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10 Best Tequila Cocktails (Beyond the Margarita)
The best tequila and mezcal cocktails: Margarita, Paloma, Tommy's Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, Naked and Famous and more. Easy recipes and tasting notes.
By Mixlio Team · 6 min read · 14 October 2026
Tequila is much more than shots with salt and lime. Good 100% agave tequila is bright, peppery and slightly sweet, and it makes some of the most refreshing cocktails you can drink. Here are 10 tequila (and mezcal) cocktails to try, beyond the classic margarita.
The Classics
1. Margarita
Tequila, triple sec and lime. Tart, cold and direct. Still the king. Our full margarita guide.
2. Paloma
Tequila, a squeeze of lime, a pinch of salt and pink grapefruit soda. Light, fizzy and a little bitter. In Mexico, it's often more popular than the margarita. Build 50 ml tequila over ice and top with about 100 ml grapefruit soda. Paloma recipe.
3. Tommy's Margarita
Tequila, lime and agave syrup. No orange liqueur, so the agave flavor shines. Created at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco. Tommy's Margarita recipe.
4. Tequila Sunrise
Tequila and orange juice with grenadine sinking to the bottom. Fruity, sweet and colorful. Pour the grenadine last and let it fall to make the "sunrise". Tequila Sunrise recipe.
5. Grand Margarita
A margarita made with a cognac-based orange liqueur. Richer and rounder than the original. Grand Margarita recipe.
Easy Tequila Drinks
6. Tequila Soda (Ranch Water)
Tequila, lots of lime and sparkling mineral water. Very light and very dry. A Texas favorite for hot days.
7. Spicy Margarita
A margarita with a few slices of jalapeño muddled in. Hot, tart and addictive. Remove the seeds for less heat.
8. Tequila and Tonic
Tequila, tonic water and a lime or grapefruit wedge. A great swap for a gin and tonic.
Mezcal Cocktails
Mezcal is tequila's smoky cousin. Both are made from agave, but mezcal's agave is usually roasted in earth pits, which gives it a smoky taste.
9. Naked and Famous
Equal parts mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol and lime. Smoky, herbal, bittersweet and bright. A modern classic from New York. Naked and Famous recipe.
10. Mezcal Negroni
Mezcal, Campari and sweet vermouth. The classic Negroni with a smoky twist.
Which Tequila to Use
- Blanco (silver): unaged, fresh and peppery. Best for margaritas, palomas and most citrus drinks.
- Reposado: aged a few months in wood. Softer, with vanilla and caramel notes. Great in stirred drinks and a tequila Old Fashioned.
- Añejo: aged at least a year. Best for sipping.
Always look for "100% agave" on the label. Tequila without it (called "mixto") can contain other sugars and often tastes harsh.
Tequila Cocktails FAQ
What's the easiest tequila cocktail? A Paloma or a Ranch Water. Just pour over ice and stir.
What mixes well with tequila? Lime, grapefruit, orange, agave syrup, soda water, ginger beer, chili and salt.
Is mezcal the same as tequila? Tequila is a type of mezcal, made from blue agave in specific regions of Mexico. Most other mezcals taste smokier.
What's the best tequila for a margarita? A 100% agave blanco tequila.
Find Your Tequila Drink
Not sure which agave drink on the menu fits you? Mixlio scans the bar menu and tells you which drinks match your taste.
