A margarita requires fresh lime juice, triple sec, a shaker, and attention to the ratios. Tequila and Sprite require none of that. It’s tequila, lemon-lime soda, ice, and about 90 seconds of work.

It’s a softer drink than a margarita. The citrus comes from the Sprite soda rather than fresh lime, which means it’s sweeter and more approachable for those who aren’t sure they like tequila.

It’s also lighter than tequila and cola, which can feel heavy, and non-caffeinated. If you want something easy and refreshing that still tastes like tequila, this is the version to make on a weeknight when you don’t want to pull out your cocktail shaker.

The tequila

You need to use 100% agave blanco. The mineral, grassy quality of a good blanco is what makes tequila tasty, and it comes through against Sprite’s sweetness in a way that mixto tequila just can’t. Espolòn, Olmeca Altos, or Cazadores at a mid-range price point that work fine for this two-ingredient drink.

Reposado tequila is worth trying, too. The subtle vanilla and oak notes it picks up from barrel aging add a roundness that makes the combination slightly more complex.

Sprite vs. alternatives

Regular Sprite works, but Mexican Sprite or a lemon-lime sparkling water like Spindrift Lemon gives you less sweetness and more actual citrus flavor. If the drink runs too sweet with regular Sprite, squeeze in a lime wedge or go with the lemon-lime sparkling water instead.

Ratio

Try 2 oz tequila to 4 oz Sprite. This is on the sweeter side, so if you don’t want it quite so sweet, start with 3 oz Sprite and add a squeeze of lime if you want the tequila to come through more clearly.

The chili salt rim

Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip it into a mix of coarse salt and Tajín or chili powder. The heat and salt contrast with the Sprite’s sweetness, making the agave flavor in the tequila more distinct.

More details on salt and chili rims in my cocktail garnishes guide.

The 3-Ingredient Upgrade: Chili Rim Glow-Up

Add a Tajín or chili salt rim and half an ounce of fresh lime juice before topping with Sprite. The lime adds the acidity the drink needs to balance the sweetness of the soda, and the chili rim ties back to the earthiness of the tequila.

This version is close to a simplified margarita.

A citrus juicer makes the lime juice quick. A long cocktail stirrer mixes without destroying the carbonation.

Mocktail Version

Mix together Sprite with fresh lime juice and a chili salt rim. The lime adds tartness and the chili salt does the same thing it does in the cocktail version. A non-alcoholic tequila with agave character makes it more interesting because the earthy mineral notes are what this drink relies on.

Glassware

A highball glass is what most people use for this type of drink. For a shorter, stronger pour, a lowball with a big ice cube and 2 oz tequila to 2.5 oz Sprite makes a more spirit-forward drink.

I keep both highball glasses and lowball glasses at home for these types of drinks. Clear ice makes the cocktail taste better, and the ice will melt more slowly, meaning you won’t have a watered-down soda cocktail in your hand. I use a clear ice cube maker for this.

Tequila cocktails to try next:

• Prickly Pear Margarita
• Cactus Cooler Collins
• Cactus Orchard Fizz

More 2-Ingredient Tequila Cocktails:

• Paloma (Simple)
• Tequila Cola
• Tequila Lemonade
• Tequila Pineapple
• Tequila Soda
• Tequila Sprite
• Tequila Sunrise (2-Ingredient)
• Tequila Tonic
• Tequila Watermelon

Tequila and Sprite

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila (100% agave)
• 4 oz Sprite or lemon-lime soda
• Tajín or chili salt, for rim (optional)
• Lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions

1. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip in Tajín if using.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add tequila.
4. Top with Sprite and stir gently.
5. Squeeze a lime wedge over the top and drop it in.

Chili Rim Upgrade (3-Ingredient Version)

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila (100% agave)
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz Sprite
• Tajín, for rim
• Lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions

1. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip in Tajín.
2. Fill with ice.
3. Add tequila and lime juice.
4. Top with Sprite and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.