A Tequila and Coke is a quick and easy cocktail recipe that you may have overlooked!
If you've ever wondered, "Can you mix tequila and coke?" The answer is YES! Pour a tasty Coke Cocktail (that is sometimes called a Batanga!) on ice for a super refreshing drink idea. It takes just a few minutes to make!
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Why Tequila with Coke Works
If you love super simple tequila cocktails and margaritas, this Coke and Tequila recipe is for you!
Vodka and Coke is one of my most popular posts so it dawned on me that people might also like to know about this tequila twist! And Tequila and Soda is so refreshing so I knew this would be too.
You don't need any special equipment, just a glass (traditionally this 3-ingredient cocktails are made with a highball, but I love these short whiskey glasses)!
Tequila with Coke is a great drink to make while on vacation or on a boat or anywhere that you don't want to schlep tons of ingredients and tools.
It's like a WAY paired-down version of a Long Island Iced Tea. It's also similar to a Cuba Libre except in place of rum it uses tequila. And we know how popular that classic drink is.
You may also want to check out my Coke and Rosé cocktail. Yes, it's weird. But totally delicious. I'm telling you, Coke is magic in cocktails.
Ingredient Notes
I like to use Mexican Coke but truthfully you can use regular Coke or any type of dark cola. Alone, Coke has a caramel-y taste. But, like pineapple juice, it is a fantastic cocktail mixer!
Fresh lime juice cuts through the sweetness of the cola and adds the perfect zing to this recipe.
I used reposado tequila (the aged flavor is a great match with the sweet Coke) but you could also use blanco if you prefer it or if that is all you have.
You can also add a salt rim (or partial rim) if you're into that. While they look pretty, I don't always love a decorative cocktail rim. (Except for rose petals with champagne).
Or you can just drop a pinch of sea salt into the glass while adding the rest of the ingredients. The results are sensational (although I didn't photograph this step).
How to Make a Batanga
The name of the Tequila Coke drink is Batanga. It's a Mexican cocktail that was said to be created in 1961. You can read more about the history of the origin on Savuer.
To a cocktail glass, add ice cubes. Top with reposado tequila. This jigger-sized small measuring cup is my favorite for making cocktails fast!
Fill the glass with a few ounces of Coke and a ½ oz. of lime juice. Gently stir. (For a real authentic Batanga you're supposed to use a big knife to stir it. For real, go read the history.)
Give it a taste and see if you need to adjust anything. If you love lime, you may want to add more.
Tips and Tricks
- What soda mixes with tequila? Just about all of them! Try Tequila and Diet Coke or use any other flavored cola, like Cherry Coke, for even more variations.
- One lime wedge (¼ of a lime) is about 1 teaspoon of juice (depending on the lime, its freshness and variety).
- Add a little Cointreau and you've basically got a Coke Margarita.
- It's very easy to make a large batch of this drink thanks to 2-liter bottles of soda. This could be a great party punch idea. Pre-squeeze a bunch of lime juice ahead of time but make this right before guests arrive. Float lime rounds on top. Your guests will love it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Although not a traditionally made tequila, I find that Casamigos has a subtle vanilla flavoring that is really nice in mixed drinks. I also love Deleon and Santo tequilas.
I found Miss Agave on Instagram and she's a great resource for information on everything tequila! And here is what I think are the best tequilas.
Listen. You're either team Coke or team Pepsi. I am team Coke all the way. So my answer would be no. It's just lacking something in the flavor department for me. But my husband would say absolutely you can mix tequila and Pepsi. Do the right thing.
Using a ratio to make a cocktail is a classic way to make a mixed drink. For this recipe you use 1 part tequila to 2 parts Coke.
Garnish with a cute cocktail marker (as shown above) or a lime wedge (or one of these other 22 garnish ideas). Tequila & Coke is truly one of the best easy cocktail recipes!
Related Easy Cocktails
- These Red Wine Tequila Cocktails are unique, easy and fun for a happy hour at home.
- I love making tequila cocktails that are twists on classic recipes. For this one, I used fresh mint and skipped the vodka.
- If you love tequila cocktails made with fresh herbs, you need to try this one ASAP. It's full of basil flavor that you're going to love!
- Fireball and Ginger Ale is another super simple cocktail to enjoy.
- A Coke-Mojito is SO yummy. You have to try it!
- A Coke Moscow Mule is a recipe you'll make over and over.
Tequila and Coke
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Tequila resposado
- 4 ounces Coke
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- sea salt for drink and rim (optional)
Instructions
- To a highball (or other cocktail) glass add ice.
- Add tequila.
- Top with cola.
- Add fresh lime juice and a pinch of sea salt and serve.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel if desired.
Notes
- Try it with Cherry Coke or Diet Coke or any other flavored cola for even more variations.
- This drink is sometimes served with a salt rim, to do this, rub a piece of fresh lime on the edge of the cocktail glass (before making the cocktail), then dip it into a small pile of sea salt on a plate. Then make the drink as noted above.
- One lime wedge (¼ of a lime) is about 1 teaspoon of juice (depending on the lime, its freshness and variety).
- Add a little Cointreau and you've basically got a Coke Margarita.
- It's very easy to make a large batch of this drink thanks to 2-liter bottles of soda. This could be a great party punch idea. Pre-squeeze a bunch of lime juice ahead of time but make this right before guests arrive. Float lime rounds on top. Your guests will love it!
ANTONIO AFTIMOS says
Wrong ...if you ask any Mexican the name of Coca Cola and Tequila is Charro Negro
Sharon Garofalow says
Thank you for updating me. I hadn't heard that before!