By Olivia Cuccaro
Rooted in Mexican history, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the country’s culture as well as its main spirit. Tequila, named for the city in Jalisco, was first produced in the 16th century and continues to be distilled from agave plants in the region today. Ranging from clear or “silver” to an amber color, tequila is a versatile spirit that can be sipped neat or mixed into an array of tantalizing cocktails. Click through to see this Elite Traveler editor’s picks of Cinco de Mayo cocktail recipes. ¡Salud!
Altos Frontera Highball
- 1.5 parts Altos Reposado tequila
- 1 part Oloroso Sherry
- .5 parts Ancho Reyes Chili Liquor
- .5 parts fresh lemon juice
- 3-4 mint leaves
- soda
To create this cocktail, shake Altos Reposado tequila and other ingredients except soda. Then, strain into a highball over ice and add soda.
Avión Sandia Fresca
- 2 oz Avión Reposado tequila
- 1 oz fresh watermelon juice
- .75 oz lime juice
- .5 oz agave nectar
To create this cocktail, shake Avión Reposado tequila and other ingredients with ice and fine strain into a cocktail glass with a spiced rim (kosher salt, superfine sugar and cayenne).
Casa Noble Casa Cosmo
- 1.5 oz Casa Noble Crystal tequila
- .75 oz triple sec
- .5 oz lime juice
- .5 oz pomegranate juice
- orange peel
To create this cocktail, combine Casa Noble Crystal tequila and other ingredients, except orange peel, into mixing glass and stir. Strain into glass over ice. Finish with flamed orange peel.
Clase Azul Plata Bunny Hop
- 3 oz Clase Azul Plata tequila
- 1 oz Fresh squeezed pink grapefruit
- .5 oz fresh squeezed lime.
- splash of agave nectar.
To create this cocktail, fill glass with slices of grapefruit and lime. Add ice and pour in shaken Clase Azul Plata tequila and agave.
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Old Fashioned
- 1 demerara sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 2 oz Reserva de la Familia tequila
- orange and lemon twist
To create this cocktail, muddle the sugar cube and bitters with one bar spoon of water at the bottom of a chilled rocks glass. Add Reserva de la Familia and a large ice cube and stir until chilled and properly diluted, about 30 seconds. Garnish with an orange and lemon twist on the side of the cube.