It's understandable if you don't immediately associate tequila with wintertime. Tequila is typically associated with spring and summer, but winter tequila drinks are a whole new way to shake up new cocktails and get out of the winter drink rut. So whether you opt for winter cocktails with tequila or need to get some heat with warm tequila drinks, there's a recipe for anyone.
Summer's Coffee
A coffee recipe for those winter blues when you can't wait for longer days and warmer nights, and a nice reminder that coffee cocktails aren't just for whiskey.
Ingredients
- Hot water
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce Irish cream
- Hot coffee to top off
- Whipped cream and three whole coffee beans to garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In warm mug, add tequila and Irish cream.
- Top off with freshly brewed coffee.
- Garnish with whipped cream and coffee beans.
Spiced Hot Chocolate
If you're searching for a warm tequila drink that won't keep you up all night, this hot chocolate will warm you up threefold while you get cozy for bed.
Ingredients
- Hot water
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ½ ounce Ancho Reyes
- Hot chocolate
- Whipped cream to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In warm mug, add tequila and Ancho Reyes.
- Top off with hot chocolate.
- Garnish with whipped cream.
Winter's Bitter Negroni
A spin on the classic negroni, this bitter cocktail is given a winter spin with tequila for a new look at an old friend.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce blanco tequila
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounce cranberry juice
- Ice and king cube
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, tequila, Campari, sweet vermouth, and cranberry juice.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
- Garnish with orange twist.
Tequila Toddy
The typical hot toddy is made with whiskey, and occasionally rum, but there's no reason tequila should be left out of this classic winter cocktail.
Ingredients
- Hot water
- 1½ ounces blanco tequila
- ½ ounce limoncello
- ½ ounce honey
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Hot water to top off
- Lemon wheel, whole cloves, star anise, and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In the mug, add tequila, limoncello, honey, and lemon juice.
- Stir to combine well.
- To prepare garnish, pierce lemon slice with cloves.
- Garnish with pierced lemon wheel, star anise, and cinnamon stick.
Smokey Baked Apple
Pivoting away from silver tequila, the smokey flavors of mezcal elevate the typical mulled apple cider to a whole new level.
Ingredients
- Hot water
- 2 ounces mezcal
- ¾ ounce allspice dram
- Warm apple cider to top off
- Cinnamon stick to garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over low heat, add 6-8 ounces apple cider.
- Heat until warm.
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In warm mug, add mezcal and allspice dram.
- Top off with warm apple cider.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Mid-Winter's Tale
If you're eyeing the calendar, willing the arrival of spring, this cocktail is a reminder of summer while emphasizing the flavors of winter.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces silver tequila
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Rosemary sprig, orange peel, and peeled orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, orange liqueur, and rosemary simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig, orange peel, and peeled orange.
An Old-Fashioned Starry Winter Night
The old-fashioned isn't just for bourbon, enjoy an herbaceous winter riff that puts tequila in the spotlight.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces añejo tequila
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ¼ ounce allspice dram
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 3 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Whole star anise and dehydrated orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, añejo tequila, simple syrup, allspice dram, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
- Garnish with star anise and dehydrated orange wheel.
Fuzzy Red Stockings
The winter season is stacked with celebrations and parties. Enjoy this fizzy libation as you make your way through the room.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce cinnamon schnapps or cinnamon simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and cinnamon schnapps.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into cocktail or rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
Frostbite Martini
It's a little-known fact, but tequila pairs incredibly well with a bay window and falling snow. Shake up this martini whether you're on your first or twentieth snowstorm.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces coconut tequila
- ¾ ounce blue curaçao
- ½ ounce vanilla simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, coconut tequila, blue curaçao, vanilla simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with orange peel.
Mid-Winter Margarita
Don't spend one more minute thinking you can't enjoy a margarita in the winter without those cold-weather flavors. Opt for mezcal if you want a smokier version.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and salt for rim
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce grapefruit juice
- ¾ ounce pomegranate juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the salt to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, juices, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with grapefruit wedge.
Blood Orange Margarita
This colorful margarita fits in perfectly with the holiday decorations, a drink that fits right in whether you're just starting to decorate or you're enjoying the company of family and friends.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and salt for rim
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 2 ounces blood orange juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce agave
- Ice
- Blood orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the salt on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the salt to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, blood orange juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with blood orange wedge.
Snowstorm Martini
This white martini perfectly matches the snow you're dodging on the other side of the window. Enjoy while the plows are running around, or maybe while you're imagining the possibility of snowfall.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce coconut milk
- ½ ounce almond liqueur
- ½ ounce vanilla liqueur
- Ice
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, coconut milk, almond liqueur, and vanilla liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with sprinkled ground cinnamon.
Fireside Martini
Whether or not snow is a possibility for you, sometimes the weather is cold enough to need a little boost for warmth. Enjoy this martini fireside while you warm up twofold.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounces blanco tequila
- ¾ ounce brown crème de cacao
- ¾ ounce hazelnut liqueur
- ¼ ounce coffee liqueur
- Ice
- Three whole coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, crème de cacao, hazelnut liqueur, and coffee liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with three whole coffee beans.
One Snowflake, Two Snowflake, Three Snowflake, Storm
Winter drinks don't need to be the standard bourbon and vodka or just warm and mulled drinks. Tequila is as much a star in the winter as it is in the summer. You can mix up your cocktails with infused tequila, as well. Winter tequila drinks are a great way to quickly warm up and share an afternoon with friends and family as the snow swirls on around you.
