In the event you’re on the lookout for tequila cocktails to serve at your Cinco de Mayo get together which might be slightly extra thrilling than the usual marg, you’ve got come to the proper place. Whether or not you are already a seasoned tequila fan or simply hoping to impress your folks with one thing new, this roundup is filled with distinctive tequila cocktail recipes that transcend lime and salt.
We’re speaking jalapeño-infused margaritas, cocktails made with guava nectar and black rimming salt, and one standout spiked with firewater bitters that’ll warmth issues up quick. (Scrappy’s Firewater Tincture or Bittermen’s Hellfire is our go-to — simply ask my dad, who brings it out at each get together prefer it’s a celebration trick. It all the time is.)
And in case you’re seeking to inventory your Cinco de Mayo bar cart with one thing slightly completely different this yr? We’ve acquired concepts. From jalapeño tequila (sure, you should purchase it pre-infused) to coconut water mixers and tamarind soda, right here’s tips on how to stage issues up — plus a couple of fast snack concepts to maintain the vibes robust and your company fed.
Bounce to the recipes ↓
What’s the Distinction Between Tequila and Mezcal?
We can’t bore you with an extended agave dissertation, however right here’s the fast model: All mezcal is tequila, however not all tequila is mezcal.
“The important thing differentiator is that whereas mezcal could be produced from many types of agave, tequila can solely be produced from one: blue agave,” Autumn Chiklis, co-founder of The Pink Pig Tequila defined to us. (See our full deep-dive right here)
Tequila is made particularly from blue Weber agave and normally has a smoother, extra acquainted taste. Mezcal, then again, could be produced from quite a lot of agave varieties and is usually roasted in underground pits, giving it that signature smoky kick.
TL;DR: Use tequila if you’d like vivid and clear, mezcal in case you’re going for earthy, smoky, and daring. We like swapping mezcal right into a margarita base after we need one thing that feels slightly extra intense — or utilizing a half-tequila, half-mezcal break up to strike a stability.
The right way to Infuse Tequila at House
Home made infused tequila = huge taste payoff, little or no effort. Simply add your ingredient of option to a bottle of blanco tequila, let it sit for 1–3 days, then pressure. Listed below are a couple of enjoyable combos we love:
• Jalapeño slices + lime peel = spicy, vivid margarita base
• Pineapple chunks + cinnamon stick = nice in a bitter
• Mango slices + recent ginger = tropical vibes with slightly zing
• Strawberries + black peppercorns = an excellent base for a tequila spritz
Professional tip: Use a wide-mouth mason jar in case you’re experimenting with small batches.
Finest Components to Inventory for a Cinco de Mayo Bar Cart
If you wish to combine exterior the margarita field, these elements will take your cocktail recreation up a notch:
• Jalapeño tequila (infused or store-bought — we just like the Casamigos’ Jalapeño Tequila)
• Guava nectar (for a simple sweet-tart base)
• Tamarind soda (nice with a squeeze of lime and a salted rim)
• Coconut water (clean, hydrating, and superb in a shaken tequila drink)
• Scrappy’s Firewater Bitters or Bittermen’s Hellfire Shrub (a single drop = immediate warmth)
• Black salt or Tajin (rim improve!)
• Citrus wheels + recent herbs (garnishes that really feel like effort, even when they’re not)
The place to Purchase Jalapeño Tequila (or The right way to Make Your Personal)
You possibly can completely purchase it — manufacturers like Casamigos, Tanteo, and 21 Seeds make stable jalapeño tequila that’s party-ready straight from the bottle. However if you wish to DIY, simply slice a jalapeño (seeds and all if you’d like critical warmth), add it to a bottle of tequila, and let it sit for 1–2 days.
Scorching tip: Style it after 24 hours — you possibly can all the time infuse longer, however you can’t tone it down if it will get too spicy. And do not toss the infused peppers — they’re nice in tacos or nachos.
Artistic Tequila Cocktail Recipes
Shake up your ordinary unfold with these enjoyable and vivid cocktail recipes. We acquired concepts from top-shelf tequila manufacturers, high-end cocktail bars, acclaimed cooks, and naturally, our personal Take a look at Kitchen. These recipes are examined, scrumptious, and straightforward to scale up for a crowd.
Spicy & Daring
Jalapeño Diablo by Porchlight
Not your common spicy marg. This one brings the warmth with jalapeño-infused tequila and a home made ginger syrup, however cools it down simply sufficient to maintain you coming again for sip two (and three). This one is restaurant-quality (actually) because it comes from the cocktail bar, Porchlight in Manhattan.
Casamigos Spicy Jalapeño Margarita
Traditional spicy marg vibes, however smoother — and only a contact elevated. In the event you’re internet hosting a bunch, this one’s a assured crowd-pleaser.
Water on the Smoke
The title alone sounds mysterious, however this one’s all about stability: mezcal, aperol, recent citrus, and slightly watermelon juice preserve issues attention-grabbing.
Charred purple pepper & strawberry margarita
Roasted purple pepper in a marg? Belief. It provides a savory depth that makes the strawberry pop much more. Nice for impressing your most cocktail-savvy buddies.
Fruity & Refreshing
Mango Marg-a-go-go
Brilliant, juicy, and simply the correct amount of tangy. This mango-forward marg made with Zarpado Blanco virtually begs to be served poolside. A black salt rim is a simple manner so as to add aptitude and slightly one thing sudden.
Espolón Guavabuena
Guava nectar meets Espolón Reposado for a punchy, barely floral sip that tastes like trip in a glass — no airplane ticket required. An excellent selection if you’d like one thing extra fizzy than a median margarita.
La Piña Margarita by Casamigos
Suppose smoky-sweet roasted pineapple, shaken right into a golden hour-worthy margarita. It’s tropical, however make it elegant.
Watermelon Margarita
Contemporary watermelon juice + reposado tequila = dangerously straightforward to drink. Serve it with a salted rim and let individuals assume you labored tougher than you probably did.
Hibiscus margarita
Floral, tart, and vivid magenta — if an everyday margarita acquired dressed up for date evening, this could be it.
Smoky & Sipping-Worthy
Smoky Casa Margarita
A mezcal-forward twist with orange, cinnamon, and a dramatic charred peel. It is daring, complicated, and principally a cocktail in its going-out garments. One other spectacular, but straightforward tequila cocktail from Casamigos.
Desert Fowl Cocktail
This one’s giving tequila tiki — slightly smoky, slightly fruity, and 100% constructed for sipping underneath string lights or desert stars.
Smoked mandarin & ginger paloma
This Paloma brings main taste vitality: smoky citrus, recent ginger, and that excellent grapefruit zip. An excellent decide if you’d like one thing bubbly however sudden.
Smoky Pear & Ginger Margarita
Candy pear, spicy ginger, and a mezcal kick. It is cozy however nonetheless refreshing — sort of like a knit costume on your style buds
Surprising Twists
Tequila manhattan
A moody, spirit-forward riff for the whiskey crowd. Swap the bourbon for añejo tequila and abruptly Manhattan feels prefer it belongs at each get together.
Simple Cinco de Mayo Occasion Snacks
Pair your cocktails with these crowd-pleasing snacks straight from our Take a look at Kitchen
Grilled Steak Nachos
Elote-Model Cotija Cheese Quesadillas
Guacamole with Tequila & Apples
Jalapeño-Marinated Hen Tacos With Watermelon Salsa
Mexican Road Corn Salad
8-Layer Bean Dip
Able to Shake (or Stir) Issues Up?
Whether or not you are internet hosting a yard bash or a comfortable get-together, these distinctive tequila cocktails are positive to impress. From spicy jalapeño infusions to smoky mezcal twists, there’s one thing for each palate.
Query for you: Which cocktail are you most excited to do that Cinco de Mayo? Share your ideas within the feedback beneath!
