The Two-One-Two

Created by New York bartender and consultant Willy Shine, the Two-One-Two is brilliantly simple, yet has an engagingly complex flavor. Composed of a base of reposado tequila—Partida, one of the better brands to emerge in recent years, is recommended here—the Two-One-Two includes a couple of the agave spirit's most agreeable companions: fresh grapefruit juice, and the Italian amaro Aperol, a bright, bitter liqueur rich with orange peel and rhubarb.

Old Fashioned Cocktails (for a Crowd)

Old Fashioned cocktails, made with bourbon or rye, are great for making a big batch in advance of a party, so they're perfect for fall or winter gatherings.

Siesta

This spin on the Hemingway Daiquiri was created in 2006 by Katie Stipe. Tequila adds warmth to bitter Campari; it's a luxurious cocktail that's a bit like sipping candied grapefruit peel.

Tequila por mi Amante

When local strawberries are at their peak, one of my favorite drinks to make is a simple preparation called Tequila por mi Amante. It's not something you put together to enjoy tonight—rather, it's an infusion that takes a few minutes of work and a few weeks of waiting, but the payoff is definitely worthwhile. Combining the bright, aromatic sweetness of strawberries with the peppery earthiness of tequila, Tequila por mi Amante tastes like joyous summer.

Date Martinez

A rich, layered twist on a classic cocktail.

Tuxedo

Did I mention this drink is dry? Good lord, it's nothing less than arid—your typical dry martini is positively flamboyant next to a cocktail as reserved as the Tuxedo. But don't take this dryness as a sign that it's boring; rather, the sherry brings a touch of its distinctive nuttiness to the drink, which puts a new spring in the gin's step and makes this relative of the classic martini a worthwhile variation.

Tequila and Campari With Tangerine

Tequila works surprisingly well with the bitter flavors of Campari in this easy pitcher cocktail. Añejo tequila complements the bright, sunny tangerine juice in the mix.

Quick and Easy Margarita Shandy

This easy, refreshing shandy is best with a pilsner or Mexican lager. I used Modelo Especial (not Negra Modelo!).

Three-Rum Old Fashioned

Mike Treffehn of The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. in Philadelphia shared this tiki-style drink recipe. It brings out the best in three rums with their own strong personalities.

Prado

Pairing the agave spirit with its old friend, fresh lime juice, the Prado substitutes the margarita's orangey triple sec for a dose of aromatic maraschino liqueur, with the white of half an egg added for extra body (since accurately dividing an egg white can be a pain, you can go ahead and mix two drinks and share one with a friend).