simple cocktail, mix tequila with Coca-Cola in an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with lime or cherries.

Alcoholic Mixers

If you’re a fan of a classic margarita, this recipe by Delish could be what you’re craving. You’ll need some lime wedges to salt rim the glasses and for garnishing, and then for the drink, in addition to your favorite brand of agave spirit, also have on hand a bottle of orange liqueur, such as triple sec.

Once you have salted your rims, pour the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice in and give it a little stir to mix.

For a Mexican martini, also called a tequini, you need two main ingredients: tequila blanco and dry vermouth. The tequila replaces the gin in a classic martini, and if you have a sweet tooth, you could make a sweeter version by using sweet vermouth over the dry one.

For garnishing, you could stick with traditional martini garnishes of an olive or a lemon twist, and if you enjoy a dirty martini, you could go for a dirty tequini by adding a splash of olive juice too.

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