The Best Cinco de Mayo Drinks

A few short months ago everyone was cheering, shouting “Happy New Year” and just like that, in the blink of an eye, May is here! That means Cinco de Mayo, Mexico’s Independence Day, is coming up fast! If you love any reason for a gathering, why not celebrate our southern neighbors this May 5th with these five awesome cocktails? Of course, you could mix up a straightforward margarita, but these recipes might entice you to try something new for either a Cinco de Mayo party or a fun night in.

Spicy Tequila Sunrise

2 oz. Tequila

4 oz. Orange Juice

1 oz. Grenadine

Jalapeño Slices

Pour the tequila, orange juice, and a few slices of jalapenos (depending on how spicy you like it) into a cocktail shaker. Shake for a moment, strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice, and pour in the grenadine. Garnish with the jalapeno slices and you’re done!

Spiked Blackberry Basil Lemonade

1/2 cup of blackberries

1 ½ oz. of tequila or vodka

3 lemons

1 ½ cups water

¼ cup of sugar

1 sprig of basil

Muddle the blackberries and basil into the juice of the three lemons and strain into the water and vodka/tequila. Stir in sugar and serve over ice with a basil garnish.

Frozen Tequila Matador

1 1/2 oz. tequila

3 oz. pineapple juice

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 cups of ice

Fill a blender with all ingredients (including ice) and blend until smooth. Serve in a flute and garnish with lime or pineapple!

Authentic Paloma

2 oz. tequila

2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice, plus wedges for garnish

2 oz. sparkling water

½ oz. lime juice

¼ oz. simple syrup

Coarse sea salt for a salted rim

Mix all the liquid ingredients together and then strain into a glass of ice with a salted rim! A simple yet delicious, classic cocktail.

Hard Horchata

1 cup milk (any kind except skim)

1 cup Minute Rice

12 cups of water, divided

1  teaspoon ground cinnamon

1  tablespoon vanilla

½ cup granulated sugar

1.5 oz. tequila per glass

This recipe is a little more involved, but oh so worth it. Heat the milk to 100 degrees F and cook the rice in it for 30 minutes. Then blend the mixture with 2 cups of water, the cinnamon, and vanilla until thoroughly smooth. Strain the mixture and mix with the sugar and the remaining 10 cups of water. Add 1.5 ounces of tequila for every glass poured. 

Of course, if the kids are present for the party, any of these drinks can easily be kept hooch-free and made into a fun slushy. Lucky for you, Old Tennessee has everything you need to whip up these cocktails in no time at all. Come see us and stock up on the essentials, especially our famous Tail of the Dragon tequila sourced directly from Mexico. Feliz Cinco de Mayo from Old Tennessee Distilling Company!