20 Sensational Tequila Cocktails to Sip This Summer

For days at the beach 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

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

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, making it a very photogenic cocktail that’s also super tasty. A win-win!

3. Paloma

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 flavor match made in heaven! Discover the easiest Paloma recipe and get serving. 

4. Blood Orange Margarita

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

5. Grand Margarita

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 an orange liqueur made in the Curaçao tradition. Learn how you make a Grand Margarita.  

6. Smokin’ Margarita

A smoky twist on the classic Margarita — the same citrusy tequila goodness but rimmed with dramatic black lava salt for a striking look and taste. Add an egg white if you’re after a creamier texture.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Grand Marnier

• 1 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Agave syrup

• Black lava salt (to rim glass)

• Lime wheel (to garnish)

• Egg white (optional, for creaminess)

• Ice

Method

1. Moisten the rim of the glass with a lime wedge, dip it into the black lava salt to coat

2. Add tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and agave syrup to an ice-filled shaker

3. Add egg white if using

4. Shake until well chilled (and frothy if egg white is added)

5. Fill a prepared glass with ice

6. Strain Margarita into the glass

7. Garnish with a lime wheel

8. Serve

7. Watermelon Tequila

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

A tequila twist on the all-time brunch favourite, the Bloody Maria swaps vodka for tequila, giving the classic Bloody Mary mix a bold, nuanced flavour.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 4 oz Tomato juice (good quality)

• 2 tsp Horseradish

• 3 dashes Tabasco sauce (or preferred hot sauce)

• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce (or vegan alternative)

• 2 dashes Pickle juice

• 1 pinch Salt (or celery salt)

• 1 pinch Cracked black pepper

• 1 pinch Smoked paprika (optional)

• Old Bay seasoning (to rim glass)

• Lemon wedge

• Celery stalk (to garnish)

• 3 Stuffed green olives (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Old Bay seasoning to a plate

2. Run a lemon wedge along the rim of your glass and dip it into the seasoning

3. Fill the glass with ice and set it aside

4. Build tequila, tomato juice, and all seasonings in a large mixing glass with ice

5. Pour back and forth between the mixing glass and the cocktail shaker until well mixed

6. Strain into the prepared glass

7. Garnish with a lemon wedge, a celery stalk, and olives on a pick

8. Serve

9. Blue Lagoon Margarita

Every now and then, you need a showstopper, and this bright blue Margarita is exactly that. Tequila, Blue Curaçao, and pineapple juice bring tropical vibes with a splash of citrus fizz.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 1 oz Blue Curaçao liqueur

• 1 oz Pineapple juice

• 0.5 oz Lime juice

• 2 oz Lemon-lime soda

• Pineapple wedge or lime wheel (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add tequila, Blue Curaçao, pineapple juice, and lime juice to an ice-filled shaker

2. Shake until well chilled

3. Strain into a glass filled with ice

4. Top with lemon-lime soda

5. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or lime wheel

6. Serve

10. Mexican Coffee

When the sun starts to set and the heat of the day cools, choose a Mexican Coffee cocktail for cozy evening vibes. Served hot, this coffee cocktail is made with tequila, coffee-flavored liqueur, and freshly brewed coffee. Add whipped cream to really hit the spot. Learn how to make this boozy coffee with our simple recipe. 

11. Buena Vista Margarita Cocktail

A summer tequila drink with plenty of swagger, this Margarita blends pineapple gum syrup, chili liqueur, and bitters for a bold, flavor-packed serve.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 0.75 oz Pineapple simple syrup

• 0.75 oz Lime juice

• 0.25 oz Ancho Reyes (opens in new window) chilli liqueur

• 2 dashes Bitters

• Lime wheel or pineapple slice (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add tequila, pineapple simple syrup, lime juice, chili liqueur, and bitters to an ice-filled shaker

2. Shake until well chilled

3. Strain into a glass filled with ice

4. Garnish with a lime wheel or pineapple slice

5. Serve

12. Ghost Margarita Cocktail

A spooky twist on the classic, this Margarita swaps lime for lemon and orange, then adds a dash of hot pepper extract for a tart, spicy kick.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 1 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Orange juice (fresh)

• Dash Hot pepper extract

• Lemon or orange wheel (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add tequila, lemon juice, orange juice, and hot pepper extract to an ice-filled shaker

2. Shake until well chilled

3. Strain into a glass filled with ice

4. Garnish with a lemon or orange wheel

5. Serve

13. Tutti Frutti Cocktail

Fruity, fun, and a little over the top, this Margarita layers melon and passionfruit liqueurs with tequila and cranberry juice for a candy-bright serve.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 0.75 oz Melon liqueur

• 0.75 oz Pessoa passionfruit liqueur

• 2 oz Cranberry juice

• Lime wheel or melon ball (to garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add tequila, melon liqueur, passionfruit liqueur, and cranberry juice to an ice-filled shaker

2. Shake until well chilled

3. Strain into a glass filled with ice

4. Garnish with a lime wheel or melon ball

5. Serve

14. Long Island Iced Tea

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 color 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

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 flavor 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 Lime 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 flavors 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

A vibrant cocktail inspired by the sunny shores of Mexico, the zesty Cantarito cocktail comes to the party bursting with citrus flavors, 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

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 favorite.

19. Mexican Martini

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

20. Mexican Mule

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 colored with a jaunty lime wedge garnish, it pairs wonderfully with savory appetizers like chips and guacamole, or spicy chicken dishes like Tinga de Pollo.

Inspired by our tasty tequila cocktails? Visit the Espolòn (opens in new window) website for more drinks ideas and to stock up on your recipe essentials. And remember to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the mix.