Cinco de Mayo commemorates a regional Mexican military battle. Over the years, it’s become a celebration of Mexican culture in the United States with fun parties and events, delicious food, and, especially, exciting cocktails and drinks!
If you’re looking for cocktail and drink ideas to help you celebrate Cinco de Mayo at your holiday parties, family celebrations, or favorite Mexican restaurants, we’ve got you covered, from traditional favorites to flavorful libations.
Ideal for either catering a holiday party, a simple family gathering, or a night out, read on for cocktail recipes and drink ideas that will make your Cinco de Mayo celebration memorable!
What cocktail and drink recipe ideas are perfect for a Cinco de Mayo party?
Whether you’re looking for margaritas, tequila-based drinks, or something with a unique twist, these cocktail and drink recipe ideas are perfect for a Cinco de Mayo party. From classic Mexican beverages to creative concoctions, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.
So, let’s get the party started and explore some of the best cocktail and drink recipes for Cinco de Mayo!
Classic Margarita
Make this must-have for any Cinco de Mayo party with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Serve frozen in a tall glass or on the rocks with a salted rim.
Margarita Pitcher
Why make one margarita when you can make a pitcher? Fill your pitcher halfway full with ice, and add a few lime slices, followed by tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Give it a good stir.
Paloma
Your Cinco de Mayo celebration calls for Mexico’s favorite cocktail! A classic Paloma has a mixture of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda (or grapefruit juice and soda water). It’s light and refreshing, making it a perfect drink after dancing the salsa.
Pineapple Margarita
For the perfect sweet-tart flavor, make this margarita by adding pineapple juice, tequila, orange liquor (Cointreau), and fresh lime juice to your shaker. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Add a pineapple wedge garnish.
Strawberry Margarita
Frosty, fruity, and vivid red, this margarita variation uses frozen strawberries. Break out the blender and add strawberries, tequila, Cointreau or Triple Sec, lime juice, agave syrup, and ice. Add less ice to make it juicier.
Cantarito
This cocktail is served in unglazed clay cups in Mexico. However, in any glass or cup, cantaritos are refreshing cocktails made with citrus juices of grapefruit, orange, and lime. Combine with grapefruit-flavored soda and tequila. Garnish with citrus slices and tajin.
Cadillac Margarita
This upscale version of the classic margarita is typically served in a martini glass with a salted rim. Combine tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and orange juice in a shaker and strain into your glass.
Tequila Sunrise
This classic Mexican cocktail has tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It’s a simple but delicious drink that looks like a sunrise in Cancun!
Skinny Margarita
For a “healthier” option or at least one lower in calories, skip the triple sec but keep the tequila. Add lime juice, orange juice, and light agave nectar.
Jalapeno Margarita
Add muddled jalapeno to your salted margarita glass for a spicy kick. Stir in tequila blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup. Top with extra jalapeños.
Bloody Maria
How do you make a Bloody Mary Mexican? Tequila, of course! Shake tequila with tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, celery salt, and black pepper. Pour in a tall glass and serve with a garnish.
Mayan Michelada
Try this spicy beer-based cocktail! Rim a tall beer glass with cayenne salt. Then, combine joven mezcal with lime juice, agave nectar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, and celery salt. Top with Mexican lager and a lime wedge.
Chelada
For a refreshing Mexican-style beer cocktail, order or make a Chelada. Rim a pint glass with a lime wedge and a mixture of salt and tajin. Then, add a couple of tablespoons of lime juice and a few ice cubes (optional). Finally, pour a light Mexican beer into the glass.
Classic Red Sangria
This classic version of sangria combines red wine, brandy, orange juice, and sugar in a pitcher. Add copious amounts of sliced oranges, lemons, limes, apples, and diced pineapple. Chill the mixture for two hours and serve over ice in a generous wine glass.
Mexican Sangria with Tequila
Combine limes, your choice of peaches or plums, rosé wine, and tequila in a large pitcher. Add the sugar to taste. Refrigerate for about two hours. Add club soda. Scoop out the fruit and it into a glass. Top with wine mixture.
Mexican Mule
This twist on the classic Moscow Mule replaces the vodka with tequila! Stir in lime juice, ginger beer, and a dash of bitters. Serve over ice in a copper mug.
Oaxaca Old Fashioned
Turn a classic mixed drink Mexican with mezcal. Similar to tequila, mezcal derives from roasted agaves. To make a Oaxaca Old Fashioned, add the mezcal to reposado tequila, agave nectar, and Angostura bitters.
Carajillo/Mexican Spiked Coffee
Finish your evening by spiking your coffee with a shot of traditional coffee-flavored liqueur like Kaluha and tequila. Or make a Carajillo by combining a shot of expresso with Liquor 43, a sweet Spanish liquor with a vanilla flavor.
Mexican Horchata Cocktail
Traditional Mexican horchata is a creamy and sweet drink. It’s made with ground rice, cinnamon, evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla, and sugar. To make it a cocktail, add silver tequila and coffee liquor. Serve on the rocks with a garnish of cinnamon, a cinnamon stick, or star anise.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Mexican hot chocolate is a thick, creamy beverage made with warmed milk, cocoa powder, cinnamon, sugar, spices like cinnamon and cayenne, and tequila (optional). It’s a comforting and delicious way to end your Cinco de Mayo party.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with The Refuge
Let The Refuge make your Cinco de Mayo celebration a fiesta to remember! Regardless of size, we’ll cover all your catering needs for your event. Or order your favorites from our takeout menu. You can always visit the restaurant for our great food and drink selection. Stop in, take out, or book your Cinco de Mayo party today with The Refuge – contact us or visit our website.