Cream and Sugar

• Cream tequila liqueurs are the south-of-the-border counterparts of Irish cream liqueurs. Instead of an Irish whiskey base, cream tequilas have a tequila one -- usually a blanco or white tequila. Most of the creaminess of cream tequila comes from creme liqueurs, which are usually made with grain alcohol and have a high sugar concentration and a lower alcohol content. Some cream tequila liqueurs substitute the creme liqueur and sugar with agave syrup and other ingredients. Most cream tequilas are about 30 proof and have an alcohol by volume of 15 percent.

A Rainbow of Flavors

• If you are going to have cream, then you might as well throw some flavor into the mix. The two most common flavors of cream tequila liqueur are strawberry and coffee. The strawberry-flavored cream tequila tastes like strawberries and cream with a hint and aftertaste of tequila. The coffee-flavored one has hints of vanilla, cinnamon, nuts and milk chocolate that blend with the tequila's natural earthy and herbal flavors. Other cream tequila liqueur flavors include mocha, orange, grape, cherry and black raspberry.

Cream of Cocktails

• Mixed drinks with cream tequila liqueur fall into the dessert cocktail camp, due to their sweet, creamy nature. Most cream tequilas will go well on the rocks for a nice after-dinner sipping drink. Drinks with strawberry cream tequila include the blueberry muffin, which is equal parts raspberry liqueur and strawberry tequila cream with a few splashes of milk, and the cherry popper, which is equal parts strawberry tequila cream and Irish cream. For a drink with the coffee-flavored one try the Mexican hot chocolate, which is 2 parts each tequila and creme de cacao, 1 part each coffee-flavored cream tequila and chocolate liqueur served chilled and up in a martini glass.

Going After Your Creams

• If you're not sold on buying a cream tequila, then make some of your own. To make cream tequila liqueur at home, you just need dairy products, vanilla extract, choice of flavoring and, of course, tequila. Pour 2 parts white or gold tequila, 4 parts whipping cream, 6 parts sweetened condensed milk, a few dashes of vanilla extract and one part of your intended flavor -- for chocolate or strawberry flavors, add dessert or dairy drink syrups; for coffee, try double-strength coffee; and for other flavors, coffee drink syrups will work.