There are various similar drinks within the margarita family, all based on the classic recipe. If you’re craving a sweeter cocktail, our recipe for pineapple margarita should hit the spot, or, for a more grown-up, balanced flavour, try a pomegranate and lime margarita. Margaritas also make the best slushies, and Olive Magazine’s frozen peach margarita is a truly delicious way to cool off on a hot day, and can even be served as a light, granita-style dessert.
Tequila and lime is a winning combination - the perfect balance of slightly sweet agave and zesty citrus - and even cocktails that aren’t technically margaritas often contain some fresh lime juice. If you like the idea of creating your own tequila cocktail, adding some lime is always a great place to start, but if you prefer something tried and tested, there are plenty of existing recipes to try.
The Mystic Marvel (recipe available from this cocktail list by Town and Country) is a tequila blanco and lime cocktail that showcases tequila’s Mexican heritage with the addition of prickly pear purée and agave syrup, served with a salted rim and an extra wedge of lime. If you prefer a long, thirst-quenching cocktail, you’ll love this tequila diablo rojo recipe by BBC Food, another tequila blanco and lime cocktail, topped up with ginger beer and crème de cassis and garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds.
For a tequila lime cocktail with a breath of chilli heat, try a Vampiro (recipe available from this cocktail list by Town and Country). This unique cocktail is made with sangrita, a mixture of orange, lime and grapefruit juices with hot chilli sauce, which just happens to be one of the traditional Mexican accompaniments for tequila.
The subtle sweetness of tequila also makes it a great choice for dessert cocktails that satisfy your sweet tooth without being too cloying. We love the Marble Queen (recipe available from this cocktail list by Town and Country), a creamy cocktail with a taste of the tropics, made from a simple combination of tequila blanco, coconut cream, and our old friend lime, which pairs beautifully with both. Or try this recipe for Dulce de Tequila for a grown-up candy flavour made from smoky tequila resposado, cognac and orange.
You could even try swapping vodka or other spirits for tequila for a Mexican twist on some of your old favourites. You might just find you like it better. Espresso martini made with tequila resposado (recipe available from this cocktail list by the Guardian) is a revelation, the hint of caramel from the resposado blending perfectly with the bitter espresso.
Brunch favourite the Bloody Mary also benefits from a Mexican upgrade in this Bloody Maria recipe from The Spruce Eats. Unlike vodka, tequila holds its own among the rich tomato and spicy Tabasco, adding an extra layer of sweet, earthy agave to the mix.
Other fun adaptations include the Wahaca Mule (recipe available from this cocktail list by The Guardian), a tequila version of the Moscow Mule, and the Brave Bull (recipe courtesy of The Spruce Eats), a tequila version of the Black Russian. You can even try swapping whiskey for tequila resposado to make a tequila old fashioned (recipe available from this cocktail list by The Guardian), a lighter, more summery version of the whiskey classic.
With so many to choose from, there’s sure to be a tequila cocktail to suit every palate. Try some at your next summer barbecue.
