Matador Cocktail

While the Margarita gets all the attention, you might not know about the Matador. The Matador is a tequila-based cocktail with pineapple and lime flavors. My Matador Cocktail recipe is a variation of a classic drink that is sweet, well-balanced, and delicious.

Margaritas. We've all seen them, we've all probably tried them. But why should they have all the fun?

I've covered them a couple of times on this blog from the high-end Cadillac Margarita to a seasonal Blood Orange Margarita. There is something about the acidity, salt, and taste of tequila that go so well together.

Since most cocktails are basically cousins of one another, the Vodka Gimlet is pretty similar to a margarita as well. Minus the orange flavor and the tequila get swapped out for vodka.

Now, I've been playing around with this recipe. And while it departs a bit from the classic Matador, consider it a fresh, updated, and well-balanced drink.

What type of tequila should I use?

If you go to the liquor store and you don't know what you are looking for, then ALWAYS look for the label 100% agave. Any other label will be a headache in a bottle. And yes, some say made with agave, but pass on those, you want those exact words of 100% agave.

Second, you'll notice all the different colors of tequila. Some are aged, some not. Here is a quick color comparison:

Sipping, I'd reach for the darker Extra Anejo. For mixing, I'll keep it to silver or Reposado.

Silver Tequila- is clear, unaged, and tastes more of the agave it was made from. This is also known as Blanco tequila.

Reposado- Is slightly golden in color and has been rested in oak barrels for 2-12 months giving it that light golden color. This is a more complex tequila that has subtle notes from the barrel it was aged in.

Both silver tequila and reposado tequila make for a solid mixed drink. The other tequilas I would leave to sipping as they take on a more smoky nature and don't always jive well with the rest of the ingredients

Use what you have and what you enjoy drinking.

Tips for making this

• This can be served in a martini glass or champagne flute.
• If you shake this well enough you'll get a frothy top to it which looks stunning on presentation.
• Always use fresh limes
• Use good ice
• Canned pineapple juice is fine as long as you would be willing to drink it (and enjoy it on its own)

How this differs from the original

When I try a drink, it is usually from the "original recipe." Many original recipes will just add lime juice. I found that drink to be too acidic. I've modified it by adding 2 lime wheels to the cocktail shaker and one final one as garnish.

Why? In the peel, there are essential oils that contain a lot of lime flavor without the acid. So you get all the lime flavor without compounding the acidity and keeping this a balanced drink.

Watch Me Make This (30 Seconds)

How to Make

Step 1: Add ice to a cocktail shaker.

Step 2: Measure an add pineapple juice, tequila, simple syrup and lime wheels to cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Step 3: Shake for 30 seconds until the sides of your shaker are ice cold.

Step 4: Using a strainer, pour into cocktail glass like a martini or champagne glass and garnish with an optional lime wheel.

Step 5: Sip, enjoy, leave a review, and share this with your friends.

I hope you enjoy this Matador Cocktail!

If you try this, would you mind hitting the “Rate” button? I’d love to know what you thought of it. If you modified the original recipe here, please let me know how it turned out. I love comments!

If you’ve tried this Matador Cocktail or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I’m up to.

Other Cocktails You Might Enjoy

Cadillac Margarita

Blood Orange Margarita

Vodka Gimlet

Malibu Bay Breeze