I Love a Good Margarita, But These 8 Cocktails Are Better

There’s something great about the idea of putting the kids to bed and finally getting a moment to yourself. Or hiring a sitter to watch the kids while you enjoy a summer party with friends. The only thing that can make these moments better is a refreshing adult beverage. For years, my go-to was a good margarita. There was nothing quite as refreshing.

However, over time, I’ve started branching out, and I’ve discovered many new favorites. From the drinks we’ve known for years, like tequila sunrise and the whiskey sour, to more unique offerings, like the frozen Rosalita, there’s a lot to love. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite beverages and recipes that you can follow at home.

Tequila Sunrise

The first drink that competes with a good margarita is tequila sunrise. You’ve likely heard of this popular drink that is often ordered in nightclubs. It typically includes orange juice, tequila, and grenadine. The colors pop, and the taste is even better. This is a great cocktail for a summer party or a night on the town. Just don’t go overboard on the tequila.

How to Make It

Many tequila sunrise recipes follow the same logic. They’re really quite simple. Gather 1 1/2 ounces of tequila, 3/4 cup of orange juice, and 3/4 ounces of grenadine syrup. Get a highball glass, then add ice, orange juice, and tequila. Then, slowly pour the grenadine down the side of the glass. Finally, add a nice garnish. We recommend a maraschino cherry or orange slice.

Paloma

If you want something similar to a good margarita, consider the Paloma, which is a unique take on the Mexican cocktail. This one gets its iconic flavor from the inclusion of grapefruit-flavored soda. Anything from Squirt to Fresca to Jarritos will do. Many people choose to elevate the drink by adding salt around the rim of the glass.

How to Make It

The ingredients necessary to make a refreshing Paloma include your choice of grapefruit soda, a squeeze of lime, some tequila, agave nectar to add a bit of sweetness, and some sparkling water to keep the drink from getting too strong. Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until frosty. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Frozen Rosalita

This tasty cocktail uses bittersweet amaro to provide its signature taste. After you prepare this drink, you chill it in the freezer for three hours and it comes out perfectly. This is a great beverage for a summer party with friends.

How to Make It

The frozen Rosalita is tasty and easy to make. The ingredients include 3/4 oz agave nectar, 4 oz tequila reposado, 1 1/2 oz fresh lime juice, 1/2 tsp Morton kosher salt, and 1 oz Amaro Montenegro. Mix it together. Add a lime wedge for garnish.

Daiquiri

Another drink in competition with a good margarita is the classic daiquiri. Make this drink just right, and you’ll still get the refreshing lime flavor you’ve been looking for. You can have it frozen or just chilled. Either way, you’ll be satisfied. It’s also very easy to make so you’ll be enjoying it in no time.

How to Make It

The simple daiquiri can be made with 1.5 ounces of white rum, half an ounce of simple syrup, and one ounce of lime juice. Add everything into an ice-filled shaker. Shake it thoroughly for at least 30 seconds. Then, pour it into a chilled cocktail glass and sip casually. Invite your friends and make it an event. 

Ranch Water

This is the ideal summer cocktail that’s tasty and remarkably easy to make. The origins of this cocktail go back to the 1960s. It was created in Texas but you can enjoy the drink wherever you find yourself. This is a great cocktail for a hot day.

How to Make It

The ranch water cocktail is easy to make. All you need is three ounces of Blanco tequila, 1.5 ounces of lime juice, and a bit of sparkling water. Fill a highball glass with ice, then add the tequila and lime juice. Then top it off with the sparkling water. You’ll be enjoying the drink in record time.

Whiskey Sour

For a nice change of pace, go for the traditional whiskey sour. This is one of the classic cocktails that people often enjoy during a summer picnic or out at the nightclub. It’s a bourbon-based drink that brings a little something new to the table.

How to Make It

You’ll need a few more ingredients for the whiskey sour, but it’s worth the effort. To start, gather 2 ounces of bourbon, .75 ounces of lemon juice, half an ounce of simple syrup, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Simply add the lemon juice, syrup, and whiskey to a shaker. Shake the liquids together. Then, shake it again with ice. Finally, strain it into a glass then add a few dashes of bitters.

Mexican Mule

The Mexican mule is like another popular drink, the Moscow mule. However, instead of vodka, you go with tequila, so it’s more like a margarita. Using a handful of ingredients, you can create a deliciously tasty drink. Best of all, you can use your preferred tequila to make this drink all your own.

How to Make It

Here’s how you make a Mexican mule. Take 2 ounces of your preferred tequila, half an ounce of lime juice, half an ounce of simple syrup, and three ounces of ginger beer. Pour everything except the ginger beer into a glass, stir, and then top it off with ice and the ginger beer. Add a grapefruit wedge for garnish.

Salty Dog

Finally, if you want a beverage that’s like a good margarita, consider the aptly named salty dog. First served in the early 1900s, this iconic drink contains your preferred gin or vodka and grapefruit juice. The drink really gets its name due to the salty rim. This is the quintessential summer drink.

How to Make It

Here’s how to make a good salty dog. All you need to do is combine 1.5 ounces of gin or vodka and three ounces of fresh grapefruit juice. First, dip the wet rim of your glass in a course salt. Then, add ice to the glass. Stir the beverage lightly, and then enjoy.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Fudio / iStock via Getty Images.