Editorial
Tequila has had a remarkable reputational glow-up. Once the spirit of regrettable shots and lime-wedge remedies, it is now the foundation of some of the most nuanced, complex cocktails in serious bar programmes. The Margarita alone earns its place in the all-time pantheon. But there is a whole continent of tequila-based drinks worth exploring — if you know what to order.
This guide ranks the best tequila cocktails you can reasonably expect to find at any well-stocked bar. We consider flavour, versatility, bartender execution risk, and whether the drink genuinely showcases what tequila brings to the glass.
Our cocktail bar guides highlight venues where the agave programme extends well beyond house Margaritas — from mezcal selections to single-origin blanco flights.
From the Negroni to the Aviation — ranked and annotated.
Daiquiri, Dark & Stormy, Painkiller and beyond.
Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and the drinks that made whiskey the king.
Bars for Kings connects venues with thousands of drink-curious readers every month.