Tamarind & Tequila

Tamarind and Tequila Cocktail

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

There are some flavor pairings that are absolutely perfect; tamarind and tequila is one of those. The duo comes together in perfect harmony in this incredibly simple drink recipe and it's very hard not to fall in love with it.

The tamarind and tequila recipe is essentially a spiked tamarind soda. The earthy flavors of its two main ingredients really shine in the mixed drink and are accented with just a little sweetness from simple syrup. When it's finished off with ginger ale, the drink is refreshing, lively, and definitely something you'll want to experience again and again.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the tequila, nectar, and syrup into a highball glass filled with ice.

  3. Stir well. Top with ginger ale.

  4. Serve and enjoy.

How Strong Is a Tamarind and Tequila?

The amount of ginger ale you end up pouring will affect the tamarind and tequila's alcohol content. On average, it's a pleasant and casual highball drink that weighs in around 8 percent ABV (16 proof), right in between the strength of beer and wine.

Tamarind in Cocktails

The tamarind tree produces pods that contain a unique fruit which is used in a variety of foods throughout the world including Indian, Mexican, and Mediterranean cuisines. It has a well-known sour flavor that becomes sweeter as the fruit ripens.

When it comes to adding tamarind to drinks there are a few options:

  • Tamarind Nectar or Syrup: Often, the nectar is a tamarind concentrate that has water, sugar, and other additives. This is an ideal way to add tamarind to drinks that are stirred or shaken. You can find the nectar in many grocery stores, often in the juice aisle and sometimes in the whole foods or organic section.​

  • Tamarind Paste or Concentrate: This is a thicker tamarind product that is good to use in blended drinks such as the tamarind margarita. The paste can be found in the international aisle of many supermarkets, in local gourmet shops, or online retailers. You can also process raw tamarind pods into a paste or puree yourself. It can be a daunting task, though well worth the effort, especially if you are also interested in cooking with it. 

  • Agua de Tamarindo: This is a popular drink in Mexico and can be made at home by boiling fresh tamarind pods in water until liquified, then combining it with sugar. Tamarindo also makes an appearance as a bottled soda, including one produced by Jarritos. These can often be found in Mexican markets.

Tamarind Flavor Pairings

Tamarind pairs very well with tequila and can also be used with vodka. The sweetness of rum and a sweeter whiskey may also work well with tamarind, though this may be a little trickier to find a balance.

Other flavors that are nice with tamarind are ginger, coconut, chiles, lime, anise, and cinnamon. Tamarind tends to also work well with a variety of fruit juices, especially sweeter ones that balance the tamarind's sour profile.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
201 Calories
0g Fat
27g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 201
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 3mg 17%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 15mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)