Tequila is much more than just the stuff you throw back in a shot or whiz up with ice and fluorescent green margarita mix. (And if you've only gulped it those two ways, let us tell you: you're missing out.) This Cinco de Mayo, once you've had your requisite classic margarita, why not try a new tequila drink? Here are 17 cocktail recipes that bring together the bright, herbal spirit with fresh fruit, amaro, and more.
Wondering which bottle to use as your base? You don't need to shell out tons of cash: here are our picks for the best affordable tequilas on the market.
Let's get mixing!
Hibiscus-Tequila Cooler
[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]
If you're throwing a party for a crowd, it can be handy to have your drinks mixed up ahead of time. Enter the pitcher drink, made here with tequila and lime, bittersweet tonic water, and an easy hibiscus syrup that gives the cocktail a wonderful tart and floral flavor. If you can't find dried hibiscus flowers in your local gourmet food store, Mexican grocery, or herb shop, you can order them online.
Santa Carla
[Photograph: Jessica Leibowitz]
Whip up this Collins variation once and you may find it becomes Your Summer Drink. Tall, cooling, and bright, it's crisp, tart, and fragrant (plus ridiculously easy to make.)
Fresh Watermelon Margaritas
[Photograph: Robyn Lee]
To get the watermelon flavor to really come through in this thirst-quencher, you'll whir an ample amount of ripe cubed melon in a blender with a little kosher salt. The lightly floral side of silver tequila is enhanced by a bit of St. Germain elderflower liqueur. We promise the results aren't perfumey, though: just fruity and fresh. The recipe makes three...but you might want to hog them all for yourself.
Long Faced Dove
[Photograph: Maggie Hoffman]
If you like your drinks a little bitter, this is the tequila cocktail for you, boosted with a splash of Campari, fresh grapefruit, and lime. Ginger beer rounds off the tartness and adds a pleasant fizz.
Mango-Ginger Cocktail With Cilantro
[Photograph: Rabi Abonour]
Maybe you've got a well-stocked bar with every spirit and liqueur alphabetized, but just in case you don't, this drink only takes one bottle: some decent reposado tequila. (Consider a few of our favorites—Siembra Azul, Gran Centenario, or 7 Leguas—and try them sipped on their own, too.) The cocktail is flavored with a knob of spicy fresh ginger, plus juicy-sweet mango and grassy cilantro.
Fresh Pineapple Margaritas
[Photograph: Robyn Lee]
These margaritas are best with a very ripe pineapple, but if you discover that the one you have isn't quite there yet, cut it into chunks and microwave for 12 seconds to bring out the sweetness before proceeding. We like Cointreau and caramelly reposado tequila for this drink, but you can sub in any decent triple sec and blanco tequila if that's what you have on hand.
The Charming Foxhole
[Photograph: Nick Caruana]
If you tend to like your drinks stirred and a little serious, that doesn't mean tequila isn't an option for you. This concoction might remind you of a Negroni, though it's made with lighter Aperol, plus luscious Amaro Nonino, as well as a particularly complex Italian vermouth.
Get The Charming Foxhole recipe »
Paloma Brava
[Photograph: Jessica Leibowitz]
There's nothing wrong with a classic Paloma, made by mixing tequila with Squirt, Jarritos, or some other grapefruit soda. But this drink steps it up with the addition of tangy fresh lime, orange, and pink grapefruit juice. It's a pretty awesome upgrade.
Bitter Salty Perro
[Photograph: Heather Meldrom]
Tequila at brunch? Of course. Gather your friends for Chilaquiles Verdes and mix up a pitcher of this refreshing cocktail, made with freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice, tequila, and bittersweet tonic water.
The Federation
[Photograph: Nick Caruana]
This delicious spin on a Sazerac calls for añejo tequila instead of rye and uses high-quality creme de cacao (such as the one from Tempus Fugit) rather than sweetening with sugar. This slightly savory drink has a full, rich texture and hints of coffee, cocoa, and clove, making for an excellent after-dinner sipper.
Strawberry-Balsamic Tequila Sour
[Photograph: Rabi Abonour]
We love the combination of sweet strawberries with tangy balsamic vinegar. Here they're mixed with fresh lime juice and mint for a refreshingly tart-sweet tequila cocktail.
Fresh Cantaloupe Margaritas
[Photograph: Robyn Lee]
The understated sweetness of cantaloupe is even better with a touch of lime, so it's a natural cocktail combination, served frothy over ice in a tall glass. With its delicate flavor and refreshing lightness, this melon margarita will scare away any ghosts of freaky-melon-margaritas past.
Get the Fresh Cantaloupe Margarita recipe »
Cucumber-Tequila Cooler
[Photograph: Maggie Hoffman]
Tequila, spa-style. Cucumbers and celery add a cooling vegetal note to this drink, which is kept fresh with a good punch of lime and a pour of fizzy seltzer.
Get the Cucumber-Tequila Cooler recipe »
Fresa Verde
[Photograph: Nick Caruana]
This Jim Meehan creation balances the sweetness of muddled strawberry with the savory flavor of muddled bell pepper. Tangy pomegranate molasses adds a rich berry note that's brightened with fresh lime.
Mojalisco
[Photograph: Nick Caruana]
If you like a Dark 'n' Stormy, Moscow Mule, or Mojito, this drink is right up your alley. It features tequila and Crabbie's alcoholic ginger beer (that's right, a ginger beer with booze already in it) plus fresh mint, mojito-style, and tart lime. The cocktail is sweetened with Velvet Falernum, a common tiki ingredient that contributes layers of sweet almond, ginger, and clove. A little bit of Cynar adds an intriguing herbal presence that lurks among the bubbly and refreshing flavors.
Tomato Margarita with Fennel Salt
[Photograph: Autumn Giles]
A savory, salty, sour margarita is the perfect place for the tomato. To get the tomato's flavor in the forefront, you'll blitz it in a blender with tequila and then strain. (Easy!) Your tomato tequila doesn't need much: just a touch of lime, a little agave, and some fennel-scented salt.
Get the Tomato Margarita with Fennel Salt recipe »
El Diablo
[Photograph: Wes Rowe]
We're not-so-secretly obsessed with crème de cassis, and we love it in this refreshing drink, mixed with blanco tequila. The drink gets a hint of citrus from a half ounce of triple sec, and a little spice and richness from Pimm's No. 1, the same stuff you'd use in a Pimm's Cup.