7 Cocktails for Cinco de Mayo

Whether you’re craving something fruity, spicy, or something completely different, these seven cocktails showcase creative twists on tequila and mezcal classics.

From a banana leaf-wrapped beauty in Brooklyn to a saffron-kissed sipper in Nashville, these are the Cinco de Mayo drinks worth seeking out—or shaking up at home!

Cognac, Liqueur

Henny-Rita

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Hennessy V.S
• ¾ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• ½ oz. Orange Liqueur
• ¼ oz. Agave Syrup

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake to chill.
2. Strain into glass with ice.
3. Optional: 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.

Photo by Jenna Haar

Liqueur, Tequila

Fortune’s Fool

by Beverage Director Caleb Russell

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. G4 Tequila Blanco
• ½ oz. Giffard Banane du Brésil
• ¼ oz. St. George Spiced Pear
• ½ oz. Pineapple Juice
• ½ oz. Lime Juice
• 3 Hoja Santa Leaves, shaken in cocktail
• Glassware: Old Fashioned Rocks Glass
• Garnish: Cinnamon-Sugar Salt Rim, Wrap Inside of Glass with Banana Leaf

Preparation

1. Shake well in cocktail shaker.
2. Strain onto a large ice cube.

Additional Notes

Available at: elNico| Brooklyn, NY

Liqueur, Mezcal

Mezcla Yucateco

by Bar Supervisor Andrei Cocom

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Cucumber and Cilantro Puree
• 1 ½ oz. Narano (Sour Orange Liqueur)
• 1 oz. Natural Syrup
• 1 ½ oz. Mezcal (400 Conejos - Mezcal Joven)
• Glassware: Spritz Glass
• Garnish: 2 dashes Bitters

Preparation

1. Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until well-integrated.
2. Strain in a spritz glass.
3. Garnish with 2 dashes of bitters.

Additional Notes

Available at: Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla | Cancun, MX

Photo by ERIC MEDSKER

Mezcal, Tequila

Spicy Paloma

by Steve Schneider

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Blanco Tequila
• ½ oz. Mezcal
• ¾ oz. Homemade Grapefruit Cordial
• ¾ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 5 dashes Hellfire Bitters
• Grapefruit Soda, to top
• Glassware: Collins (Black Lava Salt-Rimmed)
• Special: Ice Spear

Preparation

1. Shaken.

Additional Notes

Available at: Sip & Guzzle | NYC

Tequila

Hot Damn

by Hotel Lilien

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Chili-Infused Tequila
• 1 oz. Cucumber Juice
• ¾ oz. Lime Juice
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup
• 8 Cilantro Leaves
• Glassware: Rocks Glass
• Garnish: Cucumber Wheel

Preparation

1. Shake until cold.
2. Strain into rocks glass with fresh ice.

Additional Notes

Available at: Hotel Lilien | Catskills, NY

Liqueur, Tequila

Miso Margarita

by Dorado BeachAvailable at: Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve | Dorado, Puerto Rico

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Tequila (José Cuervo Reposado)
• 1 oz. Cognac Orange Liqueur (Grand Marnier)
• ½ oz. Lime Juice
• 1 ½ oz. Miso Syrup
• Glassware: Rocks Glass
• Garnish: Orange Salt Rim, Dehydrated Orange

Preparation

1. Rim glass.
2. Measure all ingredients into a shaker and add ice.
3. Shake and fine strain.

Additional Notes

Available at: Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve | Dorado, Puerto Rico

Photo by Run Club Creative

Liqueur, Tequila

La Vaquera

by Four Walls

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Patrón Joseph Blend Reposado
• 1 oz. Horchata
• ¾ oz. Saffron Honey
• ½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• ½ oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice

• ½ oz. Fresh Pineapple Juice
• ¼ oz. Chickpea Syrup
• Glassware: Belgian
• Garnish: A few delicate saffron threads

Preparation

1. Shake tequila, horchata, saffron honey, lime, grapefruit, and pineapple juice with ice, then strain into a highball over fresh ice.
2. Garnish with a few saffron threads for an aromatic finish.

Additional Notes

Available at: Four Walls | Nashville, TN