by Dane Wilson |
Last Updated: September 10, 2021 Hey there! This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site.
When you have something as bold and daring as tequila on the counter, deciding what to mix with it can be daunting. If you don’t have a recipe, you’re a little like an explorer crossing into unknown lands. Mixing soda with tequila is always a safe bet, but how do you know what soda to mix with tequila? Should soda and tequila even be stirred together?
The answer is yes, you should try tequila with soda because the possibilities are boundless. With more than one flavor of soda in existence, you have dozens of chances to find the best soda with tequila combo for you.
Table of Contents
What Soda Goes Well With Tequila?
So many options, so little time. Let’s cut through the riffraff of the soda world and tell you exactly what soda goes best with tequila.
Actually, on second thought, there’s no one soda that is the be-all-end-all. We have a list to get you started, though. You will soon find that many of the combinations are effortless (and you probably have some of them in your home right now). Check them out.
Sprite (Lemon-Lime Soda)
There are many reasons why lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or 7UP, are a natural accompaniment to tequila. First, you have the limey flavor. Being that lime is traditionally paired with the spirit, it makes sense. The rich flavor of tequila is balanced by the acid of the citrus flavors in the soda, making it mellow enough to a midday cocktail.
Or you can make a Red Headed Mexican, which includes Jose Cuervo Clasico, lemon-lime soda, and cranberry juice or grenadine.
Coca-Cola
What doesn’t coke go with? Tequila and coke is the spin-off of rum and coke that you didn’t know you needed in your life. Plus, the flavoring ingredients in Coca-Cola, such as vanilla, lemon, orange, nutmeg, and so on, interlace with the notes of tequila of all ages. Silver tequila makes the combo a bit more piquant, while gold tequila is ambrosial.
Orange Soda
Have some gold tequila sitting around? Gold tequila is aged much longer than its silver compatriot, so the flavors are richer, deeper, and less acerbic on the tongue. Though gold tequila is usually savored straight, it plays well with orange soda. Yes, you read that correctly. The notes of smoother tequilas—vanilla, spices, peat, caramel—dance around the pure orange of the soda. It’s a treat.
Flavored Sodas
Okay, so you know how a lot of brands these days are coming out with flavored varieties of their popular drinks. Like how Coca-Cola has Vanilla Coke, Lime Coke, and Pepsi went with a mango flavor? All of those can be combined with tequila. Sweet, punchy, fruity, tangy—flavored sodas offer it all.
Ginger Beer (or Ginger Ale)
You probably wouldn’t think that spicy ginger ale or ginger beer goes together with tequila, but it does. Top off some tequila with ginger beer and lime, and you’ll have yourself a Mexican Mule instead of Moscow Mule. It’s kind of like a margarita but with twice the fire and smoke.
Grapefruit Soda
Ever hear of a Paloma? Grapefruit-flavored soda and tequila make a wonderful pairing. The tartness of the grapefruit seems to melt into the smoky bite of agave. You can use either silver or gold tequila for this, depending on your preferences. If you want the tequila to stand out more, go for silver.
Seltzer
Recently, club sodas and seltzer water have regained their popularity, partially due to their versatility. You can find dozens of flavors in the grocery store at any time, so you can get as experimental as your heart desires. Club sodas, on the other hand, have a muted flavor when compared to cola, so you can use them to let the tequila shine.
Here are some flavors of seltzer and club soda to get you started:
- Root beer
- Cream soda
- Lime tonic
- Vanilla seltzer
- Orange seltzer
- Raspberry lime seltzer
- Cranberry lime seltzer
- Strawberry seltzer
- Pomegranate seltzer
- Black cherry seltzer
Recipes for Tequila and Soda Cocktails
Having seen all the options for the best sodas to mix with tequila, let’s have a look at some classic and not-so-classic tequila and soda recipes. You can whip these out while entertaining at a party or whenever you want to try something new alone.
Tequila Slammer
Ah, yes, Tequila Slammer. Though we don’t know exactly why it’s called a slammer, it probably has something to do with the punch of flavor you get. Take one part tequila and mix it together with one part 7UP, and either your choice of Mountain Dew or ginger ale.
Cherry Lime Tequila Cocktail
Looking for something kind of sweet but also with a bite? The cherry lime tequila cocktail will satisfy that craving. Grab some lime juice, cherry-flavored 7UP, and some tequila. Mix them all together and garnish with a cherry and lime. Drink up!
Batanga
The Batanga is beauty, pure and simple. The drink first arrived on the scene during the 1950s and 60s, though it’s impossible to say when exactly someone was inspired enough to mix Coca-Cola with tequila. However, credit for the Batanga goes to Don Javier Delgado Corona of La Capilla, Tequila, Mexico. Now, the secret to making a great Batanga isn’t in the ingredients, it’s in the stirring. You want to stir the drink with a long knife that was used to chop other ingredients—limes, avocado, chile. The idea is that these elements get infused into the drink.
You’ll need a lime wedge, a tall glass, and some salt to rim it. Fill the glass with ice. Add in the tequila, Coca-Cola, and lime juice. Stir together and garnish with your lime wedge.
Tequila Soda
Customizable drinks like the Tequila Soda are always a hit. You choose 1 oz of whatever silver tequila you’d like. Since silver tequila is such a bold flavor, the crispness of agave will stand out regardless of the soda water (or club soda, sparkling water, or seltzer) that you choose.
Mix your tequila in with 3 oz of club soda or soda water. It can be flavored or unflavored, so peek back up at the list of flavored fizzy drinks to find one you might like. Squeeze in some fresh lime juice, stir, and enjoy. Refreshing!
Wrapping Up
The best soda with tequila? Any of them! Really, it is more or less up to you what you want to mix with your tequila, but there are few limits. Whether you’re seeking something fruity and bubbly or tangy and rich, there is a soda and tequila pairing made for you.
