Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×
  • Overhead view of pickles in a white bowl
    Sweet Heat Refrigerator Pickles
  • A basket full of garlic breadsticks.
    How to Make Soft Garlic Breadsticks`
  • A peaches and cream icebox pie with a serving removed to show the layers.
    Peach Icebox Pie
  • A square of strawberry shortcut cake being served from a spatula.
    Strawberry Shortcut Cake
  • A cropped view of this recipe in a glass bowl for the feature image.
    Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
  • Closeup of fried chicken on a plate.
    Why Do Southerners Put Buttermilk in Everything?
  • Overhead view of finished crockpot chicken bog in the crockpot.
    Crockpot Chicken Bog
  • Overhead view of the finished grapefruit cake on a white cake plate.
    Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit Bundt Cake
  • Overhead view of skillet with finished cabbage in it. Feature image.
    Creamed Cabbage
  • Bright green cocktail in a clear glass.
    Hammered Hulk Cocktail – A Bold, Green Drink for St. Patrick’s Day
  • Closeup of pimento cheese balls for feature image.
    Crispy Fried Pimento Cheese Balls
  • A crunchy topped casserole with a serving spoon in it.
    Pineapple Casserole
Home » Recipes » Beverages

Durango Cocktail

Published: Jun 16, 2024 by Marye

This refreshing cocktail is made with grapefruit juice, reposado tequila, and amaretto for a smooth, refreshing drink that's as good at brunch as it is in the evening.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 2 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe
A cocktail on a dark background with title text overlay for Pinterest.
A cocktail on a dark background with title text overlay for Pinterest.

If you're looking for a refreshing, tangy cocktail that's perfect for any occasion, then this Durango Cocktail is exactly what you need!

With its vibrant flavors and easy preparation, it's a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for the recipe. This cocktail combines the zesty taste of lime and ruby red grapefruit juice with the smoothness of tequila and amaretto, creating a delightful drink that's as fun to make as it is to sip.

An orange color cocktail in a glass garnished with lime and cherries.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • Marye's Tip
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • ✍🏻 A note from Marye...
  • 💬 Comments

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • Easy & unique: The Durango Cocktail is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Its refreshing and zesty flavors are perfect for warm weather and social gatherings, making it a go-to drink for any occasion.
  • Casual events: Serve this cocktail at your next backyard barbecue, dinner party, or casual get-together. It's also a great choice for a relaxing evening at home or to kick off the weekend.

When most people think about Mexican cocktails they think about margaritas - maybe even a Paloma. The truth of the matter is that Mexico has a ton of cocktails that most Americans haven't ever heard of.

I am not sure where the Durango cocktail originated, to be honest. I'd like to say that it was probably in Durango, Mexico but the fact that is contains amaretto makes me skeptical about that.

I am not going to try to figure it out.

It is a close relative of the Paloma because of the grapefruit juice and tequila but the amaretto really adds a zing! of flavor and sweetness that smooths out any harshness from either the tequila or the grapefruit.

You can also add club soda to dilute it a little and make it sparkly. I prefer it that way because I am not big into heavy alcohol flavors. I don't drink to get drunk (usually) and I'm not 18 anymore (yeah, the drinking age was 18 back then), so I tend to add some club soda to almost everything I make.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for this recipe.

🤫 Cook's secrets -

To get the most juice out of your limes, roll them firmly on the countertop before cutting. This helps break down the membranes inside, releasing more juice.

🍴 Equipment

  1. cocktail shaker
  2. muddler
  3. jigger
  4. highball glasses
  5. strainer

Marye's Tip

Use high-quality tequila for the best flavor. A good reposado or blanco tequila will make a big difference in the taste of your cocktail.

💭 Things to know

  • Adjust the sweetness by adding a little sugar or simple syrup to suit your taste.
  • For a spicy kick, muddle a few slices of jalapeño with the lime and mint.
  • Make sure to serve the cocktail over plenty of ice to keep it chilled and refreshing.
Reposado tequila, grapefruit, and amaretto make up this refreshing Durango cocktail. from RestlessChipotle.com

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!

Can I use a different spirit instead of tequila?

Yes, this cocktail also works well with vodka or rum.

What if I don't have a muddler?

You can use the back of a spoon or a rolling pin to muddle the ingredients.

Delicious Durango cocktail is made with reposado tequila, grapefruit, and amaretto. SO yummy! From RestlessChipotle.com

📚 Related recipes

  • Closeup of a mango tequila sunrise garnished with an orange and a cherry.
    Mango Tequila Sunrise Recipe
  • Closeup of the grapefruit tequila sour cocktail in a glass.
    Grapefruit Tequila Sour
  • Key lime pie margarita on a table.
    Key Lime Pie Margarita
  • This grapefruit vodka cocktail is sweet, tangy, and spicy. Kind of like a grapefruit Moscow Mule. From RestlessChipotle.com
    Ruby Slipper Grapefruit Vodka Cocktail

📞 The last word

The Durango cocktail is a delicious brunch beverage recipe that's made with tequila, amaretto, and grapefruit juice. I've sweetened it up a little by using Rio Star grapefruit but if you're outside of Texas you can use Ruby Red with a splash of grenadine.

The mellow almond flavor of the amaretto smooths out any possible harshness from the tequila or the grapefruit. You just get a refreshing sip with a sweet-tangy finish.

If you can start with a Rio Star grapefruit and use fresh squeezed juice you'll end up with an amazing flavor and gorgeous color. If you can't find Rio Star (it might be a Texas thing?) then use ruby red grapefruit juice and add a splash of grenadine.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

A cocktail on a dark background with title text overlay for Pinterest.

Durango Cocktail

4.67 from 3 votes
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
This refreshing cocktail is made with grapefruit juice, reposado tequila, and amaretto for a smooth, refreshing drink that's as good at brunch as it is in the evening.
Course Beverage - Cocktail
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes minutes
Servings:1
Calories:203
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces reposado tequila
  • 2 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed Rio Star, or any ruby red
  • ½ ounce amaretto
  • ⅛ lime, slice
  • Dash grenadine, optional
  • club soda, optional
  • ice cubes

Instructions

  • Add teh tequila, grapefruit juice, and amaretto (plus grenadine if desired) to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  • Shake a minute or so.
  • Strain into an on the rocks glass filled with ice.
  • Squeeze in the lime and stir.
  • Top off with club soda as desired.
  • Garnish with lime.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 91mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 17.7mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

✍🏻 A note from Marye...

I know y'all don't always like the stories bloggers tell so when I have one I try to put it at the very bottom so you can read or skip as you like.

April 2017

Believe it or not this Durango cocktail recipe was supposed to go live last Friday. I'm not sure what happened but in between meetings, shopping, picking a sick kid up from school, and leaving town for a conference I didn't get a thing written beyond my recipe notes.Then I spent the first half of this week in Austin and the last two days trying to get client work done. Hopefully if I work nonstop and forgo sleep I'll be caught up by Monday. I'm only half kidding.

It was worth it though. In Austin I got to hang out with some of my favorite food bloggers, meet bloggers I hadn't met before, and pick the brains of some of the super-bloggers that we all know and love. I came away with a few great ideas and hopefully some ways to make Restless Chipotle even better.

First published April 8, 2017. Last updated June 16, 2024 for editorial improvements.



More Cocktails, Beverages, Drinks, Punches, and Libations of All Kinds

  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail
  • Close up of a cranberry whiskey sour in an on the rocks glass.
    Cranberry Whiskey Sour
  • Closeup of a frozen banana margarita.
    Frozen Banana Margarita
  • A closeup of a stemmed glaass of lavender punch with a lemon garnish.
    Disney Princess Party: Lavender Punch

Love it? Share it!

2.1K shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Rene says

    April 18, 2017 at 12:12 pm

    Hi Marye , my name is Rene i live in South Texas wasn't looking for drink recipes but stumbled upon your web site and had to drop you a line regarding drink " Durango Cocktail " . Wow those drinks " Spicy Peach Tequila Sour " both look so delicious can't wait to have one of each thanks for sharing all your recipes .

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      April 25, 2017 at 10:54 am

      🙂 let me know what you think. 🙂

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

Find out more

🍉 Memorial Day

  • Overhead view of potato salad in a glass bowl
    Mom's Homemade Potato Salad

  • Overhead view of the finished watermelon basket filled with an assortment of fruit.
    How to Make a Watermelon Basket

  • Closeup of a finished hamburger in a bun.
    Retro Lipton Onion Soup Burger (Vintage Recipe)

  • Closeup of a star shaped cake covered in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles.
    Zebra Cake Recipe: Little Debbie Copycat

🧢 Father's Day

  • Close up of chicken breast that's been grilled.
    Awesome Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast Wrapped in Bacon

  • Closeup image of sausage cheese dip.
    Rotel Sausage Dip

  • Closeup overhead view of the macaroni salad in a bowl with a spoon in it for serving.
    BBQ Macaroni Salad Texas Style

  • Close up of a piece of cake.
    Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
    Slow Cooker Angel Chicken

  • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
    Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe

  • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
    Crispy Pan Fried Potatoes

  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail

  • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
    Easy English Muffin Bread Recipe – Perfect for Toasting (No Kneading!)

  • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
    No-Fail Amish White Bread

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured In:

Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright ©2006 - 2025 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.