Make Ranch Water Tequila Cocktails Plus 4 More Drinks for Summer

A drink called a ranch water tequila cocktail might not sound very good—but it's a delicious cocktail made with tequila, lime, and Topo Chico (sparkling mineral water). Its name has nothing to do with the stuff you dip your buffalo wings in; it's inspired by a Texas rancher that supposedly created the drink in the 1960s. Known as the "unofficial cocktail of West Texas," ranch water is popular beyond the Lone Star state.

You may see it with other trendy hard seltzers at your grocery store, but it's super simple to make at home. This easy tequila cocktail will be your new go-to for summertime sipping. Here's how to make it, plus a few lesser-known, summer-ready tequila cocktail recipes crafted by experts.

How to Make a Ranch Water Tequila Cocktail

The beauty of ranch water is there's no exact science to perfecting this drink, so feel free to adjust it to your taste preferences. If you want a spicier take, try the aleppo-pepper and salt rim featured in the batch recipe (serves 8!) on our sister site, MarthaStewart.com.

Ingredients

• 1½ to 2 ounces of tequila
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4 ounces Topo Chico (You can use another sparkling mineral water brand here, but Texas natives will argue nothing else compares. Look for it in the sparkling water or Mexican section of your grocery store.)
• Lime wedges for garnish
• Lots of ice

Method

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add tequila and lime juice, then top it off with your Topo Chico. Sip away!

Tequila Cocktail Recipes (Beyond Margaritas)

While enjoying a margarita with taco night is a classic pairing, there's so much more the agave-based spirit can do for your cocktail game. Thanks to some experts in the mixology (and tea!) industry, we got a few unique tequila cocktail recipes to try.

Colibrí Rubi Tea

Created by mixologist Caer Ferguson, this cocktail recipe for Don Julio Tequila gets a refreshing twist with the addition of floral hibiscus tea and strawberries.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces silver tequila, such as Don Julio Blanco
• 2 ounces hibiscus tea
• ½ ounce lime Juice
• ¼ ounce simple syrup
• Strawberry halves, to garnish

Method

1. Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, hibiscus tea, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake gently.

2. Strain contents into a tall glass over fresh ice and garnish with half a strawberry.

Tequila Añejo Old Fashioned

If your go-to drink is an old-fashioned, consider swapping the bourbon for a barrel-aged tequila.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces tequila añejo, such as Don Julio
• 1 tsp. agave nectar
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Orange peel

Method

1. Combine tequila añejo, agave nectar, and aromatic bitters in a mixing glass over ice. Stir thoroughly until chilled.
2. Strain contents into a fresh glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange twist.

CharGrill Tequila

If you haven't grilled fruit before, now's you're chance! Certified tea master Lisa Marie Gennawey, founder and owner of J'enwey Tea Co., freezes chopped grilled fruit with juice to make ice cubes for this refreshing grapefruit-infused tequila cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 cup grilled fruit, chopped (Pineapples, watermelon, and peaches would be delicious, but use whatever you've got!)
• 2 cups (at least) grapefruit juice
• 2 ounces tequila
• 4 ounces grapefruit iced tea

Method

1. Place chopped grilled fruit in large square ice cube trays and cover with grapefruit juice. Freeze 3 to 4 hours or until solid.
2. Make your grapefruit tea by steeping 2 tsp. loose leaf (or two bags) in 8 ounces of water for 5 minutes. Or cold brew 1 ounce of tea to 1 liter of water. Keep in the fridge for several days.
3. Fill a tall glass with your fruit ice cubes, top with tequila & grapefruit tea. Watch as they melt and change the tequila flavor game.

Electric Coconut

The folks at PATRÓN were kind enough to share this tropical tequila cocktail featuring coconut water and pineapple juice. Serve it over crushed ice and a little umbrella to make you feel like you're on a beach.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. silver tequila, such as PATRÓN
• 1 oz. coconut water
• ¾ oz. pineapple juice
• ½ oz. lemon juice
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Angostura bitters, for garnish
• Pineapple leaf, for garnish

Method

1. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake well with ice.
2. Strain over crushed ice in a double old-fashioned glass (or any short glass).
3. Garnish with a dash of bitters and a pineapple leaf.

Enjoy these tequila cocktails at your next happy hour. Then keep the boozy theme going with some tequila-infused dishes for your next meal, such as tequila-marinated chicken thighs.