When it comes to summery, refreshing cocktails it’s pretty difficult to beat the appeal of a well-made Margarita. And no, not the frozen, overly sweet, heavily boozy version you find at chain restaurants. A great Margarita is simple, lightly tart, gently sweet, and features a great tequila for its base. The agave-based Mexican spirit is accompanied by freshly-squeezed lime juice and triple sec. You can add some extra sweetness with simple syrup, but don’t mess with it too much. If you enjoy salt on the rim, nobody should tell you not to. Just don’t get too crazy with it. It’s a perfect warm-weather cocktail.
But, if you’re a cocktail fan, you’re probably going to want to mix it up and try something else every once in a while, so you don’t get sick of this iconic drink. Lucky for you, there are myriad other cocktails well-suited for fans of the classic Margarita. And they aren’t just tequila-based drinks. There are citrus-centric drinks made with gin, whiskey, rum, and even Cachaça perfect for you. Keep scrolling to see ten of the best.
Daiquiri
If your biggest reason (besides the tequila itself) is the refreshing lime flavor of the Margarita, you’re going to love a classic daiquiri. Just as a little background, this is definitely not the frozen, cloyingly sweet version. This is the simple, elegant classic daiquiri consisting of white rum, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice.
Daiquiri Recipe:
- 1.5 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- .5 ounces simple syrup
Preparation: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and enjoy.
Mexican Mule
You’re probably well aware of the traditional vodka-based Moscow mule and you can go this route if you prefer. But if you still want to stick to tequila, there’s always the Mexican mule. This drink is simple to make with only a handful of ingredients including your favorite tequila (reposado works best), simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and of course ginger beer. It’s citrusy, spicy, and perfect on a hot day.
Mexican Mule Recipe:
- 2 ounces tequila (reposado is a good choice)
- .5 ounces fresh lime juice
- .5 ounces simple syrup
- 3 ounces ginger beer
Preparation: Pour tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup into a glass (or Moscow Mule mug) and stir. Add ice and top with ginger beer.
Salty Dog
The greyhound is a classic cocktail with its genesis back in the early 1900s. The salty dog is a version of the iconic drink, and you’ll know why soon. Made with gin or vodka as well as fresh grapefruit juice, it gets its name because (like your favorite Margarita) this drink has a salted rim. Salty, tart, refreshing, and well-suited for summer drinking.
Salty Dog Recipe:
- 1.5 ounces vodka or gin
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- Salted rim
Preparation: Dip the wet rim of a cocktail or highball glass in coarse salt. Add ice to the glass, then your spirit of choice, and fresh grapefruit juice. Stir lightly until it combines.
Caipirinha
If you’re a fan of the Margarita and you’ve never tried a Caipirinha, you’re really missing out. The national drink of Brazil is made with Cachaça (a sugarcane-based spirit similar to rum), sugar, and lime wedges. It’s similar, but funkier and more refreshing than a mojito (without the mint).
Caipirinha Recipe:
- 2 ounces Cachaça
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 lime cut into wedges
Preparation: In a rocks glass, muddle sugar and lime wedges. Add ice and Cachaça and gently stir. Enjoy.
Ranch Water
While its origin story is a bit of a mystery, it’s believed that this highly refreshing summer cocktail was first created on a Texas ranch in the 1960s. For those new to this warm-weather drink, it consists of blanco tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water (the classic recipe uses Topo Chico).
Ranch Water Recipe:
- 3 ounces blanco tequila
- 1.5 ounces fresh lime juice
- Topper of sparkling water
Preparation: Fill rocks or highball glass with ice. Add blanco tequila and fresh lime juice. Top with sparkling water.
Gin Gimlet
The gin gimlet first appeared back in the 1920s as a drink that consisted of gin and just a tiny hint of lime. It was like the equivalent of drinking gin straight with a splash of lime and calling it a cocktail. Luckily, today it’s a little more elaborate, consisting of gin and sweetened lime juice (some recipes add simple syrup). Simple, refreshing, and perfect for Margarita fans.
Gin Gimlet Recipe:
- 2.5 ounces gin
- .5 ounces lime juice
- .5 ounces simple syrup
Preparation: Add lime juice, gin, and simple syrups to a shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Paloma
If you’re a Margarita fan, you probably also enjoy a tart, refreshing paloma as well. Made with tequila and grapefruit soda (some recipes also add lime juice), it’s a simple, summery cocktail that can be whipped up in seconds and enjoyed all day long.
Paloma Recipe:
- 2 ounces tequila
- .5 ounces fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces grapefruit soda
Preparation: Add ice to a highball glass. Pour grapefruit soda, tequila, and lime juice into it. Gently stir and enjoy.
Whiskey Sour
The whiskey sour is a truly classic cocktail and one that certainly appeals to Margarita fans looking for a change of pace. This bourbon-based drink is also made with lemon juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters (some recipes add an egg white as well.
Whiskey Sour Recipe:
- 2 ounces bourbon (or your favorite whiskey)
- .75 ounces fresh lemon juice
- .5 ounces simple syrup
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Preparation: Add whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker. Shake thoroughly without any ice. Shake again, this time with ice. Strain into a coupe glass. Add a few dashes of bitters.
