7 Essential Cocktails with Tequila

If you're like me, you believe that tequila is the answer to all of life's problems. Bad day at work? Tequila. Heartbreak? Tequila. Zombie apocalypse? Definitely tequila. Tequila is a popular distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, and it's an essential in many classic cocktails. Previously, in Liquor 103 post, I talked about the processes and hard work that go into place to make tequila from the blue agave plant.

In the Most Popular Cocktail post, we saw a tequila based cocktails, the infamous Margarita, is the most popular cocktail in the US. In this blog post, I will be exploring some of the most popular tequila-based cocktails, their origins, and what makes them so delicious.

So grab a drink because we're about to dive into the world of tequila and learn some magical potions that makes them so irresistible!

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7. Ranch Water

Ranch Water is a simple and refreshing cocktail that originated in West Texas. Ranch Water is made with just three ingredients - tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico (Or sparkling mineral water) - and is typically served over ice.

To make a Ranch Water cocktail, you will need:

• 2 oz (60 ml) tequila
• 3 oz (90 ml) sparkling mineral water (such as Topo Chico or Perrier)
• 0.5 oz (15) fresh lime juice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Pour in the tequila and lime juice.
3. Top off with the sparkling mineral water.
4. Stir gently. [Optional: Add a splash of grapefruit juice]
5. Garnish with a lime wedge or rim of salt on the glass and enjoy!

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6. Mexican Mule

Mexican Mule is a spin on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. It's a refreshing and spicy cocktail that's perfect for any occasion. Mexican Mule is made with tequila, ginger beer, lime juice, and sometimes a touch of jalapeño for an extra kick.

To make a Mexican Mule cocktail, you will need:

• 2 oz (60 ml) tequila
• 4 oz (120 ml) ginger beer or
• 0.5 oz (15) fresh lime juice
• Lime wedge for garnish
• [Optional] Jalapeño slices

Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice.
2. Pour in the tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer.
3. Add jalapeño slices (optional) for an extra kick.
4. Stir gently.
5. Garnish with and a lime wedge. Enjoy!

Make is hot: You can muddle a few jalapeño slices at the bottom of the glass before adding the ice and other ingredients. Additionally, you can also try swapping the ginger beer with a spicy ginger ale to make it a hot spicy cocktail.

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5. Bloody Maria

A Bloody Maria is like a Bloody Mary in that it’s made with tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and spices, but instead of using vodka, it uses everyone's favorite liquor – tequila! This is typically enjoyed as a brunch or breakfast drink.

To make a Bloody Maria cocktail, you will need:

• 2 oz (60 ml) blanc Tequila
• 4-6 oz (120-180 ml) tomato juice
• 0.5 oz (15) fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 tsp. horseradish
• 2-3 dashes hot sauce
• Pinch of celery salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• Celery stalk or other vegetables for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in the tequila, tomato juice, and lemon juice.
3. Add the Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a celery stalk or other vegetables.

4. Tequila Sunrise

Tequila Sunrise is a classic cocktail made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup, giving it a beautiful gradient of colors resembling a sunrise. It's a refreshing and fruity cocktail that's perfect for any occasion, especially a summer day by the pool. Someone said tequila sunrise for brunch?

To make a Tequila Sunrise cocktail, you will need:

• 2 oz (60 ml) tequila
• 4 oz (120 ml) orange juice
• 0.5 oz (15 mp) grenadine syrup
• Ice
• Orange slice or cherry for garnish, or both

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice, preferably highball
2. Pour in the tequila and orange juice. [Twist: Replace orange juice with pineapple juice or grapefruit juice]
3. Slowly pour the grenadine syrup over the back of a spoon into the glass to create the sunrise effect. It should settle at the bottom of the glass and gradually rise to the top.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry!

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3. Tequila Old Fashioned

Tequila Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, made with tequila instead of bourbon or whiskey. It's a drink which is simple in making but a sophisticated in taste. Thus, that's perfect for sipping on a cool evening.

To make a Tequila Old Fashioned cocktail, you will need:

• 2 oz (60 ml) Tequila reposado or anejo
• 1 tsp. agave nectar or simple syrup
• 2 dashes of bitters
• Ice
• Dried blood orange slices and rosemary

Instructions:

1. In an Old Fashioned glass, stir the tequila, agave nectar or simple syrup, and bitters together.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with a dried blood orange slice and rosemary.

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2. Paloma

Paloma is a refreshing cocktail that originated in Mexico. In Spanish paloma means "dove", and it's a popular alternative to the classic Margarita. Paloma is typically made with tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime juice, and can be served on the rocks or as a blended drink.

To make a Paloma cocktail, you will need:

• 2 oz (60 ml) tequila
• 3 oz (90 ml) grapefruit juice
• 0.5 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
• Salt for rimming (optional)
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim a highball glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour in the tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda.
4. Stir gently. [Optional: And add a splash of soda water or ginger beer for a little extra fizz]
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

1. Margarita

"THE" most popular cocktail around the world. Margarita made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, served either on the rocks or frozen. Simply mix or blend the ingredients with ice to make margarita on rock or frozen one, respectively. You can also add other mixers, such as orange juice or pineapple juice, to vary the flavor of your margarita. It is common to use Margarita glasses while serving this happy cocktail. You can go above and beyond and buy glory margarita glasses from Crate & Barrel or check the link below from Amazon.

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Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) tequila
• 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz (15 ml) orange liqueur (such as Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 0.5 oz (15 ml) simple syrup
• Salt for rimming the glasses (optional)
• Ice
• Lime wedges for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rim two cocktail glasses with salt (if desired) by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and then dipping the rim into a shallow dish of salt.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until the cocktail shaker feels very cold.
4. Fill the prepared glasses with ice and strain the cocktail evenly into the glasses.
5. Garnish each glass with a lime wedge if desired.
6. Serve and enjoy your delicious Margarita!

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