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Spirits

Tequila

  • Spirit
  • 40% ABV
  • 31 drinks

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You enjoy agave-forward, earthy or smoky character.
  • ✓There are 31 drinks on WhatDrink using this.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer neutral or sweeter spirits.

At a Glance

69 kcalCalories
40%ABV
0gSugar
0gCarbs
SpiritType
31Recipes

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

What is Tequila?

Tequila is an agave spirit used in Margaritas, Palomas, sours, highballs, spicy drinks and tropical cocktails. It brings agave character, brightness and structure to citrus, fruit, salt and sparkling mixers.

What does Tequila taste like?

Agave-forward, earthy and lightly sweet, with citrus, pepper, mineral or herbal notes depending on style. Tequila pairs with lime, grapefruit, orange liqueur, pineapple, agave nectar, chili, cucumber and soda water.

Tequila profile

Mixability: HighIntensity: BoldBalancedBeginner-friendly: High

Best used for: margaritas, palomas, spicy drinks, sours

  • Appears in 31 recipes
  • Has 4 common substitutes
  • High-strength spirit (40% ABV)

Ways to use tequila

Cocktails (24)Shots (4)Punches (3)

Tequila is an agave spirit used in Margaritas, Palomas, sours, highballs, spicy drinks and tropical cocktails. It brings agave character, brightness and structure to citrus, fruit, salt and sparkling mixers.

Flavour profile

AgaveCitrusEarthyPeppery

Recipes using this

Observed quantities

Observed in single-serve recipes: middle half 36.97–59.15 ml; median 49.29 ml.

In the measured recipes in this dataset — from 23 observed uses.

Scoped nutrition

Calories (per 100 ml)
230
Sugar (per 100 ml)
0 g
Carbs (per 100 ml)
0 g

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

Diet compatibility

  • Gluten-FreeCompatible
  • KetoCompatible
  • Low-CarbCompatible
  • Low-SugarCompatible
  • VeganCompatible
  • VegetarianCompatible

Based on the listed ingredient only — a public recipe facet, not medical, allergy or coeliac advice. Specific brands and preparation can change compatibility.

Commonly observed with

GrenadineLime Juice

Observed co-use in the reviewed recipe corpus — not a universal pairing recommendation.

Trust & methodology

Canonical ingredient/component authority assembled from reviewed identity, recipe, flavour, nutrition, diet and substitution evidence. Observed quantities and co-use patterns are descriptive, not prescriptions or universal recommendations.

Evidence last updated: 2026-07-16T03:30:39.066659+00:00

What it is

What is tequila?

Tequila is an agave spirit with flavors that can range from bright and peppery to earthy, vegetal or softly sweet. In cocktails, it often gives a sharper and more distinctive base than neutral spirits.

How it's used

How tequila is used in drinks

Tequila works especially well with lime, grapefruit, orange liqueur, salt and chilli-style flavors. It is a strong choice for citrus drinks, refreshing highballs and food-friendly cocktails.

Pairing logic

What tequila pairs with

Tequila often pairs well with spicy food, tacos, grilled flavors and citrus-led dishes because acidity and salt can make agave flavors feel brighter. Sweeter mixers should be used carefully so they do not hide the spirit.

About this drink

Tequila is a Mexican agave spirit strongly associated with Jalisco and protected production rules. In cocktails, that history matters because true tequila brings cooked agave character, not just generic alcohol strength.

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.

Tequila — common questions

How many cocktails are made with Tequila?
There are 31 cocktail recipes featuring Tequila in the WhatDrink database.
What are the most popular cocktails made with Tequila?
Top-ranked cocktails made with Tequila include Tequila Fizz, Tequila Slammer, Tequila Sour. Rankings are based on recipe quality and data completeness.
What is the ABV of Tequila?
Tequila has an ABV of approximately 40%. The exact strength varies by brand and expression.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Intensity (light to bold), Sweetness (dry to sweet), Mixability (how versatile it is in cocktails) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare Tequila with similar ingredients at a glance.
How do I use the Tequila sensory profile to find drinks I like?
If you enjoy the intensity and flavour profile of Tequila, look for other ingredients or cocktails with a similar profile. Compare Intensity, Sweetness and Mixability to find substitutes or discover new cocktails in the same flavour family.