I’ve read a few times this year that Mexican cuisine is the next big food trend… It’s a trend I’ve been witnessing myself as I plot the increase in my waistline since I moved closer to my local burrito take-away.
The UK for a while now has been dipping its toe into the flavours of Mexico through cooking kits containing everything you need for a Mexican dish at home, except any of the things you need for a Mexican dish at home. But now, finally, these flavours are taking front and centre, largely through fast casual dining, street food and pop-ups.
I think it helps that Mexico also comes pre-packaged with an enticing drinks offer, great food with great drink becomes a great experience. From easy drinking, refreshing beers to complex craft beers and on to distinctive Mexican cocktails and of course, Tequila, there are a wealth of combinations to explore and enjoy.
So, if you’re looking to incorporate a taste of Mexico to your menus, have a look at our collection of our best Mexican cocktail recipes below. They are sure to go down as well as the food!
Margarita Cocktail
No list of Mexican cocktails would be complete without a Margarita recipe. It’s a simple, iconic tequila based cocktail that dates back around 80 years.
Ingredients
- 50 ml silver tequila
- 30 ml triple sec
- 20 ml lime juice
Method
Moisten the outer rim of a Margarita glass and sprinkle salt on it. Shake the ingredients together with ice and strain over crushed ice. Serve with a lime wheel.
Paloma Cocktail
While not quite as well known in the wider world, the Paloma is a Mexican favourite. Paloma is Spanish for ‘dove’.
Ingredients
- 50 ml silver tequila
- 25 ml pink grapefruit juice
- 10 ml lime juice
- 5 ml of agave syrup
- 150 ml of grapefruit crush
Method
Shake all ingredients excluding the grapefruit crush with ice and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top up with the grapefruit crush. Serve with a lime wedge.
Michelada Cocktail
Dating back around 70 years, the Michelada is a popular Cerveza preparada, a Mexican term for a beer cocktail mixed with tomato juice, salsa or tabasco.
Ingredients
- 330ml bottle of light beer
- Juice of one Lime
- 10ml Worcestershire Sauce
- 10ml tabasco
- 10ml Soy Sauce
- Salt and Pepper
Method
Rub rim of glass with lime and then salt. Fill glass with ice. Place all ingredients excluding the beer into a jug and stir. Pour in the beer and continue to stir gently. Pour mixture into glass and sprinkle with pepper.
Tequila & Tonic
The T&T certainly has a long way to go to topple the indomitable G&T, but it is incredibly refreshing and oh so simple.
Ingredients
- 50ml tequila
- 150ml tonic
- 2/3 dashes of bitters (optional)
Method
Add all ingredients to a Collins glass filled with ice and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Chavela Cocktail
This is another ‘Cerveza preparada’, mixing together beer with tomato juice and tabasco. It’s also known as Ojo Rojo or red eye and is a popular hangover ‘cure’.
Ingredients
- 330ml bottle of light beer
- 75ml tomato juice
- 10ml tabasco
- Lemon wedge
- Salt
- 25ml of tequila (optional)
Method
Rim a pint glass with lemon and sprinkle with salt. Add some ice and fill with the tomato juice, tabasco and then the beer. Stir and squeeze a lemon. For an extra kick enjoy with a tequila chaser.
Palomaesque Cocktail
This cocktail is a twist on the Paloma from Scott Baird at Comal in Berkeley. It uses mezcal instead of tequila.
Ingredients
- 40ml bianco vermouth
- 25ml mezcal
- 25ml grapefruit juice
- 15ml lime juice
- 40ml sparkling water
- 7.5ml honey
- pinch of salt
Method
Stir mezcal with honey until dissolved in a shaker. Add the vermouth, grapefruit juice, lime juice, salt and ice. Shake and strain into an old-fashioned glass and top with sparkling water. Serve with a grapefruit wheel garnish.
Matador Cocktail
Combining three key Mexican exports, tequila, pineapple and lime, the Matador is a classic Mexican cocktail that’s simple.
Ingredients
Method
Mix all the ingredients in a shaker half full of ice. Strain and serve in a chilled cocktail glass or champagne flute.
Not sold on turning your beer into a ‘Cerveza preparada’? Take a look at our range of beers. Want to find out more about developing a cocktail range? Get in touch with our account manager.
About the author
Luke Siddall (alumni)
I'm Matthew Clark's resident content creator, looking after our social media, website and customer communications. I was a cocktail bartender for while before joining but I now spend most of my time on the other side of the bar.
