35 Tequila Cocktails To Make For Cinco De Mayo

Infusing alcohol is one of our favorite ways to get creative with cocktails, and it works especially well with jalapeños. A long steep in tequila allows the fresh verdant flavor of the pepper to come through, along with that signature spice. To balance the heat, we recommend the addition of sliced cucumber to cool things down (but don't worry, they're still plenty hot!).

Get the Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas recipe.

A sort of effervescent, less-sweet version of a margarita, only 3 ingredients are required for ranch eater: tequila, lime juice, and seltzer. (Preferably Topo Chico; some claim it’s not a real Ranch Water without it!) We like adding a splash of orange liqueur like Cointreau for a little added sweetness and citrus flavor too.

Get the Ranch Water recipe.

This clever recipe combines everything magical about margaritas (tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and a salt rim), with a kick of heat from fresh jalapeños and a refreshing sweetness from the watermelon juice. Salt accentuates watermelon's sweet taste and accentuates the tangy margarita base too. Make this for Cinco de Mayo and then all summer long.

Get the Salted & Spiced Watermelon Margaritas recipe.

The margarita, now one of the most popular cocktails in the world, is thought to have started out as the variation on another prohibition-era drink called the "Daisy." Spanish for "daisy," the marg swapped in tequila for the requisite brandy and lime juice for lemon juice, and a classic was born.

Get the Classic Margaritas recipe.

Though the margarita has become a staple of American bars, the margarita's pink-hued cousin, the Paloma, is heralded by many in Mexico as the better cocktail. It's beloved not just for its bittersweet, citrusy grapefruit flavor but also for its simplicity. Not counting ice, all you need is 4 ingredients: tequila, lime juice, salt, and grapefruit soda.

Get the Classic Paloma recipe.

To unlock the delicious concentrated flavor found in citrus skins, we made an oleo saccharum for this cocktail. Let us explain: Granulated sugar draws the flavorful essential oils out of citrus peels as they sit at room temperature. We love watching the sugar transform into a beautiful syrup, perfect for flavoring seltzer, cocktails, or desserts.

Get the Spiked Coconut Limeade recipe.

When we’re feeling the beach vibes, we reach for a pineapple margarita. Fresh and fruity with the perfect kick of tequila, this margarita will take you straight to the shore, frosty glass in hand, in less time than it takes to squeeze those limes.

Get the Pineapple Margarita recipe.

Nothing says summer like pomegranate and grapefruit... and tequila! This super-yummy, fruity Paloma slush gets a kick thanks to spicy chili powder-salt rim. Garnish with fresh ruby red grapefruit wedges for a presentation that’ll prove to your neighbors you’re this summer’s backyard party master.

Get the Frozen Paloma recipe.

PSA: You don't have to be on vacation to enjoy a tequila sunrise. These orange juice, grenadine, and vodka sippers are great any time!

Get the Tequila Sunrise recipe.

This fruit-forward margarita works best with frozen strawberries, so it doesn't get watered down! We love adding fresh basil for some sweet anise-y flavor, but other fresh herbs like mint or even cilantro can kick up the flavor of this sunny cocktail.

Get the Frozen Strawberry Margarita recipe.

Those who love mezcal really love mezcal, and we think this refreshing cocktail is one of the best ways to enjoy this unique spirit. With an earthy, slightly smoky flavor, mezcal brings a uniquely savory quality to the typically tequila-based margarita. To spice things up, we add a colorful salt rim spiked with grapefruit zest and red pepper flakes. Tweak the mixture to your preference with different citrus (orange would also be delicious!) or other spices.

Get the Mezcal Margarita recipe.

This recipe requires a little forethought. Chop up some fresh watermelon and throw it in the freezer the night before you make the margs—this ensures the drinks are perfectly slushy and ICE cold. (If you forgot, don't fret! Two hours in the freezer should do the trick.)

Get the Frozen Watermelon Margarita recipe.

Margaritas are pretty slimmed down (or “skinny”) already, ingredients-wise, so all we’re doing here is removing some of the refined sugar and replacing it with more natural ingredients. Because orange liqueurs like Cointreau or triple sec are traditionally used to add sweetness and a little extra citrus flavor to a margarita, we’re going with orange juice (fresh is best) and agave instead. This means not only are these “skinny margs” lower in calories, they’ve also got slightly less alcohol (meaning you can enjoy more of them 😉). Win win!

Get the Skinny Margarita recipe.

We're suckers for any tequila cocktail, but this recipe might get us more excited than a margarita, which says A LOT. If you wish a tequila sunrise was more tart than sweet, you'll love this Tequila Sunset (which uses grapefruit juice for the traditional orange juice). We love the grenadine for color, but if you don't have on hand skip it—the flavor still works.

Get the Tequila Sunset recipe.

A classic bubbly mimosa + a sweet tart margarita—there might not be a more perfect brunch cocktail.

Get the Mimosa Margarita recipe.

Like a margarita with a softer, cuter side, the Señorita ditches limes for pink lemonade and lemon juice.

Get the Pink Señoritas recipe.

There are a bunch of ways to infuse a drink with fruit like steeping some actual fruit in the alcohol itself or making a syrup out of berries or fruit juice. In this case, we have packed peachy goodness into this margarita with two ingredients: peach schnapps and peach puree.

Get the Peach Margarita recipe.

Sunrise and shine with this mash-up that's sure to be your new favorite with all kinds of brunch recipes.

Get the Tequila Sunrise Mimosa recipe.

A Cadillac margarita is basically a higher-end margarita made with a high-quality tequila (typically a reposado) and Grand Marnier. Reposado tequila will have notes of oak and vanilla, making this margarita really stand out.

Get the Cadillac Margarita recipe.

A classic bulldog margarita, or a Mexican coronita, is a simple drink made from flipping a beer into a frozen margarita. Corona beer is traditional, but try it with your favorite Mexican beer too.

Get the Bulldog Margaritas recipe.