Bartending Basics: Mixing a Balanced Cocktail With Premium Tequila
Now that we’ve grown accustomed to drinking at home -- with some of us venturing beyond wines and beer to create more complex cocktails -- it’s a good time for us to go over the basics and bartender secrets on how to make tequila-based cocktails that taste pro-level mixologist.
Whether you are hosting a dinner party, entertaining neighbors, or just relaxing at home, get ready to brandish your bartending skills with just a few basics that will really perfect your PaQuí game.
Getting Down to Basics
A simple rule of thumb when it comes to basic bartending knowledge is to remember the ratio 2:1:1. That breaks down to 2 ounces of your base liquor, 1 ounce of your sweet element, and 1 ounce of your tart element.
Step 1. Choose Your Base
When using PaQuí as your base liquor, you will want to choose the tequila that best matches your drink inspiration. Although each type is versatile and can be sipped or mixed deliciously, each type is uniquely well suited for certain kinds of drinks and moods. Although we highly recommend having Silvera as a baseline, you can check out our guide on the difference between Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas to determine what other types might complement your cocktail-palette best.
Step 2. Add Your Sweet
A sweet element can be any ingredient that complements the complex flavors of tequila. It can be soda or juice like grapefruit, agave nectar or simple syrup, or even a sweeter liquor like an aperol or campari. The sweet flavor helps to balance the bitterness we perceive when tasting alcohol.
Step 3. Add Your Sour
For your sour element, it can be a squeeze or the peel of a citrus, fresh orange or grapefruit juice, and even pickle juice. These tart additions help to enliven the drink and enhance the flavor.
Step 4. Add Aromatics
Wow your guests by going that one extra step. Aromatics add a dash of surprise and complexity to your drink that delights the senses. The most widely loved aromatic is adding in a few drops of bitters, but you can also coat the inside of your glass with an essential oil like Rose Water or Orange Flower Water, or a liqueur like Absinthe.
Step 5: Have fun & experiment!
Making a cocktail is all about balancing the flavors of the drink. Treat your fridge and cabinets as an experimental lab. Mix your favorite flavors, add in extra aromatics, or try even taking out some ingredients from the typical tequila-based cocktail recipe like the Margarita or Mojito. With PaQuí tequilas, the aromas, flavors and natural sweetness of the agave fruit shine through so you might find that you don’t need that extra sweetness or other flavors to mask the bitterness and bite you might find in other tequilas. You may be surprised at the delicious outcome!
How To Build Out Your Bar
Mixers, garnishes, and stirring sticks - when you build out your own home bar, there are some essential supplies you’ll need to help you craft the perfect cocktail.
After you have the liquor of your choice, here are some supplies you might want to stock.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- Soda (cola, diet cola, lemon-lime, etc)
- Tonic Water
- Seltzer Water
- Juice (orange, pineapple, grapefruit, cranberry lime, etc)
- Ginger Ale
Fruits, Garnishes, and Seasonings
- Lemons, limes, andoranges (for wedges and peels
- Maraschino cherries
- Olives
- Angostura bitters
- Jalapenos
Tools
- Bar spoon
- Muddler
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- Square and sphere ice cube trays (to instantly elevate the look of your drink!)
4 Essential Tequila “WOW” Cocktails You Should Master
The premium tequila cocktail recipes we’ve listed here are classics for a reason- they taste delicious. Whether you are making drinks for yourself or a group, make sure to add these to your repertoire.
- Oaxacan Tequila Old Fashioned (Try it with our PaQuí Reposado)
A veritable classic made for fine tequilas, this drink was made to honor Oaxaca as the gastronomical capital of Mexico. Though more traditionally known for their Mezcal, this reposado tequila cocktail has the complex breadth and savory depth of flavor that the region is known for. Get the recipe!
- Tequila Negroni (Try it with our PaQuí Silvera)
We've taken this classic gin cocktail and substituted with PaQuí Silvera which rounds out the slight bitter taste of a Negroni for a smooth, delicious drinking experience. A staple for any tequila aficionado, garnish with an orange peel. Get the recipe!
- Classic Tequila Mojito (Try it with our PaQuí Silvera)
The national drink of Cuba, the Mojito has a long history of association with classic celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, Johnny Depp, and the James Bond franchise. The most popular global cocktail in 2013, we've taken the classic mojito and added tequila for a Mexican finish. Get the recipe!
- The PaQuí Revolver (Try it with our PaQuí Anejo)
A relatively recent cocktail, the Revolver earned its place in San Francisco where the theatrics of the flamed orange twist caused quite the stir. With sweet notes of chocolate, bright aromas of citrus, and calming earthy tones of coffee, the PaQuí Revolver is a perfect after-dinner or dessert drink designed to delight your senses. Get the recipe!
Premium Crafted Cocktails with PaQuí
With the right know-how and proper ingredients at your exposal, the mix and match possibilities for a well-crafted cocktail using premium tequila are endless. Want a bottle of PaQuí to start building out your own home bar? Find a bottle near you.