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20 Easy Tequila Summer Cocktails for Beginners

May 24, 2022 by

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For days in the park and warm summery evenings in the garden, get everyone together and enjoy fresh tequila summer cocktails in the sunshine. Our list of tasty tequila-based cocktails will ensure your hosting skills are always on point and the variety of refreshing tequila drinks on offer will mean there’s something for everyone, even if you can’t handle your spice!  

So easy to make at home (even for newbies!), shake up a batch of summer cocktails with tequila for a party like no other. Here’s our top 20 to get you started: 

1. Tequila Sour cocktail

Close up front view of two Tequila Sours on a white cloth surface

Tequila summer cocktails do not come any more iconic than this. A quintessential mashup between a classy 1920S sour cocktail and a tasty modern-day Margarita, the recipe for a Tequila Sour cocktail walks the fine line between vintage and trendy, with plenty of lemony-lime appeal. 

2. Tequila Sunrise cocktail

Close up of a trio of colorful Tequila Sunrise cocktails with limes, pineapples and cherrie as garnish

One of the undisputed best beach cocktails ever, the picture-perfect Tequila Sunrise combines tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup in a tall glass. These ingredients layer prettily on top of one another, which makes it a very photogenic cocktail, that’s also super tasty. A win-win!

3. Paloma cocktail

Overhead shot of two Paloma cocktails garnished with fresh grapefruit slices and sprigs of rosemary

If you love serving refreshing tequila drinks in summer, we can highly recommend the Paloma. Combining tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and club soda, it’s potent, yet refreshing and zesty to the core. Pair it with fish tacos for a flavour match made in heaven! Discover the easiest Paloma recipe and get serving. 

4. Blood Orange Margarita cocktail

Close up front view of a Blood Orange Margarita garnished with a dehydrated slice of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary

Featuring fresh blood orange, limes, agave nectar, and tequila, this Blood Orange Margarita is a refreshing twist on the classic recipe and is ideal for tequila enthusiasts who enjoy a bittersweet flavour profile. It also has a gorgeously deep colour that makes it great for cheers selfies and tropical-themed parties.

5. Grand Margarita cocktail

Close up top view of a pair of Cadillac Margarita cocktails with salted rims and lime wedges as garnish, on a copper serving platter

This tequila-based cocktail is another super fancy spin on the famous Margarita. Also known as the Grand Margarita, this twist on the original features the best of the best ingredients, i.e., top-shelf tequila, freshly-squeezed lime juice, and orange liqueur.

6. Smokin’ Margarita cocktailClose up shot of a black-salt-rimmed smokin Margarita with a lime wedge as garnish

If you want to treat your guests to something a little different, the Smokin’ Margarita should definitely be on your radar. This unique drink features all the classic Margarita ingredients, but it’s rimmed with black lava salt, which looks really cool and adds a very unique taste. You also have the option of adding an egg white to make it creamier, if you want.  

7. Watermelon Tequila cocktail

Top view of a pair of Watermelon Tequila cocktails garnished with fresh slices of lime and watermelon on a light blue surface

The best summer cocktails with tequila tend to capture the essence of the season. We love the fact that the Watermelon Tequila cocktail takes summery watermelon and gives it some edge. This drink is as refreshing as it is simple to make! Give it a go with our easy recipe. 

8. Bloody Maria cocktail

Close up front view of two Tequila Bloody Maria's with lime wheels as garnish and a spiced rim to finish it off

The Bloody Maria cocktail is a spin-off of the classic Bloody Mary, which features vodka, tomato juice, and other spices and flavourings including Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic, and herbs, depending on the recipe you’re following. The difference with the Bloody Maria is that you use tequila instead of vodka, which gives it a more nuanced flavour. 

9. Blue Lagoon Margarita cocktail

Close up front view of Blue Lagoon Margarita cocktail in front of a tropical foliage backdrop

Every now and again you need a showstopper in your cocktail line-up. This is when the Blue Lagoon Margarita should be at the top of your must-make list. The recipe for this pretty blue drink includes tequila, blue curaçao liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, and lemon-lime soda and is bright blue in colour, as the name suggests. Get sipping and dream of the deep blue ocean with our easy recipe. 

10. Mexican Coffee cocktail

Close up front view of a trio of Hot Mexican Coffee Cocktails in cut-glass tumblers with cream and cocao as garnish

When the sun starts to set and the heat of the day cools, choose a Mexican Coffee cocktail for cosy evening vibes. Served hot, this coffee cocktail is made with tequila, coffee-flavoured liqueur, and freshly brewed coffee. Add whipped cream to really hit the spot.

11. Buena Vista Margarita cocktail

Close up front view of a Buena Vista cocktail in a Margarita glass with lime wheel, with fresh pineapples in the background

A summer tequila drink with some serious swagger, the Buena Vista Margarita cocktail comes to the party with plenty of flavour and personality. It combines tequila, pineapple gum syrup, lime juice, bitters, and chili liqueur to absolute perfection.

12. Ghost Margarita cocktail

Close up front view of a yellow Ghost Margarita with orange juice and chili as garnish

The Ghost Margarita is another easy-to-make variation on the classic Margarita. It features premium 100% agave tequila with a dash of hot pepper extract. To this, you then add some lemon and orange juice instead of the typical lime juice, for a refreshingly tart drink with a delectable hint of spice.

13. Tutti Fruitti cocktail

Close up front view of a Tutti frutti cocktail with cranberry juice and melon liqueur and a wedge of lime as garnish

If you like your cocktails super sweet and very fruity, the Tutti Frutti will be right up your alley. It combines tequila, melon liqueur, Pessoa liqueur, and cranberry juice in the most delightful way possible. 

14. Long Island Iced Tea

Front image of three homemade Long Island Ice Tea Cocktails with Lemon garnish

Served in a tall glass with lots of ice, the refreshing and slightly sweet Long Island Iced Tea packs a punch with its blend of spirits and mixers. Its smooth, amber colour and invigorating aroma make for a perfect pairing with a sunny day spent with friends or a fun night out on the town. With just one sip, you’ll understand why the Long Island Iced Tea has stood the test of time and remains a go-to drink for any occasion.

15. Ranch Water

Three Ranch Water cocktails with lime and fresh mint garnish

Saddle up and try the Ranch Water cocktail, a unique and superbly sippable drink that will transport you to the balmy verandas of West Texas. With a deceptively complex and 100% delicious flavour profile, it’s the ideal drink to serve when you’re looking to unwind after a long day or trying to impress your friends with a classic cocktail recipe.

16. Classic Margarita

Virgin Margarita

Of all the Margarita cocktails out there, the Lime Margarita will always remain the true-blue classic. With just a touch of simple syrup and a dash of fresh lime juice, you can tease out the flavours of a good tequila in the most memorable way. Add a salt rim for extra oomph, and discover the simple joys of a drink well poured.

17. Cantarito Cocktail

Cantarito Cocktail served in a clay cup with grapefruit and chili garnish

A vibrant cocktail inspired by the sunny shores of Mexico, the zesty Cantarito cocktail comes to the party bursting with citrus flavours, making it the perfect complement to a spicy meal or a hot summer day. Serve it with some chile rellenos, chicken mole, or fresh ceviche for a meal that will not soon be forgotten.

18. Strawberry Margarita

Strawberry Margarita pitcher

The Strawberry Margarita is one of those drinks that just taste like a holiday in the glass. We love making it with fresh strawberries in season, but frozen ones will also do the trick. It’s equally good frozen or on the rocks, so try both ways to see which is your favourite.

19. Mexican Martini

Mexican Martini with lime and mint

Created in Texas, the Mexican Margarita is a delicious blend of two classics – a Dirty Martini and a classic Margarita. The sugary lime flavours of the Margarita are mellowed by the olive juice of the Martini, with crisp Cinzano Vermouth Bianco to complete the picture

20. Mexican Mule

Mexican Mule cocktail with fresh ginger in a copper mug

Featuring a beginner-friendly list of easy-to-find ingredients, the Mexican Mule is a decidedly photogenic drink served in a classic copper mug. Zesty and amber-coloured with a jaunty lime wedge garnish, it pairs wonderfully with savoury canapés like chips and guacamole, or spicy chicken dishes like Tinga de Pollo.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Even though tequila is a spirit with quite a distinctive taste, it still pairs well with a variety of mixers. This includes:   Fresh fruit juices like lime, orange, apple, and cranberry  Cordials like lime and passion fruit  Naturally fermented drinks like kombucha  Commercial sodas  Hot beverages like coffee and hot chocolate 

Most fruit juices pair well with tequila, but orange, cranberry, pineapple, grapefruit, and lime juice are particularly popular.  

A Tequila Sunrise cocktail combines tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.  

If you like a sweet, bubbly drink, lemonade makes an excellent mixer for tequila.  

A Watermelon Tequila cocktail contains watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, and salt. It is shaken together and served on the rocks. 

Simply combine equal parts of water and white cane sugar and bring it to a simmer in a pot on the stove until the sugar is fully dissolved. Pour it into a jar (very carefully), and then let it cool off completely before you use it in your cocktails at home.

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