Toreador: The Story Behind The Tequila-Based Cocktail Before Your Fun Friday Night

Garima Johar

Updated:Feb 22, 2024

Tequila! From the famous shots to everyone’s favourite Margarita, tequila has made its way to everyone’s drinks. But did you know it all started with Toreador, the cocktail that gave life to Margarita, Paloma, and other tequila-based drinks?

Toreador: The Story Behind The Tequila-Based Cocktail

Image Credit: Unsplash

Friday nights are reserved to take some load off work, catch up with friends, and try out new cocktails. In the world of mixology, each cocktail is celebrated for its unique taste and flavour. While you might only remember Margarita when asked about cocktails that are made from tequila, there’s another cocktail that predates its fame – Toreador.

Toreador has a tangy flavour that is made with tequila, apricot, and lime. While it is sometimes overshadowed by its younger sibling, Toreador has a rich history and a unique flavour, making it a must-try cocktail for your fun Friday night. But before that, why don’t you know a little bit about its origin and variations, followed by an easy-to-follow recipe?

A Brief History of Toreador

The first mentions of Toreador happened back in 1937 when it was published in the Cafe Royal Cocktail Book. It was included in the list of 15 tequila cocktails that were curated by an influential bartender, William J Tarling. As the years passed, only two of those cocktails are still remembered, one being Toreador and another Picador, which is almost identical to today’s Margarita.

Toreador’s main ingredients are tequila, apricot brandy, and lemon juice, giving it a unique zesty flavour. So, to all the Margarita fans, don’t forget to try that cocktail that was one of the most popular variants 16 years before the recipe of Margarita was even written.

Variations Of Toreador

Thanks to the great adaptability of Toreador, many variations have received appreciation over the years. You can try the variations as per your preference