Mixing different types of alcohol together in one drink can result in a fun and flavorful cocktail. Two popular types of liquor to combine are vodka and tequila. Vodka is a clear spirit most commonly made from grains or potatoes. It has a smooth, crisp taste. Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant and originates from Mexico. It has an earthy flavor with hints of citrus and spice. When you mix vodka and tequila together, the resulting cocktail is often referred to as a Matador.
What is a Matador?
A Matador is the name given to a cocktail made by mixing vodka and tequila together. It is a popular drink at bars and parties because it combines two widely enjoyed liquors. The Matador allows you to experience the straightforward and subtle flavors of vodka blended with the robust, Southwest inspired taste of tequila.
This cocktail has a few other common names as well. It may also be called a Tequila Russian, Mexiroska, or Vodquila. But Matador is the most frequently used term. The two base alcohols pair surprisingly well together to create a drink that is fruity, citrusy, and packs quite the punch. The Matador is usually made with equal parts vodka and tequila. The combination results in a clear drink with the aromas of agave and grain.
Matador Cocktail Recipes
There are many popular recipes for making a Matador cocktail:
Basic Matador
The most straightforward version is an equal mix of vodka and tequila, served over ice:
- 1 1⁄2 ounces vodka
- 1 1⁄2 ounces white tequila
- Ice cubes
Add the vodka and tequila to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice cubes. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Matador Citrus
For a citrusy twist, you can add orange liqueur and fresh lime juice:
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce white tequila
- 1⁄2 ounce triple sec
- 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
- Lime slice for garnish
Combine vodka, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime slice.
Spicy Matador
Adding jalapeño tequila and hot sauce creates a spicy, bold Matador:
- 1 1⁄2 ounces jalapeño tequila
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 dashes hot sauce
- Jalapeño slice for garnish
In a shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, vodka, lime juice, and hot sauce. Shake and strain into an ice-filled old fashioned glass. Garnish with the jalapeño slice.
Matador Cocktail Variations
There are many ways to put creative twists on the classic Matador by adding new mixers and garnishes:
Fruity Matador
For a fruit-flavored drink, muddle berries in the bottom of a shaker before adding the other ingredients:
- 4 blackberries
- 4 raspberries
- 2 strawberries
- 1 1⁄2 ounces vodka
- 1 1⁄2 ounces white tequila
- 1⁄2 ounce agave nectar
- 2 ounces soda water
In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Add the vodka, tequila, and agave nectar. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Top with soda water.
Matador Margarita
Mix with lime juice and orange liqueur for a Matador twist on a margarita:
- 1 1⁄2 ounces tequila
- 1 1⁄2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1⁄2 ounce orange liqueur
- Lime wedge for garnish
Combine the tequila, vodka, lime juice, and orange liqueur in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with the lime wedge.
Caribbean Matador
For tropical flavors, add coconut rum and pineapple juice:
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce white tequila
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Add all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a hurricane glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with the pineapple wedge.
The Popularity of the Matador Cocktail
The Matador has steadily grown in popularity over the past couple decades. As vodka became more commonplace at bars in the later 20th century, bartenders began experimenting with mixing it with other liquors. The pairing of vodka’s neutral taste with tequila’s bold flavor proved to be a big hit.
Unlike some other mixed drinks like the Long Island Iced Tea, the Matador highlights and complements the flavors of both base spirits. The balance of vodka and tequila creates an intriguing taste combination you can’t quite get from anything else.
This cocktail is also often enjoyed as a shot. The blend of vodka and tequila makes for a smooth, flavorful shot that goes down easy. Tequila on its own can have quite a kick, but mixing it with vodka tempers that intensity.
The Matador shot rose to popularity especially during the 1990s and 2000s. It became a staple at college parties and bars for its smooth drinkability and potency. While it may not be as trendy as some craft cocktails today, the Matador remains a go-to choice for its simplicity and party-ready flair.
Matador Cocktail Popularity by Year
| Year | Popularity Level |
|---|---|
| 1980 | Low |
| 1990 | Moderate |
| 2000 | High |
| 2010 | Declining |
The Flavor Profile of a Matador
When tasting a Matador cocktail, your palate will pick up on flavors from both the vodka and tequila. Here are some of the most notable tastes:
- Fruitiness – Tequila has fruity notes like citrus, mango, apple, and pineapple. These fruity essences come through in the drink.
- Black pepper – The spiciness of black pepper is often detected in tequilas, balancing out the sweet fruitiness.
- Vanilla – Vodkas are sometimes infused with vanilla, contributing a creamy, sweet taste.
- Grain – The neutral grain base of vodka adds subtle bread-like or cereal flavors.
- Mint – Tequila has a fresh herbal quality reminiscent of mint or anise.
- Heat – Tequila brings a touch of spicy heat that vodka’s smoothness tempers.
The complexity of the Matador comes from how the agave flavors intersect with the straightforward vodka tastes. The overall impression is a drink that starts sweet and fruity, then opens up into peppery, herbal layers. It makes for an intriguing spirit that keeps you coming back for more sips to further explore the taste.
Should You Mix Vodka and Tequila?
While the Matador is a popular cocktail, some argue that mixing vodka and tequila is a waste of good liquor. Since both spirits have bold, complex flavors, why blend two quality liquors together? Wouldn’t that just make them lose what makes them distinctive?
Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind:
Pros
- Creates a smooth, easy-drinking cocktail
- Balances the spice of tequila with vodka’s subtlety
- Combines two crowd-pleasing liquors
- Allows you to taste both in one drink
- More cost-effective for cocktails than sipping liquors straight
Cons
- Obscures the nuances of the individual spirits
- Prevents you from savoring tequila’s complex agave flavors
- Won’t provide the full experience of sipping a high-end vodka
- Can seem like an unimaginative combination
Whether you think the Matador is an ingenious blend or a waste of vodka and tequila depends largely on how you enjoy your spirits. If you prefer savoring liquors slowly and appreciating their subtleties, you may not like the combination. But if you mainly drink in cocktail form for a fun social experience, the blend of vodka and tequila can be exciting.
The Matador is generally not regarded as a highbrow, artisanal cocktail. You wouldn’t necessarily use your finest boutique vodka or aged tequila blanco to mix this drink. Save those bottles for sipping on their own. But for creating an accessible party cocktail, the blend of decent well vodka and blanco tequila makes for an enjoyable combo.
How to Make the Perfect Matador Cocktail
While the Matador may seem simple to make with just two base spirits, there are some tips that can elevate the cocktail:
- Use good quality mixers – Choose vodkas like Tito’s or Russian Standard and tequilas like Espolòn Blanco or Cazadores.
- Mix in equal ratios – Let both liquors shine by combining them 1:1 or 1.5:1.5 ounces.
- Add a flavor twist – Citrus juices, agave nectar, herbs, peppers, etc. complement the blend.
- Skip the soda – Carbonation can make the drink too busy; opt for pure ingredients.
- Shake it icy cold – Shake vigorously with plenty of ice until well chilled.
- Garnish with flair – Lime wedges, sliced jalapeños, or berries make fun garnishes.
- Use proper glassware – Serve in a rocks, Collins, or cocktail glass depending on additions.
The Matador has room for creativity in terms of additional ingredients but keep the base spirits front and center. Use quality mixers, combine in equal balance, and shake thoroughly for optimal flavor. Garnish with something bold to complement the drink’s kick. With the right technique, you can craft an awesome signature Matador cocktail.
Fun Facts About the Matador
Beyond being a tasty cocktail, the Matador has some fascinating history and trivia behind it:
- A tequila Matador is served flambéed in some restaurants for dramatic presentation.
- Getting its name from bullfighting culture, the drink packs a metaphorical “punch.”
- It’s believed the Matador originated in 1990s Mexico as tourism boomed.
- In Spain, the Matador is often made with rum instead of vodka.
- At around 60 proof, the standard Matador is significantly stronger than most cocktails.
- Some recipes call for just 3⁄4 ounce of each base spirit for a less potent version.
- The classic Matador is gluten-free, with no need for added syrups or liqueurs.
- A “Prairie Fire Matador” includes a few drops of hot sauce for extra kick.
So next time you’re looking for an exciting cocktail that’s a bit out of the ordinary, give the Matador a try. The blend of vodka and tequila might just become your new go-to drink!
Conclusion
The Matador cocktail combines smooth vodka and robust tequila for a flavorful mixed drink experience. While not the most sophisticated or artisanal mixed drink, it offers an addictive blend of grain character from the vodka and fruity agave kick from the tequila. Its smooth drinkability as a shot and mixability as a cocktail make the Matador a party pleaser. Just stay aware of its higher than average alcohol content. Sipped slowly and made with care, the Matador can be a delightfully fun change of pace to enjoy with friends. Slàinte!