Tequila Martini

The classic Gin Martini is a classic for so many reasons: it's simple, it's easy to make, and it tastes great. It also works well as an inspiration for so many other cocktail recipes, and the Tequila Martini is no different. While a lot of riffs on the original Martini make quite a few changes to the original recipe, the Tequila Martini just pretty much a straight swap. All you need to do is replace the Gin with Tequila Blanco, add a bit of Angostura Bitters, and you're good to go.

While it's a Martini in name, this isn't the Martini you know at all. After all, Tequila and Gin taste wildly different. It's also a way to serve Tequila that you're likely not used to, so it could be a fun way to experiment with Tequila!

With all that being said, we're suggesting a Tequila Blanco here. However, you're welcome to try a different kind of Tequila here. Of course this means you're going to get some different flavours with a more aged Tequila, but that might be fun.

Total Time 4

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

75 mL Tequila Blanco or a Tequila style of your choice
15 mL Dry Vermouth
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Garnish with what you like

Instructions

Add Tequila, Dry Vermouth, and Bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir until everything is cold.
Strain into a Martini glass.
Garnish and serve.

Notes

If you look at the Gin Martini recipes or even the Vodka Martini recipe you'll notice that we're a little more heavy handed with the Tequila here and that the portion of Dry Vermouth is different, so of course things aren't a straight swap. While we're not the inventor of the Tequila Martini, we're sure whoever figured out these proportions did so to get the balance of the cocktail correct. Different spirits have different flavours to them, so relative proportions of everything need to be changed here! That being said, feel free to adjust proportions to suit your tastes. For example, a lot of people will like less Vermouth. It's up to you!

Here’s a Bit More Information on the Tequila Martini

We here at what cocktail can I make like a Martini and its variations. They’re pretty easy to make and there’s something special in their simplicity. And if you’re trying to figure out what cocktail to make based on ingredients, something with only a few ingredients like this will really come in handy. The Martini is almost endlessly modifiable and a great base to so many cocktail recipes. Of course if you modify it too much you’re going to stray away from your drink technically being a Martini, but that doesn’t matter! If you manage to concoct something that tastes good, how much can the name really matter?

So give the Tequila Martini a go, see what you think, then go from there.

Can I make a few Tequila Martinis at once?

Yes, you can make more than one Tequila Martinis in a mixing glass, just be sure that everything is properly mixed and chilled before serving it. As you’re working with more liquid, it may require more time to stir and chill than with a smaller amount of liquid.

Will the Tequila Martini keep for later?

If you make this cocktail and put it in the fridge for later, it should still be good after a few hours. Make it, as normal, with ice, but don’t store it with ice as it will become too diluted to drink. Just leave it in the fridge and enjoy it when you can!

When do we like to drink a Tequila Martini?

A Martini (of any variety) is a great “any time cocktail.” It’s great at a party, just before dinner, after dinner, or hell, even during dinner. The classic Martini tastes great but it’s not overwhelming in flavour so it won’t push aside anything else you may be tasting.

The Tequila Martini is no different. It’s a great cocktail for any occaision. You may want to have a Tequila Martini in the place of the classic, or you may want to use it as a way to sample some different Tequilas; sure you can have the Tequila straight, but the additions of the Vermouth and Bitters may open things up a little bit for a better tasting experience.

Finally, while we always suggest a Margarita to go with Mexican food, the Tequila Martini may be a good before dinner cocktail before a Mexican party and before you whip out the Margaritas.

Is the Tequila Martini a strong cocktail?

This one packs a bit of a punch. Other Martini recipes usually top out around 45-60 mL of base spirit while this recipe goes with 75 mL, that’s just enough to start pushing things a little further than your average cocktail. With that in mind, despite there being a bit of Dry Vermouth in here, you’re really just drink straight Tequila, and a fair bit of it as that! There’s really nothing in this cocktail recipe to dilute the alcohol.

There are stronger cocktails out there, but watch out for the Tequila Martini, it’s also pretty strong.

What kind of music goes best with the Tequila Martini?

Take your pick really! With something classic like a Martini we always think of old Jazz clubs or some sort of instrumental music. Tequila, however, brings us towards more stereotyped Mexican music like Mariachi music or Spanish styles like Flamenco.

So it looks like the Tequila Martini is just as versatile in terms of music as Martinis are in general. Take your pick here. Just remember to have fun with it.