Trending Cocktail Flavours with Espolòn Tequila: Recipes & Expert Tips

Want to know what the latest trending tequila cocktail flavours are? You’ve come to the right place! Here at The Mixer, we like to stay on trend to give you fresh and exciting ideas to impress your guests with your mixology skills.  

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create some unique tequila cocktails using Espolòn—our tequila of choice. This iconic brand is popular for its smooth, mixable taste, perfect for your next cocktail creation at home. With Espolòn, you’re not just mixing drinks; you’re shaking up unforgettable occasions—and that’s what we’re all about. 

Our top 5 trending cocktail flavours

Cocktail culture is always evolving, and, right now, a couple of flavours are leading the charge. Let’s look at five trending flavours that are making a splash in the global tequila cocktail scene right now. 

Spicy

Spicy tequila cocktails are heating up menus across the globe. Featuring ingredients like fresh jalapeños, chilli salt, and even hot sauce, these drinks deliver a kick that’s both thrilling and satisfying. The allure? They add an adventurous twist to your typical cocktail experience, keeping things lively and unpredictable.  

Discover: 14 Best Tequila Mixers (What to Mix with Tequila)

Floral

Florals bring an elegant, aromatic touch to cocktails, appealing to those who enjoy delicate, fragrant flavors. Think lavender margaritas, elderflower highballs, or hibiscus sours made with Espolòn Tequila for fresh and sophisticated drinks. Tequila mint cocktails, like a Tequila Smash, are also paving the way for sensational cocktails with a cooling touch that’s perfect for summer entertainment.  

Easy sips: 20 Easy Tequila Summer Cocktails for Beginners  

Tropical

Tropical flavours can transport you straight to a beachside paradise. Juicy favourites like pineapple, mango, and coconut are being joined by new vibrant fruits that pair beautifully with Espolòn Tequila. Whether it’s a passionfruit tequila cocktail, a watermelon tequila cocktail, or a lychee tequila cocktail, these trending tropical delights are super tasty and full of character.  

Totally tropical: 9 Pineapple and Tequila Cocktails for a Taste of Paradise   

Smoky

Smoky tequila cocktails add a new level of depth and complexity. With clever tricks like using smoky salt or smoked glassware, you can create a drink with a rich, layered taste that lingers on the palate. This smoky trend is ideal for those who enjoy bold flavours with a bit of allure in every sip. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, go ahead and try your hand at making a smoked Oaxacan Old Fashioned or a Smokey Sunrise.  

Do it like a pro: How to Add Smoke to Cocktails at Home 

Savoury

Savoury cocktails are taking a cue from the culinary world, incorporating ingredients like herbs, spices, and even vegetables. These drinks are perfect for those who appreciate a more nuanced, umami flavour profile. An aged tequila like Espolòn Tequila Reposado pairs beautifully with savoury ingredients like basil, tomato, or even peppercorns, making for a cocktail that’s packed with umami and intrigue. For something a little different at your next brunch party, we suggest mixing up Mexican Candy cocktails or Bloody Marias. 

Must-try Espolòn Tequila cocktail recipes

1. Espolòn Reposado Spicy Margarita

Ingredients 

• 30 ml Espolòn Tequila Reposado 

• 30 ml Ancho Reyes Original Chile Liqueur 

• 20 ml Fresh lime juice 

• 10 ml Agave nectar 

• Sea salt, to rim 

• Lime peel or wedge, to garnish 

• Ice 

Method  

1. Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice 
2. Shake until well combined 
3. Double strain into a rocks glass 
4. Garnish with a lime peel or wedge 
5. Serve 

2. Espolòn Paloma

Ingredients 

• 60 ml Espolòn Tequila Blanco 

• 10 ml Fresh lime juice 

• 120 ml Grapefruit soda 

• Sea salt, to rim 

• Lime wedge and grapefruit peel, to garnish 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add the tequila and lime juice to a Collins glass over ice 
2. Pour over the grapefruit soda 
3. Stir gently with a straw 
4. Serve 

3. Espolòn Añejo Old Fashioned

Ingredients 

• 60 ml Espolòn Tequila Añejo 

• 10 ml Sugar syrup 

• 2 Dashes Angostura bitters 

• Orange twist, to garnish 

• Ice 

Method 

1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice 
2. Stir until chilled 
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large block of fresh ice 
4. Garnish with an orange twist 
5. Serve 

Learn more: Your Guide to the Best Tequila for Margaritas  

4. Espolòn Ranch Water

Ingredients  

• 90 ml Espolòn Blanco Tequila  

• 45 ml Freshly squeezed lime juice  

• 120 ml Topo Chico or good quality sparkling water  

• Ice  

Method  

1. Add ice cubes to a highball glass  
2. Add the tequila and lime juice  
3. Top with Topo Chico   
4. Stir  
5. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge  
6. Serve  

5. Espolòn  Reposado Mule  

Ingredients  

• 60 ml Espolòn Reposado Tequila  

• 15 ml Freshly squeezed lime juice  

• 120 ml Ginger beer   

• Crushed ice  

• Lime wedge to garnish   

Method  

1. Add the tequila and lime juice to a copper mug or highball glass  
2. Add crushed ice   
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently   
4. Garnish with a wedge of lime   
5. Serve  

Best of both: 5 Best Cocktails with Rum and Tequila 

Express yourself! Find your favourite Espolòn Tequila

Espolòn Tequila’s versatility makes it the perfect match for all the trendy flavours we’ve explored. Each of its expressions—Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo—offers a unique profile that enhances these flavours, ready to take your cocktails to the next level.  

Tequila Blanco: unaged and perfectly balanced

Espolòn Tequila Blanco is the go-to choice for fresh, vibrant cocktails. Its crisp, clean profile, with hints of sweet agave, tropical fruit, and a touch of pepper, perfectly complements spicy, floral, and tropical drinks.  

Learn more: A Beginner’s Guide to the Different Types of Tequila  

Tequila Reposado: delicate and complex

Espolòn Tequila Reposado, aged for at least two months in American oak barrels, adds depth and richness to your cocktails. With notes of roasted agave, tropical fruit, vanilla, and warming spices, it’s a great match for smoky and savoury flavours.  

Cheers! The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Reposado Tequila Cocktails  

Tequila Añejo: elegant and refined

For those who love bold, sophisticated cocktails, Espolòn Tequila Añejo is the way to go. Aged in American oak barrels and finished in bourbon barrels, it delivers a velvety mouthfeel with notes of caramel, dried fruit, and chocolate. This makes añejo tequila the perfect base for stirred drinks that are traditionally built on a different aged spirit, e.g. an Old Fashioned or Boulevardier. 

Read next: 8 Must-Try Añejo Tequila Cocktails  

Tequila Cristalino: a unique Añejo experience

Espolòn Cristalino is the embodiment of sophistication and craftsmanship, combining the depth of Añejo with the complexity of extra Añejo. Its unique charcoal filtration process preserves the tequila’s bold flavour while giving it a clear, elegant appearance. With rich notes of caramelised agave and honey, followed by a fruity, oaky finish, Cristalino enhances smoky and savoury cocktail flavors. Its exceptionally smooth profile makes it perfect for sipping and savouring, adding a refined touch to any cocktail experience. 

Read next: What’s the Difference Between Mezcal and Tequila? 

Top tips for making perfect tequila cocktails

Crafting the perfect tequila cocktail means you’ve got to strike a balance between flavours and create a visual experience that impresses. Here are some tips to help you get it right:  

Balancing flavours

• To avoid overly sweet drinks, balance sweet elements like agave syrup or fruit juices with a splash of citrus. 

• When using spicy ingredients, offset the heat with something sweet or creamy to create a well-rounded flavour. 

• Add a touch of acidity, like lime or lemon juice, to keep floral flavours light and fresh. 

• Pair the sweetness of tropical fruits with a bit of acidity.  

• A tiny pinch of salt will enhance the flavours of pretty much any cocktail.  

More inspiration: 7 Best Coffee Tequila Cocktails to Try in 2024  

Creating visually appealing drinks

• Use fresh, vibrant garnishes like mint sprigs, citrus twists, or fruit slices to add visual appeal and aroma.  

• To make your cocktail visually appealing, incorporate colorful ingredients that stand out. 

• Choose glassware that complements the cocktail’s vibe—e.g., sturdy rocks glasses for smoky drinks and highball glasses for tropical cocktails.  
• To add an extra layer of flavour and a striking visual element, rim your glasses with spices or flavoured salts. 
• Use large, clear ice cubes to enhance the drink’s appearance and keep it chilled longer, or crushed ice if you want to create a tall, slow sipper. 

Incorporating trending cocktail flavours with Espolòn Tequila is your ticket to crafting unforgettable drinks that stand out from the crowd. From spicy to floral, smoky to tropical, Espolòn’s range of tequilas enhances every flavour, making your cocktails truly special.  

Expert insider tips

Tristram Fini, our friend from the Campari Academy UK, has shared a few valuable tips for folks who want to understand more about exploring unique tequila cocktail flavours:  

Popular tequila mixers and why they work

When it comes to mixing tequila, some combinations are just crowd-pleasers. One of the most popular choices has to be the Paloma. Everyone seems to love it! It’s a simple mix of grapefruit juice, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. 

In addition to that, you’ll often find people opting for soda water or tonic water. Tequila and tonic have really taken off in Australia over the last few years. People love it because it’s light and easy to drink. Tequila and soda are also a great alternative for anyone looking to skip the bitterness of quinine in tonic or cut down on sugar. 

These mixes are popular because they highlight the vibrant flavours of tequila while keeping things refreshing and uncomplicated.  

How tequila brands like Espolòn influence mixer choices

When it comes to choosing mixers for tequila, it really depends on whether you’re working with a blanco, reposado, or a more aged tequila like añejo. For instance, blanco tequilas like Espolòn have this vibrant, green, vegetable characteristic that’s just beautiful. If you don’t taste that in a blanco, then something might be off! 

Because of that fresh, lively profile, choose mixers that complement those flavours. Grapefruit juice is a great choice, and I’m a big fan of London Essence Company’s pineapple soda too. This soda pairs beautifully with tequila since the piña, or heart of the agave plant, has a natural affinity with pineapple. 

Tips for pairing tequila cocktails with food

If food and drinks have grown together regionally, they will automatically pair well. With tequila, you can explore options like aguachile, which is a ceviche-style dish. You can also consider different styles of tacos, such as al pastor or tacos de birria, which are vibrant regional dishes coming from Oaxaca and Puebla specifically. 

Tequila usually has an element of acidity, freshness, and potentially spice. Nicely cured seafood and grilled prawns work great, but steer clear of dishes that are too dairy-heavy. Those don’t really pair naturally with tequila. Focus on vibrant, fresh flavours that aren’t too subtle. 

Interestingly, tequila and margaritas pair wonderfully with oysters. Oysters are fatty and briny, giving them a salty characteristic. Margaritas pair well with that saltiness because salt and tequila are always going to work well together. 

Ready to elevate your cocktail game? Visit the Espolòn website to get your favourite bottle, share your creations on social media, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more tips and inspiration. Cheers to making every sip extraordinary with Espolòn Tequila!