Tequila Bay Breeze
A refreshing highball cocktail that embodies casual elegance with tequila, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. A spirited variation of the classic vodka-based Bay Breeze, offering a more complex and earthy flavor profile.
12%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
highball
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“The Tequila Bay Breeze emerged as a natural evolution of the vodka-based Bay Breeze, likely gaining popularity in the 1980s and 1990s during tequila's rise in American cocktail culture. While it lacks a singular documented origin story, it represents the successful application of the simple "Breeze" template to Mexico's signature spirit. The drink gained momentum alongside the broader trend of substituting tequila in classic cocktails and the health-conscious movement toward simpler, lower-calorie drinks.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Fill a highball glass with fresh, clear ice
Pour in the tequila blanco
Add the cranberry and pineapple juices
Gently stir with a bar spoon for 5-10 seconds to combine and chill
Garnish and serve immediately
Glassware
Served in a highball glass over ice
Garnish
Cut fresh lime wedge
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use 100% agave tequila blanco for the cleanest flavor
Fresh pineapple juice is vastly superior to canned varieties
Keep all ingredients well-chilled before mixing
Use unsweetened cranberry juice for best balance
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Tequila Bay Breeze.
Sweeter Version
Increase pineapple juice to 2 oz for more tropical sweetness
Changes
Tart Version
Increase cranberry juice to 4 oz for more assertive tartness
Changes
Bay Breeze
The original vodka-based version
Changes
Sea Breeze
Uses grapefruit juice instead of pineapple juice
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Malibu Bay Breeze
Beachy highball—coconut rum with pineapple and cranberry over ice.
Bay Breeze
Vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, and pineapple juices for a tropical vodka highball.
Pineapple Tommy's
A tropical Tommy’s riff—blanco tequila with fresh pineapple and lime, lightly sweetened with agave for sunny, fruit‑forward balance.