Elegant Tequila Cocktails That Will Elevate Your Cinco De Mayo
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While Cinco de Mayo may be a primarily American holiday, there's no denying the popularity of the Mexican-themed celebration has made it a major holiday for cocktail lovers stateside. And while there will certainly be no shortage of bars and restaurants offering up margaritas and tequila shots on May 5th, you don't need to brave the crowds (or overspend on an underwhelming drink) to embrace some agave love this year. Whether you're into a traditional margarita or prefer to shake things up with a smokey Mezcal drink, the delicious options on this list are a snap to make at home.
Classic Margarita
Ingredients
2 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
1 oz lime juice
1 lime cut into wedges
Instructions
Salt the glasses rim by dipping wet glass rim into salt dish and rotating. Combine all ingredients into a shaker, shake well and strain into the rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
More: The Best Tequila Brands to Use for Margaritas
The Luxe Margarita
Ingredients
1 oz blanco tequila
1 oz Cointreau
.5 oz fresh lime juice
1 champagne float
3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
Instructions
Add Cointreau, tequila and lime juice into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled champagne coup. Top with champagne and bitters. Garnish with a rose petal.
El Coco Carlos
Ingredients
2 oz Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila
1 oz coconut water
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz agave syrup
Orange wedge
Instructions
Start by muddling an orange wedge in your shaker, then combine the rest of the ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously with ice. Strain into a salted rocks glass over one giant cube. Garnish with an orange spiral.
By Chas Martin and Benji Homsey at The Charles in Dallas.
Mezcal Spritz
Ingredients
1 oz Mezcal Campante
1 oz Aperol
1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
.30 oz Agave Syrup
3 oz Soda Water
Instructions
Add all ingredients (except soda) into a glass. Add ice to the top of the glass and stir quickly to combine. Top with soda water. Garnish with lemon leaf.
Colsa Martini
Ingredients
1.5 oz Don Julio 70 tequila
.5 oz white vermouth
2 dashes of grapefruit bitters
1 grapefruit twist
Instructions
Combine tequila, vermouth, and grapefruit bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Stir well. Strain contents into a coupe glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
By Mica Rousseau of Mexico City
Fiero Margarita
Ingredients
1.5 oz Patron Silver
.75 oz Martini & Rossi Fiero
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
Instructions
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel, and salt rim.
Reposé Negroni
Ingredients
1 oz Sombra Reposé Mezcal
1 oz rosé wine
1 oz bitter aperitivo liqueur
Orange peel
Instructions
Combine all ingredients into mixing glass with ice. Stir, then strain into rocks glass with ice. Garnish with orange peel (express on glass before garnishing).
The Wrangler
Ingredients
1.5 oz Corralejo Tequila Silver
.25 oz agave nectar
.25 oz grapefruit juice
.25 oz lemon juice
3 dashes grapefruit bitter
3 oz Negro Modelo
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except beer in shaker and shake. Strain into a Collins glass with ice and top with beer. Garnish with citrus twist of choice.
More: Tasty Beer Cocktails
La Palabra
Ingredients
1 oz Teremana Blanco
1 oz lime juice
1 oz maraschino liqueur
1 oz Bitteroma Bianco
Instructions
Combine all ingredients, shake with ice and double strain into a Nick & Nora glass with one Maraschino cherry
By Jake Williamson at Motel Morris
La Piñata
Ingredients
2 oz Blanco Tequila
1 oz pineapple juice
.75 oz lime juice
.5 oz agave
3 sprigs cilantro
Instructions
Tear cilantro and build all ingredients in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake. Double strain over ice in a glass. Garnish with pineapple leaves, a lime wheel, serrano and cilantro.
By Ted Gibson at The Pony Room at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Mexican Martini
Ingredients
2.5 oz Volcán de mi Tierra Tequila Añejo Cristalino
1.5 oz orange liqueur
1.5 oz lime juice
1.5 oz olive brine from the olive jar
Instructions
Shake the ingredients in a shaker full of ice, strain into a martini glass and spritz with the orange zest. Garnish with olives and an optional lime wedge.
My Fair Lady
Ingredients
1.25 oz Herradura Blanco
.75 oz Bols yogurt
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.25 oz honey syrup
5 slices of cucumber
A pinch of Maldon salt
Garnish with a cucumber ribbon
Instructions
Place cucumbers into shaker tin. Add honey syrup and muddle. Add the remaining ingredients into the tin and shake hard. Double strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
From Primrose at Park MGM in Las Vegas
Spicy Pineapple Paloma
Ingredients
2 oz Corralejo Silver
.5 oz grapefruit juice
.5 oz lime juice
half of a serrano pepper, sliced
.75 oz agave syrup
Pineapple soda
Tajín spices (garnish)
Instructions
Add all ingredients, except pineapple soda to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients. Strain over into a tall glass that's been rimmed with Tajín spices. Top with pineapple soda and garnish with a serrano pepper.
Oaxaca Sour
Ingredients
.75 oz Peloton de la Muerte Mezcal
.75 oz Johnnie Walker Black
1 oz simple syrup
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.5 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz Malbec
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the Malbec in a shaker with ice. Shake. Double strain over fresh ice in a Brandy Snifter. Float Malbec.
From Añejo in New York City
Matcha Margarita
Ingredients
2 oz tequila
1 oz Cointreau
.75 fresh lime juice
.5 barspoon matcha green tea powder
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Teremana Spritz
Ingredients
1 oz Teremana Blanco Tequila
1 oz coconut water
.25 oz Aperol
.25 oz agave nectar
.25 oz lemon juice
1.5 oz soda
1.5 oz prosecco
Instructions
Shake all ingredients except soda and prosecco with ice and strain over fresh ice. Top with soda and prosecco. Garnish with an orange peel.
Toasted Coconut Margarita
Ingredients
1.5 oz Hiatus Blanco Tequila
.5 oz Cream of Coconut
.5 oz Lime juice
1 oz Pineapple juice
Three mint leaves
Instructions
In a shaker add tequila, cream of coconut, lime juice and pineapple juice. Shake vigorously and pour into a highball glass. Garnish with three mint leaves.
From Shooters in Fort Lauderdale.
El Mercadido
Ingredients
2 oz mezcal
.75 oz Ancho Reyes verde
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 oz cold brew
.25 oz agave syrup
Angostura bitters
Instructions
Combine all ingredients with ice and stir.
Ranch Water
Ingredients
2 parts Milagro Silver
1.5 parts Fresh Lime Juice
Soda Water to top
Instructions
Fill highball glass with ice, add tequila & fresh lime juice, top with soda water and garnish with a lime wheel.
Hibiscus Cooler
Ingredients
1.5 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
.50 oz agave syrup
.75 oz lime juice
1 0z hibiscus tea
Instructions
Add all ingredients minus soda water to a shaker tin with ice. Shake then strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with dried hibiscus flowers and lime wheel.
Mango Cooler
Ingredients
1.5 oz YaVe Blanco Tequila
.5 oz simple syrup
.5 oz lime juice
10 mango chunks (peeled & diced)
Club soda
Instructions
Muddle mangos in a shaker. Add all ingredients except the soda. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a glass over ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a mango slice.
Mex-Mosa
Ingredients
2 oz tequila
.75 oz simple syrup
.75 oz fresh grapefruit juice
Bottle of prosecco
Instructions
Add tequila, simple syrup, and grapefruit juice to a shaker. Shake and strain into a champagne flute. Top with prosecco and garnish with a mint leaf, strawberry, or orange wedge.
By Paul Lewis and Michael Moody at the Chester in New York City
The Devil’s Margarita
Ingredients
1.5 oz Volcán de mi Tierra Blanco
1 oz lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
.5 oz red wine (fruity)
Instructions
Pour tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup into a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a margarita glass and slowly pour the red wine into the drink using a bar spoon.
Gingerita
Ingredients
2 oz Tequila añejo
.25 oz fresh ginger juice
.5 oz Cointreau
1 oz lime juice
.25 oz agave syrup
Instructions
Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and serve into a nick and nora glass. Garnish with a dehydrated lime slice and lime zest.
From Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Margarita Azul
Ingredients
1 oz Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur
1.5 oz Tequila Partida blanco
.75 part fresh lime juice
.25 part simple syrup
Instructions
Shake all ingredients and pour into a salted rim glass. Garnish with lemon or lime wedge.
Tequila Julep
Ingredients
1.5 oz tequila
Crushed ice
.25 oz simple syrup
6 to 7 mint leaves and sprigs
Instructions
Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup in the bottom of a chilled julep cup. Add tequila and crushed ice. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with mint sprigs.
From Ocho at Hotel Havana in San Antonio, TX
Pomegranate Manarita
Ingredients
2 oz Teremana Blanco
1 oz pomegranate juice
.75 oz lime juice
.5 oz agave nectar
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Mana Daisy
Ingredients
2 oz Teremana Blanco
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.75 oz Passion Fruit Syrup
Splash of Soda
Ingredients
Place lemon juice, passion fruit syrup and tequila into shaker. Shake and add a splash of soda directly to the tin before straining. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with edible flower.
Kiwi Margarita
Ingredients
1 oz Cointreau
1.5 oz mezcal
.75 oz lime juice
3 kiwi slices
3 cilantro sprig
Instructions
Muddle kiwi and cilantro sprigs in shaker tin. Add all other ingredients to shaker. Add ice and shake. Fine strain into rocks glass over a big rock. Garnish with cilantro.
Cinco De Mayo
Ingredients
2 oz Los Magos Sotol
.5 oz Ancho Reyes Verde
3 oz fresh watermelon juice
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
Instructions
Build all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake to chill. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice.
Pink Moon
Ingredients
1.5 oz Mezcal Montelobos Espadín
.5 oz Aperol
.5 oz lime juice
.75 oz grapefruit juice
1.5 rosé
Instructions
Combine and mix all ingredients with 1 cup of ice and blend in blender until smooth. Garnish with half grapefruit round.
Inspiro Social Butterfly
Ingredients
2 oz Inspiro Tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/3 cup of cooled butterfly pea flower tea
.5 oz agave syrup
Instructions
Add Inspiro Tequila, lime juice, agave syrup and stir to combine. Add liquid to a wine glass filled with ice. Pour in the butterfly pea tea water and watch your cocktail turn purple.
El Diablo
Ingredients
2 oz Cincoro Blanco
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz Lejay Cassis
3 oz spicy ginger beer
Instructions
Combine first three ingredients in a glass with ice and stir to combine. Top with ginger beer.
It Takes Dos To Tango
Ingredients
1 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
1 oz mango juice
.5 oz Cointreau
.5 oz lime juice
.25 oz agave nectar
Instructions
Add all ingredients into a mixing tin. Shake and strain into a large rocks glass rimmed with salt and sugar.
Citrus Fizz
Ingredients
1.5 oz Tesoro tequila
1 oz citrus syrup
.5 oz lime juice
Topo Chico
Instructions
Pour tequila, citrus syrup and lime juice into cocktail shaker, shake, and strain into salted rim doubles rock glass. Top with Topo Chico.
From Aldama
Margariticus
Ingredients
25 ML Tequila Blanco
35 ML Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
20 ML lemon juice
Instructions
Shake all ingredients together with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Tepozán Negroni
Ingredients
1 oz Tepozán Añejo
1 oz Campari or Cappelletti
1 oz Carpano Antica Vermouth
Squeeze of orange
Instructions
Combine ingredients in mixing glass with ice, stir, and pour. Garnish with dehydrated orange.
Sparkling Raspberry Rose
Ingredients
1.5 oz Casamigos Blanco Tequila
1 oz lime juice
.75 oz simple syrup
4 raspberries
2 dashes Peychauds Bitters
Top off with sparkling brut rosé
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except brut rosé into tin shaker. Muddle raspberries. Add ice, shake vigorously and fine strain into coupe glass. Top off with sparkling brut rosé and garnish.
Chipotle Irish Coffee
Ingredients
2 oz Tanteo Chipotle Tequila
5 oz espresso
.5 teaspoon granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
Add fresh coffee to glass, stir in white and brown sugar until dissolved. Add Tanteo Chipotle Tequila and stir. Top with whipped cream.
Rye-garita
Ingredients
1.5 oz Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey
.5 oz Orange Liqueur
1 oz Lime Juice
.5 oz Agave Nectar
Instructions
Combine all ingredients with ice and stir.
Bandido Jungle Juice
Ingredients
1.5 oz El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila
.5 oz mezcal
.5 oz Campari
.5 oz orgeat
1 oz pineapple juice
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz grapefruit juice
1 bar spoon Absinthe
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and whip shake with a small amount of ice. Pour into a gorgeous double rocks glass filled with pebble ice.
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