Why Does Squirt Make for a Good Tequila Drink?

There's no doubt that tequila pairs best with citrus flavors. Lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange are classic flavors found in a variety of tequila cocktails like the Paloma, Margarita, and Tequila Sunrise. While squeezing your own citrus is hands down the best way to combine these flavors with tequila, it can be a messy and time-consuming process. Whether you don't have the time to squeeze your own citrus or you can't find the ingredients you need, citrus replacements are a convenient way to get similar flavors to fresh-squeezed citrus without all the hassle. The market for substitute citrus flavors like margarita mix, juices, concentrates, and sodas is quite large, and we continue to see more products like this enter the market. These mixers all claim to be ideal for making tequila-based cocktails, but many fall short when compared to fresh-squeezed citrus. One product, however, that has withstood the test of time is Squirt, or Squirt Grapefruit soda. While it is technically a grapefruit soda, Squirt brings the flavors of lemon, lime, and grapefruit all in one fizzy beverage that can make the best tequila drinks. Unlike other similar grapefruit sodas, Squirt has a balance of lemon-lime tart flavor, along with the grapefruit flavor. This gives it the ideal tang, or sour notes, that go so well in tequila beverages.

Popular Tequila and Squirt Drink Recipes

There are a lot of different tequila drinks that include Squirt soda, but here are a few of the most popular. I would encourage you to experiment with other combinations as well since there are many cocktails that can be enhanced with Squirt.

Top Tequila and Squirt Recipes:

• My hands-down favorite tequila cocktail made with Squirt is The Paloma. This recipe uses grapefruit soda, but make sure to use Squirt specifically for the best results. While it does call for fresh-squeezed citrus in addition to Squirt soda, it is absolutely worth the trouble. The recipe is simple: just add 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice, 1/2 oz lime juice, 1/4 oz simple syrup, and 2 oz blanco tequila to your shaker with ice. Shake it until cold, and top with 2 oz Squirt soda.
• Squirt and tequila. That's it, no need to overcomplicate things! When you want a solid, quick cocktail that's similar to the Paloma without all the hassle, a simple Squirt and tequila beverage is the easiest choice that is still delicious and full of citrus flavors. To make it, combine 2 oz of blanco tequila with 4 oz of Squirt soda. This is a general recommendation, but you can add more or less Squirt depending on your preference. Check out the tips and enhancements below on how you can perfect this tequila-Squirt drink.
• The Cantarito cocktail is another great choice to make with Squirt grapefruit soda. This drink is traditionally made in a clay cantarito cup, but this is optional. To make it, you'll want to combine 2 oz of Blanco Tequila, 3/4 oz grapefruit juice, 3/4 oz orange juice, and 1/2 oz lime juice in your shaker. Shake with ice until chilled, and strain over ice into your cantarito or cup. To finish, top off with Squirt soda, about 3 oz or to taste.

Squirt and Tequila Drink Enhancements

• Lime or grapefruit garnish. A lime wedge is great to add more sour notes to taste, and similarly, a grapefruit wedge can enhance the grapefruit flavors of any of the above recipes. These garnishes also level up these cocktails' presentation!
• Tajín or salt rims. Depending on your palate, you should definitely consider adding a Tajín or salt rim to make these Squirt and tequila drinks even more irresistible! Both are great complements, but I personally enjoy a Tajín rim to enhance any of these beverages.
• Using Squirt made in Mexico. While the American version is just fine for these tequila-Squirt cocktails, using the Mexican version can have a slightly better flavor due to the use of cane sugar.

Tips for Creating the Perfect Tequila and Squirt Drinks

1. Don't shake your Squirt! Squirt is carbonated, so shaking it up can become quite a mess. Make sure to add the Squirt as the last step, and gently stir to maintain the bubbles and fizz.
2. Chill your Squirt soda beforehand. While you can add it at room temperature, it's always better when cold.
3. Select a quality, 100% agave additive-free blanco tequila. Unaged blanco tequila pairs best with these tequila and Squirt recipes, but you could also use reposado tequila if that's what you prefer. Añejo tequilas have too many other flavors, like oak, caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon, which don't pair well with citrus.
4. Experiment with different quantities of Squirt. Everyone's palate is different, so experiment with adding more or less Squirt to find your ideal taste. There's only one way to find out what you prefer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some substitutes for Squirt? If you don't have Squirt available, you can substitute another grapefruit soda like Fresca or Jarritos grapefruit soda. These are similar but have a slightly different taste. You can also use the diet versions if you want a lower-sugar Squirt tequila drink.

Does Squirt have caffeine? Regular versions of Squirt do not, but there is caffeine in the Ruby Red Squirt variation.