Our 7 Favorite Mexican Cocktails
Much like silver jewelry, festive holidays, and striking fashion, Mexico takes great pride in their delicious cocktails. Using a variety of flavors and inspiration (though mostly centered around tequila and lime), Mexico’s cocktails are known for being refreshing and festive.
Read on to learn our 7 favorite Mexican cocktails, along with recipes to make them all.
First, a story of agave and lime
While Mexican cocktails have a diverse range of ingredients and flavors, there are undoubtedly 2 ingredients that are most common: Tequila (along with its smoky cousin, mezcal) and lime.
Tequila is created from the blue agave plant and is traditionally produced around the city of Tequila in Guadalajara, Mexico. In fact, in order to be called tequila, it has to, by law, be made in Mexico. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made with any number of agave varieties and tastes much smokier than tequila.
Along with lime, tequila and mezcal are drank in all sorts of ways. Neat, on the rocks, as a shot (mostly in America and internationally), and mixed with some other delicious flavors to create some of the most distinct and flavorful drinks in the world.
Margarita
Is there a more iconic cocktail in North America, let alone Mexico, than the margarita? Though this limey indulgence is the most well-known Mexican cocktail, in reality, it is likely more drunk internationally than in Mexico.
That’s not to say that margaritas are not delicious! This refreshing and simple cocktail is popular for a reason!. Just squeeze a whole lime, add some triple sec and tequila, and mix! Salt your brim and you got yourself 1 of the most delicious cocktails in the world.
Want to add some smokiness to your margarita? Try your next margarita with mezcal for a mezcalita.
Margarita recipe
- 2 ounces of blanco tequila (for a little fun, try mezcal instead)
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ ounce of triple sec
- Salt for rim
- Lime wedge
Paloma
While throughout the world many people consider margaritas to be Mexico’s most popular cocktail, if you ask a Mexican what their favorite is you’re likely to hear “Paloma!” You’ll see these simple and tasty cocktails all over cafes and bars on your next trip to Taxco or Mexico City.
While some recipes call for use of soda water and fresh grapefruit juice, we prefer the authentic nature of using Jarritos grapefruit soda instead. We dare you to find a more refreshing beverage on a hot Mexican summer day.
Paloma recipe
- 2 ounces of tequila
- ½ ounce of lime juice
- 4 ounces of grapefruit soda
- Salt for rim
Pineapple and mezcal tonic
Another sweet and fizzy beverage, pineapple and mezcal tonics are a fun variation of the more popular Mexican cocktails like the margarita and paloma.
We recommend combining the pineapple juice, mezcal, and lime juice and chilling in the fridge before serving so you don’t end up with a watery cocktail.
Pineapple and mezcal tonic recipe
- 3 ounces of chilled pineapple juice
- 4 ounces of seltzer water
- 1 ¾ ounces of mezcal
- Splash of lime juice
- Lime wedge
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Charro Negro
Known as a “cowboy cocktail,” charro negro ranks among one of Mexico’s most beloved cocktails. Translated into English as “Black cowboy,” this cocktail is named after Herradura Charro Negro, the traditional cowboy of Mexico who dresses in black to mourn loved ones.
Given the folktale nature of this cocktail, along with its significance mourning loved ones, this cocktail is often drunk to celebrate Día de los Muertos.
Charro negro recipe
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 4 ounces of cola
- Squeeze of lime
Vampiro
If you love nothing more than a spicy bloody mary, then boy do we have a Mexican cocktail for you. The Vampiro takes many cues from the classic American hangover cure, but adds citrus, lime, and a kick of pepper to give this a classic Mexican twist.
Vampiro recipe
- 1 ½ ounces of tequila
- 2 ½ ounces of tomato juice
- 1 ounce of orange juice
- Squeeze of lime
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- ½ slice of onion finely chopped
- 1-3 slices of fresh red hot chili pepper (depending on spice tolerance)
- Few drops of Worcestershire sauce
- Salt for rim
Michelada
While in America and other parts of the world beer cocktails can often be seen as tacky or ruining the integrity of a craft beer, in Mexico it is part of a storied tradition. Beer cocktails have been around for ages and are delicious!
The most iconic of all these beer cocktails is the Michelada, which adds tomato and spices to create a delicious, savory, and spicy beverage. We always recommend a Modelo Especial with your Michelada, but any light lager will work just fine.
One of the special aspects to Micheladas is that everyone’s version is different and most establishments and aficionados have their own subtle twist!
Michelada recipe
- 1 bottle or can of pale lager
- 2 lime wedges, squeezed
- 2 ounces of tomato juice
- ½ ounce of hot sauce
- Few drops of Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Tajín Clásico seasoning for rim
- Salt for rim
Horchata
While this is not technically a cocktail, we wanted to include one of our favorite non-alcoholic beverages on this list, too. While there are many deserving choices, our favorite Mexican treat is horchata.
To make horchata, you must soak water in long grained rice overnight. Once that’s complete, pour out some of the liquid and blend the soaked rice and water, before mixing the blended liquid in with the liquid you poured out. Finish it off by adding some sugar and cinnamon.
This vegan beverage is a favorite of adults and kids alike!
Horchata recipe
- 8 cups of water
- 2 cups of uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
Enjoy one of these cocktails wearing a piece of authentic Mexican jewelry
Mexican Silver Store offers a variety of Mexican silver and gemstone jewelry to let you live every day like a fiesta. Shop our collection of jewelry today to participate in the rich culture of Mexico every day.
