Get the party started with these Cinco de Mayo drinks!
Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla when Mexico defeated France.
A symbol of perseverance and resistance, this holiday is a time of celebration and honor.
And no fiesta is complete without some festive celebratory drinks!
From classic margaritas to batch cocktails, these are all the drinks you need to commemorate the holiday.
So raise a glass and toast to Mexico with these Cinco de Mayo Drinks. Viva la Mexico!
1. Magical Color Changing Margarita
No, your eyes don’t deceive you. This magical margarita actually changes colors and it’s not some form of trickery.
It’s the result of adding butterfly pea flower to tequila, which changes the color from blue to purple.
Aside from the cool party trick, this margarita has all the usual suspects you want in your classic drink.
Grab the limes, because it’s about to be margarita time. And this is just one of many to come!
2. Pitcher of Margaritas
It wouldn’t be a proper Cinco de Mayo celebration without passing around a pitcher of margaritas. And this batch cocktail couldn’t get any easier!
It entails three easy steps that even the most amateur bartender can handle.
Simply grab a pitcher, pour in the tequila and margarita mix, then stir.
Let the pitcher make its rounds, then mix up another batch.
3. Mexican Sangria Made with Tequila
Another batch cocktail special enough for the holiday is this Mexican sangria. It’s a strong, fruity mix of rose, tequila, club soda, and fruit.
To sweeten things up a bit, you can add a spoonful of sugar. Simple syrup is also a good route to take because the sugar is already dissolved.
As for the fruit, get creative with it. Toss in some citrus fruits, peaches, plums, whatever you like.
4. Spicy Pineapple Margarita
Add some spice to the party with this lively margarita.
The heat of the jalapeno plays up the sweetness of the pineapple for a complementary contrast.
You’ll need to craft the jalapeno simple syrup, then blend it up with fresh pineapple and a few shots of tequila.
The real question here is whether to rim your glass in sugar or salt? I’ll let you decide.
5. Texas Ranch Water
What is Texas ranch water you ask? Only one of the most refreshing cocktails to come out of Texas.
It’s a Tex-Mex creation featuring three simple ingredients: Topo Chico, tequila, and lime.
If you want to get creative with it, try different Topo Chico flavors like grapefruit or tangerine.
This thirst-quencher is low in sugar and a great way to stay cool on the fifth of May.
6. Simple Tequila Sunrise for Cinco de Mayo
Here’s a tequila sunrise made especially for the holiday. It’s a spirited blend of fresh orange juice, Grenadine, and tequila.
Careful, this alluring cocktail is one sneaky devil!
The fruity flavors tend to mask the tequila so well that you hardly even notice there’s any alcohol in the drink.
7. Cantarito
Want something extra special for your Cinco de Mayo bash? The cantarito is the perfect cocktail for your soiree.
Similar to a Paloma, the cantarito consists of tequila, grapefruit soda, orange juice, and lime.
But here’s the twist. The cocktail gets served up in a Mexican clay pot!
It’s fun, festive, refreshing, and your guests will love it.
8. Jalapeño Margarita
Prefer your spicy margarita on the rocks? I found this one just for you.
It’s a spicy citrusy mix of orange juice, lime juice, jalapeno, and silver tequila. Skip the sugar and sweeten it up with a kiss of agave.
To make it ice cold, use a cocktail shaker, then pour it over the rocks.
9. Cadillac Margarita
The first time I had a margarita, it was a Cadillac. And right then and there it had me sold.
This classic cocktail is flawless. It’s a refined mix of reposado, Grand Marnier, agave, and lime.
Reposado tequila is aged, unlike blanco tequila, so it has richer notes with a sweeter flavor.
Use only the best for this Cadillac. It’s a top-shelf kind of drink.
10. Dole Whip Margaritas
Love frozen fruity cocktails? Bring a pitcher of Dole whip margaritas to the party.
It’s a luscious, thick creamy drink you could eat with a spoon.
Similar to a frozen margarita, it calls for tequila and triple sec.
But that’s where the commonality ends because it gets sweetened up with frozen pineapple and emulsified with milk.
Add a dollop of frozen whipped topping and it’s like dessert in a cocktail glass.
11. Blue Nectar Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
A bramble may not be the first cocktail you think of for Cinco de Mayo, but I assure you it has its place.
The base is Blue Nectar reposado, which is a type of tequila aged for about six months.
It has smoky notes of oak and vanilla that do wonders for this drink.
Add in the blackberry liqueur and lemon juice, and you’ll see what I mean.
12. Michelada
Michelada exists for good times. It’s the kind of mixed drink that invokes the spirit of Mexican culture, embracing social gatherings.
Meaning it’s a natural choice for a Cinco de Mayo shindig.
You’ll rim a glass in Tajin seasoning, then add some hot sauce, Worcestershire, and lime.
Top that off with a crisp light lager and give it a good stir.
Modelo is an excellent choice, but any Mexican lager will do.
13. Strawberry Margarita
Bursting with juice, the strawberry margarita is one frozen cocktail no adult can resist.
Refreshing and vivacious, the blend of frozen strawberries, orange liqueur, tequila, and lime is a party in a glass.
Depending on your group size, you might want to double up on the batch.
14. Mexican Mule
Any way you make a mule, you can’t go wrong. But for Cinco de Mayo, you really only have one choice, the Mexican mule.
Swap out the vodka with tequila, then add the ginger beer and lime.
While a copper mug is standard, it is Cinco de Mayo.
So in honor of the holiday, serve up this cocktail in a Mexican clay pot like the cantarito.
15. Ultimate Frozen Margarita
If you want an epic margarita to honor Cinco de Mayo, this frozen treat is a supreme choice.
Tequila and lime are an obvious must. However, only Grand Mariner will do to give it that sweet, orange kick.
Freeze the mix overnight and bust it out as soon as it’s party time.
16. Skinny Margarita
Counting calories? You can still celebrate with a skinny margarita.
This five-ingredient cocktail cuts out the guilt, not the flavor. It’s a sweet citrusy mix with a splash of sparkling water for some fizz.
It has a fraction of the calories you get with a standard margarita. So make yourself one and join the party.
17. Simple Tequila and Squirt Paloma Drink
Guys, do you remember Squirt? Well, it’s making a comeback the boozy way.
The grapefruit version of this citrus soda is the ideal mixer for a thirst-quenching paloma.
Mix it with blanco tequila and lime juice, then give it a try.
18. Cinco Herradura
Add some pizzazz to your Cinco de Mayo with the cinco herradura.
Like many others on this list, tequila is the base. What sets this apart from the rest is the choice of fruity mixers.
A splash of pineapple juice here, some white cranberry juice there, and a hint of lemon-lime soda top it off.
19. Red Grapefruit and Honey Margarita
Make your holiday margarita extra special with a splash of grapefruit and a sweet kiss of honey.
Sweet and bitter red grapefruit enhances the citrus component, while honey mellows it all out.
You can use either blanco or reposado tequila for this one. However, if you want it to be more citrus-forward, go with the first one.
20. Frozen Watermelon Margarita
One of the best tequila cocktails to cool you down on a hot day is a frozen watermelon margarita.
It’s got that special spark you want for Cinco de Mayo. Fruity and frozen, it’s also that special boozy treat you deserve.
So do yourself a favor this holiday, and make your margarita a frozen watermelon one.
21. Coconut Creamsicle Margaritas
Looking for a special Cinco de Mayo dessert to commemorate the day?
Why not have your sweets and drink them too with this whimsical cocktail!
It’s a dairy-free creamy delight featuring coconut milk, tequila, and citrus. Think orange creamsicle and pina colada minus the pineapple.
22. Strawberry Margarita Punch (Champagne Margarita Punch)
This margarita punch will be the life of the party! It’s brimming with sweet berry goodness and lemon-lime.
As it’s a must for Cinco de Mayo, this punch is tequila-based. But to dress it up, it’s got an entire bottle of champagne.
Whether you’re grilling up some carne asada or chilling by the pool, this is the punch you want at the party.
23. Best Cranberry Margaritas
Another mixed beverage to add to your cocktail menu is this sweet and tart cranberry margarita.
Like all margaritas, it’s a natural addition to Cinco de Mayo.
But what makes it memorable is the punch of cranberry juice and homemade lemon ginger simple syrup.
It has a signature flavor that everyone will be raving about.
24. Frozen Pineapple Margaritas
Pass around the chips and guac, along with a pitcher of frozen pineapple margaritas.
It’s an enticing sipper with zingy pineapple, sweet triple sec, and everyone’s favorite, tequila.
I’m a fan of reposado myself. But if you want to intensify the flavor, try it with a shot of mezcal.
25. Mexican Mojito
The term craft cocktail exists because of libations like the Mexican mojito.
Between the muddled mint and fizzy soda water, it’s the epitome of refreshing.
Substitute white rum for blanco tequila and it’s a Cinco de Mayo delight!