I figured I’d make a quick guide for y’all and share five cocktails for Cinco De Mayo that I think would be perfect (and delish) to celebrate with! The two quintessential cocktails for Cinco De Mayo are the classic margarita and the paloma. Both call for tequila and pair amazingly with all Mexican cuisines! The only hard question is, which one will you make?

Let’s get to it!

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My Top Five Cocktails for Cinco De Mayo:

1. Strawberry Basil Margarita with Hot Honey

With a hot honey salt rim and deliciously ripe strawberries, this incredible margarita is a sight for sore eyes (and your tastebuds)! This cocktail gets a 10/10 score for taste and for being easy to whip up! All you need is a blender, simple ingredients, and a margarita glass!

Recipe for 2-3 Servings:

• 1 pint of fresh strawberries – sliced
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup of ice
• 1 Lime – juiced
• 4 oz of silver tequila
• 2 oz of triple sec
• 10 basil leaves
• 1.5 tablespoons of hot honey – or regular honey
• kosher salt and extra honey for rim (optional)

Fill a blender with the top six ingredients and blend for at least 30 seconds. Add in the hot honey and blend again for another 15-20 seconds. Coat the rim of your margarita glass with honey and cover with kosher salt. Pour in your strawberry basil margarita and garnish with a strawberry and basil!

2. Classic Grapefruit Paloma

You can never go wrong with a classic! This classic grapefruit paloma is no fuss and all tasty! With fresh grapefruit juice, this tart cocktail pairs perfectly with a decadent plate of nachos or some fresh fish tacos!

Recipe for 2 Servings:

• 1/2 cup of Grapefruit Juice
• 1/2 a Lime – juiced
• 4 oz of Tequila
• 1.5 oz of simple honey syrup or melted honey
• 2 Sprigs of Rosemary
• Splash of Sparkling Water

In a cocktail shaker, add the top five ingredients with some ice and shake for about 30 seconds. Pour up your paloma in a cocktail glass with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with rosemary and a grapefruit wedge. I love to add a little salt rim to this paloma as the salt enhances all the flavors!

3. Coconut Pineapple Margarita

This margarita has all the summer tropical vibes and the creamy coconut milk gives the perfect touch of sweetness. With only five ingredients, this cocktail comes together really quick and perfect for those extra hot days!

Recipe for 4 servings:

• 1 cup of unsweetened canned coconut milk (shake well before using)
• 1/4 cup of pineapple juice – or 1/2 cup of fresh pineapple – cubed
• 1 Lime – juiced
• 6 oz of silver tequila
• 1.5 Tbs of melted honey, agave, or simple syrup
• kosher salt and lime zest for rim

In a cocktail shaker full of ice, add the top five ingredients and shake for at least 30 seconds. If you have fresh pineapple on hand, I would substitute it for the pineapple juice and throw everything into a blender. If you like your margaritas frozen, I would add 1/2-1 cup of ice as well before blending. Coat your margarita rim with lime juice and dip the rim in a bowl with salt and lime zest to create a fun salt rim! Pour up your margarita and garnish with a lime.

4. Simple Mango Paloma

This mango paloma is another super simple cocktail to enjoy that comes together really quickly! Mango season is here and this is a great way to use up those ripe mangos sitting on the counter. For a more classic paloma, you can use grapefruit soda to top off, however I think sparkling water works just as well!

Recipe for One Serving:

• 1/2 cup of fresh mango puree
• 2 oz of silver tequila
• 1/2 a lime – juiced
• 1/2 Tbs of melted honey or agave
• Splash of sparkling water or grapefruit soda

Slice up a ripe mango and place in a blender with a splash of water. Blend until you have a smooth mango puree and set to the side. In your cocktail glass, add the tequila, lime juice, and melted honey. Afterwards, add in the mango puree and stir until ingredients are well mixed. Top off with crushed ice and some sparkling water (or grapefruit soda) and enjoy immediately!

5. Pineapple and Cucumber Margarita

This sweet and spicy margarita has just about everything you could want: a smoky salt rim, sweet pineapple juice, and a touch of spice from the jalapenos. Everything is balanced with refreshing muddled cucumbers and cilantro, making the perfect summer cocktail. If you don’t have a muddler, no worries! I tend to use a wooden kitchen spoon and it does just as well!

Recipe for 2 servings:

• 7 cucumber slices
• 1/2 a lime – juiced
• 4 oz of silver tequila
• 3 jalapeno slices
• handful of cilantro
• 1 Tbs of melted honey or agave
• 1/2 cup of pineapple juice
• 1 Tbs of kosher salt and chile powder for the rim (optional)

In an empty cocktail shaker, add the first six ingredients and muddle until the cucumbers are broken down. Then, pour in the pineapple juice and some ice and shake for at least 30 seconds. Take your cocktail glass and wet the rim with a lime wedge before coating in the salt and chile powder mix. Fill your glass with ice and pour up your margarita. Garnish with a lime wedge and cilantro and enjoy!

Which of These Cocktails Will You Choose?

To be quite honest, tequila is probably my most favorite spirit of all time. It’s so versatile and it’s even amazing on it’s own (chilled of course). Even though margaritas and palomas both contain tequila, I’m always finding myself leaning towards the margarita. From it’s most simplest form to a unique concoction, the margarita has always been my go to! Make sure to let me know in the comments which cocktail you’ll be sipping on this Cinco De Mayo!

Cheers Y’all,