14 tequila cocktail recipes that taste like vacation

Thanks to its earthy, slightly sweet flavor, tequila is one of the most versatile liquors on your bar cart. The distilled spirit is made from blue agave, a cactus-like plant that’s native to Mexico. Depending on how long tequila is aged, it can appear in a spectrum of colors, from clear (unaged blanco) to a warm amber (aged anejo). It’s wonderful to sip on its own and also makes a great foundation for cocktails, especially for Cinco de Mayo.

While a margarita may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of tequila drink recipes, there are plenty of cocktails to make with a bottle (you can even cook with it!). Even the margarita itself is endlessly customizable. Add other citrus fruits to the lime juice or infuse the tequila with jalape?o for an unexpected kick of heat; the list of ways to jazz up a margarita goes on and on. Here you'll also find our take on traditional tequila cocktails including the Paloma and a tequila sunrise.

If you’re looking to explore all that the Mexican spirit has to offer, look no further than this list of fun, easy-to-make tequila cocktails.

5-Ingredient Hibiscus Margarita by Tiffanie Barriere

Try this easy hibiscus-infused margarita from pro bartender Tiffanie Barriere. A duo of blanco tequila and hibiscus liqueur give this boozy drink a vibrant hue. Garnish with edible flowers and a lime wheel for a tropical touch.

Margarita Ice Cubes by Tiffanie Barriere

There's nothing worse than a diluted cocktail. We may be exaggerating, but the point is that these ice cubes will prevent your margarita from ever getting watered down. They're made with fresh citrus juice, agave and club soda for a fizzy finish that preserves your drink.

Tequila Mockingbird 2 by Meg Bickford

Created by Meg Bickford, executive chef at Commander's Palace Kitchen in New Orleans, this innovative drink calls for a combination of reposado tequila, limoncello, fresh lemon juice, bitters and simple syrup. This bright and zesty tequila cocktail tastes like another round.

Classic Margarita Cocktail by Ivy Mix

Everyone should have a classic margarita recipe in their back pocket and we highly recommend this one from award-winning mixologist Ivy Mix. The drink itself calls for just four ingredients — tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and simple syrup — so be sure to use high-quality booze. True to tradition, the shaken cocktail is poured into a salt-rimmed glass.

Grilled Paloma Cocktail by Jon Taffer

Take the paloma — a Mexican cocktail traditionally made with grapefruit soda — to the next level by adding fresh juice and some char. Grill the grapefruit and limes and combine the juices with the tequila, simple syrup and club soda to form a drink that’s bubbly, tart and smoky all at once.

Frozen Aperol Peach Margarita Pitcher by Elizabeth Heiskell

This dreamy frozen margarita tastes like summer in a pitcher. Featuring a combination of tequila, aperol and Cointreau, the large-batch drink gets its sweet, creamy flavor from frozen peaches, honey and coconut milk.

Dan Levy's Cucumber-Jalape?o Margarita by Dan Levy with Cointreau

Like some heat in your drinks? Then this margarita is for you. The classic tequila, triple sec and lime cocktail gets a kick of heat from sliced jalape?os, balanced by the cooling aroma of muddled cucumbers.

Cara Cara Orange Margaritas by Matt Abdoo

This margarita gets a double dose of citrus flavor. Along with fresh lime juice, there’s a cup and a half of juice squeezed from Cara Caras, a navel orange that boasts a sweet, lightly tart flavor.

Ina Garten's Jalape?o Margarita by Ina Garten

We all know that the Barefoot Contessa loves a good strong cocktail. When it comes to tequila drinks, she’s also a fan of adding heat. Here, Ina infuses blanco or silver tequila with a small jalape?o overnight in the fridge before adding triple sec, honey, salt and a duo of lime and lemon juices.

Christmas Margarita by Elizabeth Heiskell

Elizabeth Heiskell gives the margarita a dose of Christmas cheer by adding cranberry and orange juices to the tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Garnishes like cranberries and rosemary sprigs add to the holiday-ready sipper.

Tequila Sunrise Sangria by Ingrid Hoffmann

The tequila sunrise and sangria come together to form this big-batch drink perfect for summer parties. Combine a bottle of your favorite dry white wine with silver or gold tequila and both white grape and lime juices. Drop in cut grapes, limes and oranges to give it the full sangria treatment.

Martha Stewart's Smoky Lemon Margarita by Martha Stewart

The sweet puckery lemon is the star of Martha’s lively margarita. A homemade simple syrup made with sugar, lemon juice and zest sweetens the drink, which also calls for tequila and orange liqueur.

Jenna After Dark Cocktail by Tiffanie Barriere

In this unique margarita inspired by Jenna and bartender Tiffanie Barriere’s Texan upbringing, an apple-pepper jelly and sliced jalape?o work together to bring on the heat. A brown sugar-salt rim helps tame the spice as you sip.

Smollett Siblings' Ginger Ale Margarita by Jazz Smollett

Looking for something a little different? This recipe swaps sparkling water for ginger ale, which adds a zippy effervescence to the tequila, lime juice and agave.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com