Tequila lemonade is a deliciously zingy 2 ingredient cocktail! It’s refreshing and light, and it works as a makeshift margarita.

Here’s a deliciously easy way to sip through summer…Tequila Lemonade! Tequila and lemonade are the perfect pairing: the zippy citrus goes hand in hand with the zing of the spirit’s finish. So why not mix them into a quick 2 ingredient cocktail? It comes together in a flash and even better: it makes a stellar easy version of a margarita! No syrupy margarita mix required.

What’s in tequila lemonade?

This tequila lemonade requires nothing beyond the two ingredients in its name. It’s best when you use homemade lemonade because the flavor is outstanding. But in a rush, you can use store-bought too! It’s actually a pretty decent lazy version of a cocktail, in our opinion. Here’s what you’ll need for tequila lemonade:

Homemade lemonade (lemons, sugar, and water) or purchased lemonade
Tequila (blanco or reposado)

Make it by the pitcher or glass

If you go with homemade lemonade here (and we hope you do!), you can make it by the pitcher or by the glass. The homemade recipe makes 8 cups, but you’ll only need 6 cups for a pitcher of tequila lemonade (refrigerate the leftovers and save for later). You can also make it by the glass, if you’re making only one serving at a time. Here’s what to do:

Make the homemade lemonade. You’ll need 6 cups of the lemonade for a pitcher, or ¾ cup for a glass. You can also make a single serving of homemade lemonade: simply mix 3 tablespoons lemon juice with 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons warm water, then add 1 cup cold water. Measure out ¾ cup for this recipe.
For the pitcher, use 6 cups lemonade and 2 cups tequila.
For the glass, use ¾ cup lemonade and ¼ cup tequila.

It almost tastes like a makeshift margarita

Tequila and lemonade work so well together, they almost taste like a delicately-flavored margarita! The zing of the citrus is reminiscent of lime juice, though it’s not quite as astringent. But we love the idea of using purchased lemonade as a tequila mixer instead of margarita mix, which can be syrupy sweet. (Of course, the antidote to that is our Homemade Margarita Mix…but we digress.)

Best tequila to use

What’s the best type of tequila to use in this drink? This cocktail is pretty laid back, so there’s no real wrong way to mix it. Here’s what we’d recommend:

Tequila blanco (unaged) is best for pairing with lemonade. Patrón Silver is a good mid range tequila blanco, and it’s great in this Patron Margarita.
Tequila reposado (aged) adds oak and vanilla notes. Reposado adds a layer of sophistication! It’s makes less of a summery and fresh vibe, but it adds intriguing notes. It’s our top tequila for margaritas.

Variations on tequila lemonade

There are lots of ways to spike your lemonade, and we’re here for it! Here are few more variations on spiked lemonade:

Use vodka for Vodka Lemonade
Add whiskey for Whiskey Lemonade or Bourbon Lemonade
Go for gin with Gin and Lemonade
Opt for rum with Rum Lemonade
Grab vodka and limoncello for Spiked Lemonade