20 Cocktails to Make for Cinco de Mayo

Over the years, Cinco de Mayo has morphed from a small regional celebration in the Mexican province of Puebla to a margarita-fueled drinking holiday. It is not, according to popular belief, Mexican Independence Day. (That would be September 16.) 

Originally, Cinco de Mayo honored the victory of Mexico over the French military in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. In the mid-20th century, it became a day of political protest for Mexican civil rights on American college campuses with large immigrant populations. Then in the 1980s, breweries interested in tapping into the Mexican market positioned it as a Mexico-themed drinking day, like St. Paddy’s Day. And the unfortunate nickname of “Cinco de Drinko” soon followed.

Despite this fraught history, we here at Wine Enthusiast do still appreciate a good reason to honor Mexican culture and mix a cocktail. With that in mind, we rounded up 20 cocktails,  to help make your Cinco de Mayo party as festive as possible. Whether you’re in the mood for an agave spirit-based concoction, riff on beloved Mexican cocktails or mocktails of classics like the Paloma and margarita, these adult beverages are sure to please.

The Classic Margarita

Stories of the margarita’s origins are as numerous as the variations of the drink. Many drink history books date it back to the 1930s and 1940s. Regardless of its origin, the mixture of lime, tequila and orange liqueur is now one of the most popular cocktails today. Serve on the rocks or frozen.

Tamarind Margarita

Mix a tamarind margarita, featuring the sweet and tangy fruit that’s a popular flavor in Mexican cuisine.

Pineapple Margarita

Bright and balanced, the pineapple margarita brings a fresh, fruity twist to the drink. 

Margarita al Pastor

The Margarita al Pastor is made with fresh mint, basil and cilantro plus pineapple juice and orange liqueur in an homage to the marinade that flavors Mexico’s famed pork tacos.

Virgin Margarita

Yes, you can make a satisfying non-alcoholic margarita. The secret? An NA spirit like Lyre’s Agave Blanco that imparts just the right bite and texture. 

Mezcal Margarita

Where there’s smoke, there’s mezcal—and we love it in this mezcal margarita.

Habanero-Spiked Mezcal Margarita

This spicy margarita gets an extra kick from habanero peppers, plus a vivid green hue from cucumber and absinthe.

Blue Margarita

If you drink for the ‘gram, try this photogenic bright blue adaptation of a margarita, made with Blue Curaçao.

The Guavabonga

Love tropical flavors? Then try the Guavabonga, a mezcal cocktail made with guava jam, sour orange and pineapple.

Tequila Sunrise

Morning cocktail? Yes please. Start Cinco de Mayo with a Tequila Sunrise, an adaptation of a screwdriver made with (you guessed it) tequila, orange juice and a splash of grenadine.

Classic Paloma

The ultimate tequila highball, the classic Paloma is a refreshing mix of grapefruit juice, tequila and soda.

Spicy Paloma

The Paloma is the national cocktail of Mexico and this recipe for a spicy Paloma plays on the punch of citrus provided by the lime and grapefruit with a warming hit of habanero. 

Mugi Paloma

This recipe for the Mugi Paloma trades toasted barley shochu for spirits, offering plenty of flavor but with a lower abv.

Non-Alcoholic Smoky Paloma

Or go completely alcohol free with this NA Paloma recipe.

Michelada

Think of this savory beer-based cocktail as a lighter version of a Bloody Mary, made with lager, Tabasco, Maggi seasoning and lime.

Tepache

Ready for a fermentation project? Then try tepache, an indigenous beverage which is made with pineapple skins, cinnamon, sugar and water left to sit on a counter for at least five days.

Ranch Water

Our most popular recipe from 2022, Ranch Water is a light, refreshing and easy-to-mix combo of tequila, lime and sparkling water (we like Topo Chico for the best results).

Oaxaca Old Fashioned

While agave spirits are often mixed into sour cocktails, they also excel in spirit-forward drinks like the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, a riff on the classic mixed with tequila and mezcal instead of bourbon.

Mexican Martini

The drink of the moment is most definitely a martini. Try this recipe for the Mexican Martini, which features tequila, fresh lime, Cointreau and olive brine for a salty zing.

Tequila-Spiked Hibiscus Sangria

Naturally, we enjoy a wine-based cocktail. Try this sangria, which is spiked with tequila and steeped with dried hibiscus flowers.

More Cocktail Recipe Coverage

• Day drinkers rejoice: these 12 brunch cocktails won’t knock you out by noon.
• Have some extra Prosecco? Then try it in a cocktail.
• Savory cocktails are having a moment.
• That said, savory cocktails are also going too far.
• The sesame martini is taking over the world.

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