5 Easy Tequila Cocktails To Make At Home Year-Round

The Aguacatona

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I had this drink twice in Mexico City, and it was absolutely delicious — I mean, avocado in a cocktail, can you really go wrong? Here’s the recipe: 

• 1/4 Avocado, mashed
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz Tequila
• ½ oz Agave (or none, if you like your cocktails less sweet, like I do)
• ½ oz Lemon Juice

The bartender in Mexico City I talked to suggested tasting the mix to make sure it’s balanced before you add the tequila (and added that it’s always best to do this, since booze is the most expensive ingredient to throw out if you need to start over) — it will be a little diluted with ice and booze, so it should be slightly sweeter than you would want the drink itself.

• Related Story: 5 Spring Break-Inspired Cocktails That Are The Next Best Thing To Being In Mexico

Shake it up, and double strain it, which looks like this:

Garnish with pepper or cardamom. Pro tip: you can get that pretty, straight line of pepper from holding a knife cover over the glass and sprinkling alongside it, like so:

And just like that, you have one tasty and fancy-looking drink.

Tommy’s Margarita 

It’s a classic for a reason. Again, if you like your drinks less sweet, feel free to experiment with using less agave. Another note from the pros — not all agave sold in stores is actually 100% agave, but might be a blend with sugar or maple syrup, so be sure to read the label!

• ½ oz Agave Nectar
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 oz Tequila

Shake and fine strain to rocks with half-salted rim. Garnish with a lime wheel.  That’s it! See, no pre-made nasty mix needed.

Altos Fresh

This is a great afternoon cocktail, refreshing and a little sweet for warm weather, like a green tea cucumber lemonade.

• 2 oz Green Tea
• 1 oz Cucumber Syrup (cucumber and simple syrup)
• 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
• A small dash Pernod liquor (or a little more if you like more anise flavor)
• 2 oz Tequila

Shake it up, and double strain it, like so:

Peel a cucumber to create a wide, pretty ribbon to line the glass, then garnish with mint.

Crafted Paloma 

Another delicious Mexican cocktail standard, if you love Greyhounds, Palomas are their sexy Mexican cousin.

• 2 oz Altos Plata 
• 2 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• ½ oz Agave Syrup
• Pinch Salt
• Crushed Pink Peppercorns

Rim a collins glass with salt and crushed pink peppercorns. Lightly shake all ingredients and strain into the glass. Fill the glass with ice, and garnish half moon grapefruit. 

Banderas

OK, so this is more of a deconstructed cocktail, but it is very celebratory of the Mexican flag, and a delicious and traditional way to enjoy some good tequila. Honestly, I’ve found my hangover is much better if I just stick to some good Reposado and lime juice (plus plenty of water). 

• 1 Shot Lime Juice (pure or with a little agave)
• 1 Shot Tequila
• 1 Shot Sangrita*

*Sangrita

This Sangrita recipe makes approx 1 ltr. (40 servings), so feel free to adjust way down if you aren’t throwing a party.

• 750 ml Tomato Juice
• 100 ml Lime Juice
• 100 ml Lemon Juice
• Dash Tabasco
• Dash Grenadine
• 2 Pinch Sea salt
• 2 Pinch Ground Black Pepper

Add all ingredients into a large jug, stir well and store in a clean 1 ltr. glass bottle in fridge until ready to serve.

Party safe, and may the tequila be with you!

Images: Rachel Krantz