Tequila and Tonic Highball with Lime

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant highball cocktail marrying smooth tequila with bitter tonic water and a bright splash of lime for a lively summer drink. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 3 minutes brings together blanco tequila, tonic water, ice cubes for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 130 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 3 min Serves 1 Cocktails cuisine 130 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Fill a slim highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to keep the drink chilled.
  2. Step 2: Pour 2 oz of blanco tequila over the ice.
  3. Step 3: Slowly top with 5 oz of chilled tonic water, pouring gently to keep bubbles intact.
  4. Step 4: Squeeze the juice of 1 fresh lime wedge over the drink and drop it in for garnish.
  5. Step 5: Stir lightly once to integrate the lime juice and tequila with the tonic.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tequila and Tonic Highball with Lime take to make?

Total time is about 3 minutes (3 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Tequila and Tonic Highball with Lime?

Refrigerate any leftover tequila and tonic highball with lime in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tequila and Tonic Highball with Lime?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Tequila and Tonic Highball with Lime for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Tequila and Tonic Highball with Lime?

Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.