Tequila and mezcal are wildly underrated for home bartending. Most people think margarita and call it a day, but these agave spirits work with way more flavors than you’d expect.
Tequila brings clean, bright notes that pair with citrus and fruit, while mezcal adds that smoky depth that makes cocktail recipes taste more complex without extra work. I keep both on hand because they fill completely different roles in my bar.
The key to good tequila cocktails is using 100% agave tequila (skip the mixto stuff). These spirits work across seasons, too. You can make bright summer cocktails with fresh lime and herbs, or warming autumn cocktails with apple cider and cinnamon. Either way, you’re getting way more interesting drinks than another basic margarita with sugary mix.
NOTE: I’m actually allergic to tequila, so while I do make drinks featuring this alcohol, I can only sample it in very small quantities. It’s tragic, because I love it, but my body does not. My loving husband has taken on the task of being my taste-tester, as he loves mezcal and a good tequila. So if you try a drink he approves, but you don’t like it, well, blame him, not me.