Save the $15 and be your own bartender (again) this Cinco de Mayo. The holiday falls on a Wednesday, but you can pretend it’s Taco Tuesday and celebrate like it’s a Friday! There are so many Mexican-inspired cocktail recipes out there for you to try, especially if you want to navigate away from the traditional margarita. Luckily, we’ve rounded up 10 of our current faves to inspire your inner mixologist this Cinco! From light and fruity spritzes, to canned deliciousness to some spicy jalapeño-infused concoctions, there is something for everybody in this list.
Stock up on tonics, limes, lemons, fun barware and your favorite liquors to make this Cinco de Mayo a *boozy* one!
1. La Valoma Cocktail
Va-va-voom! Spice up your typical Paloma by using new tequila brand, Volcan de Mi Tierra by Mexican native Gela Gallardo. Imagine yourself basking in the spring sunshine while sipping on this delicious cocktail made of fresh lime juice, fresh grapefruit juice, agave syrup, some soda water, a pinch of salt & of course, some Volcan de Mi Tierra. To make your cocktail, combine the Volcan Blanco, fresh lime and grapefruit juice, salt, and agave syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over ice in a highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge. Enjoy!
2. Fresh Ink Smoked Margarita
Regular margs are so yesterday. We’ve got here for you a Fresh Ink Smoked Margarita made with some smoky paprika and sea salt for that fiery flavor, sans Mezcal. This recipe combines PATRÓN Silver, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice and agave nectar, with the addition of that smoked paprika, smoked sea salt and a lime. To make, prepare a rocks glass by moistening the rim and rolling it in smoked sea salt. Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to chill. Fine strain over fresh ice cubes in the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime and a dusting of smoked paprika. In partnership with JonBoy, you can purchases these ingredients to make a Fresh Ink Smoked Margarita at home through Cocktail Courier.
3. The Cold Brew Margarita
A resurgence of the espresso martini has me absolutely invested in this tequila-based caffeine-fueled cocktail. Using 1 oz of Cointreau, an orange-flavored triple sec liqueur, 2 oz of your fave tequila, 1 oz of cold brew and .5 oz of oat milk (dairy free, ya’ll!), this Cold Brew Margarita will add a little spring in your step this Cinco de Mayo! Add all ingredients into a share, add ice and shake. Strain into a glass. Drink should have a thin layer of foam on top. Garnish with espresso beans!
4. Granada Amarga
Granada? De nada! Indulge in favorite Clase Azul Blanco tequila and pomegranate flavors with this refreshing Granada Amarga. Mix together 1.5 oz of the tequila, 1 oz of Campari, 3/4 oz of La Pinta Pomegranate Liqueur and 1/4 oz of Sweet Vermouth for 15-20 seconds then pour over a big ice cube. Garnish with orange peel. Voilá!
5. Spicy Cucumber Margarita
Spice things up this Cinco de Mayo with a Spicy Cucumber Margarita! Get that muddler ready along with 2 ounces of Corralejo Tequila Silver, 4 slices of cucumber, 2 slices of jalapeño, ¾ ounces of agave syrup and 1 ounce of lime juice. Add cucumber and jalapeño to the shaker and gently muddle before adding the rest of the ingredients to the shaker. Shake to chill and combine ingredients. Rim a low-ball glass with salt and pour in the cocktail over ice to enjoy.
6. Ginger Spiced Old Fashioned
Cinco de Mayo meets your typical Old Fashioned with this delicious cocktail recipe! Using Avión Añejo/Reposado, combine Ginger Syrup, two dashes of Angostura Bitters and 1 dash of orange bitters for some indulgent sipping.
7. Onda Sparkling Tequila
If you aren’t the best bartender out there, you can still be the hostess with the mostest this Cinco de Mayo by serving up one of the newest canned cocktails on the market: Onda Sparkling Tequila. Coming in a vibrant Lime and tangy Grapefruit, Onda is made with Blanco tequila from a woman-owned distillery in Jalisco, Mexico and only high-integrity, natural ingredients. Each 12 oz can is 5% ABV, 100 calories, zero sugar, 1G carb or less and naturally gluten free.
8. Dano’s Summer Sangria
Dream of upcoming summer days as your sip on this Dano’s Summer Sangria this May 5th, made with a Pineapple & Jalapeño Tequila. YUM! Combine 1 chilled bottle of Rosé (we love Whispering Angel!), 4 oz of Dano’s Pineapple & Jalapeño Tequila, 3 oz of Triple Sec, 3 oz of lime juice, and 8 ounces of OJ. Add fresh fruit like strawberries, pineapple, and lime wedges. Include jalapeño slices for extra spice and serve over ice. This sangria is perfect if you’re hosting a small group for the holiday, as it makes 4-6 servings. Also, made with absolutely zero additives, Dano’s Tequila is exclusively produced in the second oldest tequila distillery in the world — Hacienda De Reyes — a fourth-generation, female-owned distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. Dano’s is dedicated to producing the most traditional and cleanest tequilas in the market, using the authentic methods that have been in place since the Hacienda’s founding in 1840. So cool!
9. Casamigos Margarita Light
If you’re trying to master the skinny marg and try to keep that summer body in tact while celebrating Cinco de Mayo, the Casamigos Margarita Light recipe will taste good and without the extra cals! To make, combine 1.5 oz of Casamigos Blanco Tequila with 1 oz of fresh lime juice, .5 oz of agave nectar and 2 dashes of orange bitters into a tin shaker Add ice, shake vigorously, and then strain into rocks glass. Garnish with a half-moon orange slice and enjoy your low-cal, delicious beveragino!
10. DeLeón Coco Horchata Colada
Twist up your traditional piña colada this Cinco de Mayo with some tequila! The DeLeón Coco Horchata Colada is a sweet cocktail that gives you the pineapple and coconut flavors of a piña, but spices it up with tequila for the Mexican celebration. Combine 1 1/2 oz of DeLeón Reposado Tequila, 1 oz of coconut cream, 2 oz of horchata, 1/2 oz of fresh lime juice, 1/2 oz of pineapple syrup and 3 dashes Mexican molé bitters into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and then strain into an ice filled margarita glass. Garnish with a pineapple slice and leaves, cinnamon stick & dried lime for a festive cocktail presentation.