Over the years, we’ve tried a lot of great tailgating cocktails. However, some of our favorites feature tequila. As a result, we now consider a good bottle of tequila one of the most important tailgating essentials. So in honor of this delicious agave-based beverage from South of the border, we’ve decided to do a roundup of our favorite tequila cocktails for tailgating. Grab the salt and the lime and let’s get started!
Kickoff with Mexico: 9 Tequila Cocktails for Tailgating Fun
1. Classic Margarita
At the top of our tailgating essentials cocktails list is the arguably the best tequila cocktail, the classic margarita. However, you can always mix it up by adding some extra ingredients.
Had enough with this seemingly never-ending winter? Looking for something to toast to this weekend? Well, turn up your thermostat and your favorite beach playlist because you’re it luck. Here is a classic Margarita recipe that will lull you into thinking it is warm and beautiful outside.
MARGARITA
Ingredients
- 2 Parts Tequila
- 1 Part Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/2 Part Agave Nectar
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in shaker with ice, and shake vigorously.
- Fine strain over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Traditionally made with tequila, triple sec and lime juice, the Margarita is one of the nation’s most popular mixed drinks, and are one of the most versatile drinks around – frozen, on the rocks, with salt, flavored, you name it. If you’re looking for something different this year, experiment using different flavored liqueurs, fruit flavors and even beer to enrich the beauty of the drink!
2. No Big Dill
We love a Thursday night football game. They really help us unwind after work. It’s even better with a delicious tequila cocktail like the No Big Dill.
I think tequila works well for Thursdays. So it is our spirit of the week. In honor of Tequila Thursday, check out our recipe for No Big Dill.
NO BIG DILL
Ingredients
- 2 Parts Sauza® 901® Tequila
- 1 Part Lemon Juice
- 4 Cucumber Rounds, Quartered
- Fresh Dill
- Splash Agave Syrup
- Splash Soda Water Or Tonic
Instructions
- In a tall glass smash cucumbers and dill leaves pulled from stem.
- Introduce Sauza® 901® Tequila, lemon juice and agave syrup.
- Add ice and give thorough stir with swizzle stick.
- Garnish with fresh dill and cucumber round.
The No Big Dill is a light, fresh tequila that is perfect for unwinding after a long day at work while watching a football game. Made with tequila, cucumber, and dill, this refreshing drink will soon become one of your tailgating essentials cocktails.
3. Mexican Julep
We love a mint julep, but sometimes we’re just not in the mood for whiskey. On those days, a Mexican Julep will do the trick nicely.
Mexican Julep
Ingredients
- 3 Parts Sauza® 901® Tequila
- 1 Part Agave Syrup
- 1 Barspoon Water
- 5 Sprigs Fresh Mint
Instructions
- Muddle 4 mint sprigs in pewter mug. Add agave syrup and a barspoon of water. Fill with crushed ice. Add Sauza® 901®, stir well. Add more crushed ice. Garnish your Julepwith a fresh mint sprig.
What to do when the same old Mint Julep just won’t cut it on Derby Day?! Swap tequila for bourbon and make it a Mexican Julep! Voila! Problem solved. We turned to www.thecocktailproject.com for a great recipe to serve at your Kentucky Derby-watching, next Cinco de Mayo celebration, or anytime at parties and tailgates! Enjoy our other Derby-ready recipes too!
4. Bloody Marias
There is nothing better than getting to a tailgate and whipping up a Bloody Mary. That is unless you are a tequila fan. Then there is nothing better than a Bloody Maria.
STUBB’S BLOODY MARIA
Equipment
- Shaker
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Oz Silver Tequila
- 1/2 Oz Employee's Only Grenadine
- 1 Tsp Stubb's Bar-B-Q Spice Rub
- 4 Oz Blood Mary Mix (spicy is recommended)
- Lime Wedges (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a tall glass, add all ingredients. Fill glass with ice. Roll mix once back and forth between another glass. Spritz one lime wedge into the glass and use as garnish.
Notes
Looking for a new twist on a tried and true brunch beverage for your tailgates and bowl-watching parties? Check out this spicy goodness from our friends at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q.
5. Gronk On The Rocks
Rob Gronkowski is a blast to watch. He’s always been a crowd favorite even if you aren’t rooting for the Buccaneers this season. So of course we had to feature a cocktail named after this superstar.
GRONK ON THE ROCKS
Ingredients
- 2 Oz Blanco tequila such as Jose Cuervo 1800
- 4 Oz Sierra Mist or Sprite
- 1/2 Oz Blue Curacao
- 1/2 Oz Chambord
Instructions
- Mix in the appropriate glass, or shake in a mixer tequila and Sierra Mist or Sprite, strain and pour over ice, or strain into shot glasses for shots, splash of blue Curacao, splash of Chambord. You may try to layer this drink if you like, but it really just doesn’t matter because it is truly unstoppable… just like THE GRONK.
It ain’t no BIG surprise….An amazingly HUGE concoction, so nimble and versatile that it could dance circles around you or perhaps even straight DUMPTRUCK you and your evening. So proceed with GREAT caution if you are planning to attempt to TACKLE this GARGANTUAN refreshment. The ‘Rob Roy’ has been replaced with…The GRONK!
6. Smoky Paloma
The Smoky Paloma is a unique twist on the classic Paloma cocktail, combining the bold flavors of 901 Tequila, grapefruit juice, agave syrup, and chipotle peppers, topped with IPA ale. Perfect for tailgating, this tequila drink offers a smoky, spicy kick that pairs well with game day snacks. Garnish with a skewered chipotle pepper for an extra touch of flair.
Smoky Paloma
Ingredients
- 901 Tequila
- 1 Part Grapefruit Juice
- 1/2 Part Agave Syrup
- 2 Chipotle Peppers
- IPA Style Ale
Instructions
- Muddle one chipotle pepper with agave syrup and grapefruit juice in mixing glass. Add 901® Tequila and shake vigorously over ice. Strain into collins glass filled with ice. Top off with IPA Ale. Garnish with skewered chipotle pepper.
7. Tequila Bay Breeze
The Tequila Bay Breeze is a refreshing summer cocktail featuring equal parts Sauza 901 Tequila, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. Easy to make in just three steps, this fruity drink is perfect for relaxing summer nights or lively tailgating events. Serve over ice in a highball glass and garnish with a pineapple spear for a tropical touch.
Tequila Bay Breeze
Ingredients
- 1 part Sauza® 901® Tequila
- 1 part pineapple juice
- 1 part cranberry juice
- Pineapple spear optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and stir well.
- Serve over ice in highball glass.
- Garnish with pineapple spear.
8. Slam Dunk Cocktail
The Slam Dunk Cocktail is perfect for March Madness celebrations! Simply combine sherbet, orange juice concentrate, ginger ale, tequila, and orange liqueur in a punch bowl, garnish with orange slices, and enjoy! This cocktail is truly a slam dunk in flavor and presentation, making it a hit at any tailgating party.
Slam Dunk Cocktail
Equipment
- A large punch bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups tequila
- 1 cup orange liqueur
- 1/2 gallon orange sherbert
- 6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
- 2 liters ginger ale
- orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Place the sherbert and frozen orange juice concentrate in a large punch bowl. Allow them to thaw for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stir in the ginger ale, tequila, and orange liqueur. Garnish with orange slices and ladel into glasses. Enjoy!
9. Sierra Madre Sunrise
The Sierra Madre Sunrise is a smoky twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise, featuring mezcal, Aperol, lemon juice, Angostura bitters, and club soda. Its refreshing clear pour makes it perfect for warm days, while its hearty quality suits cooler evenings. This versatile cocktail is a slam dunk for any season or gathering.
insidetailgating.com
Not a Tequila Sunrise: Sierra Madre Sunrise (Mezcal Alt)
I wanted to have a Tequila Sunrise, but I wondered if subbing in Mezcal for the tequila might work well. And it does! Get our Sierra Madre Sunrise recipe here!…
One Of The Most Important Tailgating Essentials: The Margaritaville Margarita Maker
You cannot talk about tailgating tequila cocktails, without talking about a tailgating essentials tool. The Margaritaville is the perfect margarita maker for all your homegating and tailgating needs. It makes delicious margs with little effort.
There’s no concert tailgate quite like a Jimmy Buffett gig. And with seven June dates on the Buffett tour, chances are that you can drive to one of these parties that turn parking lots into Margaritaville. If you want to be the Parrot Head of the party, the following tremendously- named device is sure to bring smiles to all of your tailgate partygoers — Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker
As the name says, this powerful device is not just for frozen margaritas, although that is surely the beverage of choice. In addition of having the ability to make a medley of frozen beverages, what really separates this from a run-of-the-mill blender is that is actually shaves the ice and blends the ingredients instead of just watering down a drink with chunks of ice.
Reasons for the inflated price tag are because of its stainless steel finish and the fact that the box includes extras such as a shot glass, coasters and a cool recipe book. The pre-programmed settings also make it easier to concoct a proper drink instead of beverage that has the alcoholic kick of a child’s freeze pop.
These delicious cocktails highlight why we consider tequila one of our tailgating essentials. Not a big tequila fan? No worries! At Inside Tailgating we don’t discriminate when it comes to spirits. Whether you prefer tequila, whiskey, vodka, or something else, we have you covered. Let us know which is your favorite by leaving your answer in the comments or by tagging us on social media. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Cheers!!
