10 Things to Mix With Tequila: Grapefruit, Fernet Branca, & More

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Are you having Tequila Tuesday all week long now that the world’s in freefall for 2020? That’s okay! Do whatever works to cope with life. But you’re doing it wrong if you’re only drinking tequila as a shot or in a margarita. Like most liquors and spirits, tequila has come a long way since the aughts. Distillers take care and pride with their product–so long as it doesn’t come in a plastic bottle. Tequila can be either fun or fancy, depending on your mood. Here are the 10 best ways to mix tequila at home.

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Paloma

Tequila and grapefruit are delicious when they are mixed together. You can make it either with grapefruit soda (so easy) or with fresh grapefruit juice and club soda (so healthy).

2 ounces blanco tequila.
½ ounce lime juice.
½ ounce agave syrup.
2 ounces grapefruit juice (or 4 ounces grapefruit soda)
2 ounces club soda (eliminate if you use grapefruit soda).

Mix the first three ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into a collins glass filled with ice and either grapefruit juice or soda. Rim the collins glass with salt for the most authentic way to serve it.

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Cadillac Margarita

While most “top shelf” cocktails deserve an eye-roll, this one is worth the extra cash to stock your home bar with some versatile and delicious spirits.

2 ounces reposado tequila.
1 ounce Cointreau.
1 ounce lime juice.
1 ounce Grand Marnier.

Mix the first three ingredients in a shaker and shake with ice—strain the tequila into a chilled margarita glass with a salt rim. Carefully pour the Grand Marnier over a spoon’s back to “float” it on top of the cocktail.

The Guadalajara Cocktail

For something a little different and a lot bold, try this herbaceous tequila cocktail mixed with Italian digestif Fernet Branca. It’s not for the faint of heart, but lovers of the bitter/sweet combination will adore it.

2 ounces reposado tequila.
½ ounce Fernet Branca.
½ ounce agave syrup.
2 dashes mole bitters.

In a mixing glass, stir all the ingredients together with ice—strain into a chilled martini glass.

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

Invented by the modern-era speakeasy Death & Co. this is a tequila twist on a classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned.

2 ounces reposado or anejo tequila.
½ ounce mezcal.
1 teaspoon agave syrup.
1 dash Angostura bitters.

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir to chill and dilute the drink. Strain it into a rocks glass, either chilled or with a big ice cube.

Distrito Federal

You can have your tequila bold and spirit-forward in this Manhattan adaption.

2 ounces reposado or anejo tequila.
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes mole bitters.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir to chill and dilute. Pour over a big ice cube in a rocks glass.

La Rosita

2019 was the year of the Negroni, and we’re forecasting that the La Rosita is about to be crowned its successor.

1 ½ ounce tequila reposado.
½ ounce dry vermouth.
½ ounce sweet vermouth.
½ ounce Campari.

Stir all drinks in a mixing glass with ice—strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with an orange slice.

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Tequila Collins

Almost like a Tom Collins, but for Tequila Tuesdays. It’s a refreshing low-sugar sipper, perfect for late-summer afternoons.

2 ounces blanco tequila.
1 ounce lemon juice.
1 ounce agave syrup.
4 ounces club soda.

Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into an ice-filled collins glass and top with club soda.

Brave Bull

A Black Russian with a little something extra.

2 ounces any kind of tequila.
1 ounce Kahlua.

Combine both ingredients in a rocks glass filled with ice and stir to chill and dilute. Garnish with an orange slice.

El Diablo

Creme de Cassis doesn’t get enough love from home bars. It’s a complex liqueur, perfect for adding mystery and depth to a cocktail.

2 ounces reposado tequila.
½ ounce Creme de Cassis.
¾ ounce lime juice.
2 ounces ginger beer.

Shake up tequila, Creme de Cassis, and lime juice with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a collins glass with ginger beer–stir gently to mix.

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Chimayo Cocktail

Since you already went out and bought a bottle of Creme de Cassis for the El Diablo, here’s a perfect fall cocktail to follow up that refreshing sipper.