The 10 best cocktails with Tequila & Mezcal

Tequila is a Mexican spirit made from the agave plant. There are generally numerous agaves, including cultivated and wild-growing plants. For a tequila to be called such, it must be produced from the so-called blue agave (Tequilana Weber). Only if the raw material is obtained from this plant is the designation Tequila permissible.

Mezcal is also a Mexican spirit that is also made from agave. In contrast to tequila, however, different types of agaves may be used here. Strictly speaking, tequila is a special type of mezcal, although a separate production process is prescribed for both. An essential part of this is the cooking or roasting of the agaves. Tequila is prepared in regular ovens (autoclaves). Mezcal, on the other hand, is often still produced traditionally in earthen pits (palenques).

Many lovers of tequila cocktails appreciate the original taste of mezcal, not least because of its characteristic aroma, which is due to its special preparation. The slow roasting of the agaves in the earth pits creates a smoky aroma. The flavors are also generally more intense than with tequila, which is only roasted for a few hours. At Pacific and Lime, you will find the best Mezcal products, which form a perfect base for a delicious cocktail with tequila.

The numerous margaritas, with their many variations, are among the classics of tequila cocktails. They are available both with ice (Frozen Margarita) and without, as well as in various variations with and without fruit.

As a fruity cocktail with tequila, the Strawberry Margarita is very popular. It consists of:

•   2 cl Tequila
•   2 cl Cointreau
•   6 Strawberries
•   2 cl Lemon or Lime Juice
•   Crushed Ice
•   Sugar

This fruity variation of a tequila cocktail does without the salt rim on the glass, which is otherwise typical for the Margarita. Instead, take a piece of your lime or alternatively lemon, rub it over the rim of the glass and then dip it in granulated sugar.

The tequila cocktail "Bloody Aztec" owes its name to the deep red food coloring that is added to the cocktail as a small gag to achieve this bloody effect. The cocktail is one of the most popular party drinks and tolerates a lot of effective garnishing, for example a lime slice on the rim of the glass and a small umbrella.

You need:

•   3 cl Tequila (Mezcal)
•   3 cl Creme de Cacao
•   1 cl red food coloring
•   Crushed ice

The key to the desired visual effect of this cocktail is to simply pour the ingredients into your glass without stirring at the end.

The Tequila Sunrise cocktail is as flavorful as it is easy to prepare. It requires only a few ingredients and makes a big impression.

Have the following ingredients ready for the Tequila Sunrise cocktail:

•   6 cl white tequila (Tequila Gold)
•   2 cl Grenadine (Pomegranate juice)
•   10 cl Orange juice
•   Orange slice
•   Ice cubes

The correct order is crucial for the preparation of the Tequila Sunrise cocktail due to the effect it creates. First, add the orange juice and tequila to your glass filled with ice cubes. Then place the orange slice on top of one of the ice cubes and very slowly pour the grenadine syrup into your Tequila Sunrise cocktail. Only with this order of your tequila cocktail mixology will the play of colors resemble a sunrise.

Like the Tequila Sunrise, the Devil's End is one of the cocktails with Tequila Gold. As with Dark Tequila Cocktails, these complementary designations refer to different degrees of ripeness or age classes.

You need for the Devil's End:

•   4 cl Tequila Gold
•   4 cl Amaretto
•   2 cl Grenadine
•   2 cl Lime juice
•   2 cl Orange liqueur
•   100 ml Orange juice
•   Ice cubes

Take a shaker and shake all ingredients well, except for the orange juice and ice cubes. Pour the contents into a glass with ice cubes, wait two minutes, and then slowly pour in the orange juice in a trickle. The colors of this cocktail with Tequila Gold will visually separate for a while.

Tequila cocktails with vodka are a very popular combination and are accordingly widely consumed and combined in numerous cocktails with mezcal or tequila. The Long Island is not only a tequila cocktail with vodka, but also with gin, orange liqueur, and rum. Here you have an exciting combination of five different alcoholic beverages, each contained in equal parts.

You need these ingredients:

•   1.5 cl Mezcal or Tequila
•   1.5 cl Vodka
•   1.5 cl Gin
•   1.5 cl White rum
•   1.5 cl Orange liqueur (e.g., Curaçao or Triple Sec)
•   1.5 cl Sugar syrup
•   3 cl Lime juice
•   Ice cubes
•   150 ml Cola

In contrast to James Bond and his Martini, the motto for this Tequila Cocktails Mixology is "stirred, not shaken."

This Tequila with Ginger Beer cocktail might sound familiar to you. It is a variation of another very well-known classic, namely the London Mule cocktail. The main difference in Ginger Beer cocktails Tequila is the ingredient Tequila instead of Vodka.

For the Tequila with Ginger Beer cocktail Mexican Mule you need:

•   6 cl Tequila (or Mezcal)
•   90 ml Ginger Beer
•   2 cl Lime juice
•   Ice cubes

The special thing is the vessel. Ideally, for style reasons, you should not use a glass for Ginger Beer cocktails with Tequila, but a copper mug.

There is not only the Tequila with Ginger Beer cocktail, but also the Tequila with Ginger Ale cocktail.

For the preparation of this delicious combination you need:

•   6 cl Tequila
•   2 cl Grenadine
•   100 ml Ginger Ale
•   Crushed Ice

Some people also use a little lime juice for this Tequila with Ginger Ale cocktail. It's best to try out which option tastes best to you. For a Tequila with Ginger Beer cocktail, lime juice is almost mandatory. Since ginger and lime harmonize well, you can safely try it in combination with ginger ale.

The counterpart to the Tequila Sunrise cocktail is the Tequila Moonrise. Dark Rum and Tequila Cocktails are an extremely popular combination. Mezcal or Tequila and Rum generally harmonize very well, and the Tequila Moonrise is no exception.

Have these ingredients ready:

•   3 cl dark rum
•   3 cl white rum
•   9 cl Tequila
•   1.5 cl lime juice
•   1 tsp sugar
•   60 ml light beer of your choice
•   Ice cubes

The amount of beer is important for this variant of a Dark Rum and Tequila Cocktail. It should make up about one third of the total liquid volume.

The Tequila Passion Cocktail is an equally tart and sweet cocktail that gets its special note from the passion fruit.

You need:

•   6 cl Tequila
•   6 cl Cachaça
•   9 cl fresh passion fruit juice
•   2 tsp sugar
•   Ice cubes

All ingredients of your Tequila Passion Cocktail are shaken well. Then strain the cocktail so that no passion fruit residue gets into the glass.

Chili Tequila Cocktails are an option for those who like it a little spicier and love something special.

You need these ingredients:

•   4.5 cl Tequila
•   1.5 cl Chili liqueur (ready-made or homemade)
•   120 ml Hot chocolate (from dark cocoa powder)
•   1 tsp sugar
•   freshly whipped cream

When making your Chili Tequila Cocktail, be careful not to use too much chili if you are making the liqueur yourself. It should enhance the cocktail, not dominate it.