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    Home » Tequila Cocktails

    Jun 10, 2023 · Modified: Jun 18, 2023 by Kristin. This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Tequila on the Rocks

    Jump to Recipe

    Looking for a classic sipper? Sit down and experience the tequila on the rocks. It really lets the pure essence of tequila shine through as it’s chilled through the ice, creating a drink that is refreshing and exhilarating. Take some slow sips to really appreciate the complexities of your favorite tequila.

    Tequila on the rocks with a lime wedge on a wooden table.
    Jump to:
    • 🥃 What is a Tequila on the Rocks?
    • ⭐ When to Make This Drink
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Instructions
    • Recipe

    🥃 What is a Tequila on the Rocks?

    Tequila on the rocks is a great way to savor every bit of the tequila flavor. It’s simply a shot of tequila served in a rocks glass with ice. Oftentimes you’ll see it served with a garnish such as a lemon or lime wedge or an orange wheel.

    The term on the rocks when mentioned for any cocktail or drink essentially just means that the liquor or liqueur is served with ice. This allows the full flavor of the individual liquor or liqueur to really stand out and be enjoyed.

    Serving a liquor with ice allows it to get chilled. It also allows it to become slightly diluted as the ice melts. A few other popular on the rocks drinks are: vodka on the rocks, gin on the rocks and baileys on the rocks.

    Since tequila is the only ingredient and therefore the star of the show, it’s important to use a high quality tequila when drinking it this way. However, you can use any tequila variety you prefer from silver to gold to reposado.

    And, if you still aren’t sure about trying your tequila this way, here are all the reasons you’ll love it:

    • Couldn’t be easier. Seriously, what could be easier? All you have to do is put some ice in a glass and measure 2 oz of tequila into it.
    • Take in all the flavor. Drinking your tequila this way allows you to really take in all the flavors in the drink. It allows you to really enjoy the pure taste of tequila.
    • Serve anytime. This drink is classic, sophisticated and perfect for any occasion from casual to formal. You can really serve it at any time and to any crowd.

    ⭐ When to Make This Drink

    This classic and easy to make drink is perfect for most any sipping occasion from formal to casual to everything in between. If you aren’t sure when to try it, think about a few of these occasions:

    • Game night
    • Cocktail hour
    • After dinner drinks
    • Celebrations

    📖 Variations

    Although there’s not much you can do when thinking about substitutions or changing this drink up since there’s literally only one ingredient, here are a few things you can try:

    • Add a citrus twist. Give a little citrus twist to your drink by serving with a lemon or lime wedge and giving it a squeeze into the top of the glass before sipping.
    • Make it salty. Give your glass a little salt rim by rubbing a lime wedge or a little simple syrup around the rim and then rolling the rim in salt.
    • Dilute it. If the straight tequila is a little too strong, you can dilute it. Add a splash or to a water before you get to sipping.
    • Try different varieties of tequila. There are a couple different varieties of tequila and each has its own flavor profile. Though as the base, all tequilas are made from the blue agave plant which has a little bit of sweetness and a little bit of spiciness. Try some of these different ones out:
      • Silver or blanco tequila. This type of tequila is clear. It tends to have the lightest flavor as it is not typically aged. It also tends to have the strongest alcohol bite.
      • Reposado tequila. This is a slightly darker or gold colored tequila. It is typically aged in an oak barrel for up to a year or so. It tends to have a smoother, sweeter flavor and less of a bite than silver tequila.
      • Anejo tequila. This type of tequila is a dark gold color and it is typically aged in different types of wooden barrels for over a year. It has a much more complex flavor profile than the other two types. It is smooth, sweet and sometimes have undertones of flavor such as vanilla.

    🥄 Equipment

    • Rocks/Scotch/Bourbon glass
    • jigger

    📋 Ingredients

    • 2 oz Tequila
    • (optional) lime twist or wedge
    • Ice
    Bottle of tequila next to lime wedge, rocks glass with ice and a jigger.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Instructions

    Step one

    Go ahead and grab everything you need including a lime wedge, tequila, rocks glass, ice and a jigger.

    Step two

    Grab the ice and toss it into the rocks glass. The glass should be filled up to the top.

    Measuring tequila with a jigger.

    Step three

    Grab the tequila. Using the jigger, measure 2 oz.

    Pouring tequila from a jigger into a rocks glass.

    Step four

    Pick the jigger up and pour the tequila into the rocks glass with the ice.

    Step Five

    If you’d like to add a lime wedge or other garnish now as the time to do so. Pick up your lime and cut it into slices.

    Take one slice and cut a small notch in the pulp. Then, use that notch to secure it on the rim of the glass.

    Recipe

    Tequila on the rocks with a lime wedge on a wooden table.

    Tequila on the Rocks

    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Servings 1

    Equipment

    • jigger
    • Rocks glass
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 oz Tequila
    • Lime wedge or twist optional garnish
    • Ice

    Instructions
     

    • Add enough ice to the glass so that it is filled completely to the top.
    • If you want to add a garnish, get it ready now:
      1) Cut a lime into wedges.
      2) Pick a wedge and slice a notch in the pulp.
      3) Pop the lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
    • Take the tequila and the jigger.
    • Use the jigger and measure 2 oz of tequila.
    • Toss the tequila into the glass.
    • Give your drink a few swirls, then enjoy!
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    Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

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