by Libation Staff |
Last Updated: August 28, 2021 While tequila is a drink that you can sip straight or shoot up, there are many refreshing tequila-based cocktails and mixed drinks you can enjoy during the upcoming summer days. Here we’ll take a closer look at the well-known and more creative and unexpected tequila-based cocktails. If you are a fan of tequila, then read through the text and share some creative ideas of your own.
Best Mixers For Your Tequila Drinks
If you’re looking to put together some simple tequila drinks, then I’ve got you covered here for sure. Below you’ll find what I consider the simplest and most basic, yet refreshing drinks containing tequila as the main ingredient. Before you head to the grocery or liquor store, read what I’ve written below…
Is Mixing Tequila and Soda a Good Idea?
There is no rule on what sort of soda you can mix with tequila. However, the selection should depend on the type of soda you prefer and the food you’ll be eating. For a simple drink, club soda (also a good bourbon mixer) or seltzer will enhance the tequila flavor. This type of dink pairs well with lemon and lime garnish for a slight zestiness.
You can use grapefruit soda, root beer, ginger ale, coke, and more for a more complex drink. Still, the best ones that pair well with tequila are the sodas with citrus base, as they emphasize the tequila’s complex flavor. Plus, they remind of a famous classic tequila-based cocktail – the margarita.
Tequila and Coke
The brother of the famous rum and coke, tequila and coke is a lovely sweet drink. Its preparation is simple – your favorite cola drink, good tequila, some lime, and some salt for the rim of the glass.
To spice up this simple drink, you can mix some sugar and salt and garnish the rim of the glass with this. It will add some complexity to the tequila and coke drink for a more fun experience. This drink is popular for parties, as you can make an entire pitcher of tequila and coke and have a celebration.
Tequila and Sprite
Another soda and tequila mixed drink is the tequila and Sprite mix, a fan-favorite as it is delicious and easy to make. To make it, simply pour your measure of tequila in a glass, pour Sprite, add ice and a splash of lime juice. Its flavor is similar to the classic margarita drink and pairs perfectly with Mexican and other spicy foods.
Tequila and Dr. Pepper
Another take on the famous tequila and coke, tequila and Dr. Pepper, is a fun and refreshing drink. To brighten the flavor, add some freshly squeezed lemon juice of add several lemon slices in the glass, and use a straw to muddle the lemon and release the flavor gradually.
Tequila and Lemonade
You can blend tequila with lemonade, which results in a refreshing summer drink that you can enjoy with your friends at a backyard party or a barbeque get-together.
To make this refreshing drink, squeeze several lemons to make homemade lemonade and add your preferred measure of tequila.
To add some additional flavoring, you can add vanilla or extra lemon slices. To mix things up, you can also make this cocktail with strawberry or mango lemonade.
Tequila and Ginger Ale
Ginger ale is another soda drink that you can combine with tequila. It reminds slightly of the Moscow mule, and it takes just a couple of minutes to mix. Pour your measure of tequila into a glass, add ginger ale, and your preferred garnish. To make this more interesting, you can add orange liqueur and brown sugar or syrup to add more sweetness and enhance the flavor.
Tequila Smash
Tequila Smash is a cocktail that is similar to Mojito, but instead of rum, there is tequila in it. To make it, you’ll need quality tequila, agave syrup (or honey syrup), lemon juice, lime juice, and fresh mint leaves. If you prefer tequila, this is a perfectly refreshing summer drink.
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise is a world-famous cocktail and is tequila-based. You will need to mix grenadine syrup with tequila and orange juice in a hurricane glass to make this cocktail.
The trick to a perfect Tequila Sunrise cocktail is to pour in the grenadine syrup and tequila, carefully pour the orange juice on top and add a straw.
Garnish with orange slices and cherries for added effect and impress your guests. Once this cocktail is stirred, the grenadine syrup blends with the orange juice giving off impressive orange and red hues, just like the sunrise sky.
Tequila Sunset
Another take on tequila cocktails is the Tequila Sunset. This cocktail has a darker hue than its counterpart, as it uses grapefruit, mango, or pineapple juice instead of the orange juice in the Tequila Sunrise.
To make it, pour grenadine syrup and tequila in a hurricane glass, and pour your preferred juice and add a straw. To make it look even darker and more complex in flavor, you can use blackberry or cranberry syrup.
What Tequila To Use For Cocktails?
There is no rule on what tequila to use for mixed tequila-based drinks. It all comes down to personal preference and budget.
We suggest that you don’t use the expensive tequila (think Clase Azul, Don Julio 1942) for mixed drinks, as the added mixer will dull the natural tequila flavor. Instead, use an affordable tequila brand and keep the expensive stuff for sipping.
The Bottom Line
We’ve covered several fan-favorite tequila-based drinks above. Most of them are two-ingredient drinks but still offer a refreshing, tasty drink for a warm summer day.
However, you can also mix tequila with other ingredients, for example, seasonal-inspired tequila-based drinks. But that is a topic for another article. So, for now, try one of these refreshing tequila-based drinks.