Mexican Drink and Cocktail Recipes

Serve classic cocktails and cooling drinks like margaritas and aguas frescas alongside your Mexican fare.

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Photo By: Stephen Murello ©Stephen Murello

Photo By: Stephen Murello ©Stephen Murello

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Photo By: Evan Sung for The New York Times

Margarita

This classic recipe stays true to the original: equal parts tequila, orange liqueur and lime served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. (A splash of simple syrup adds an extra touch of sweetness.)

Get the Recipe: Margarita

Michelada

This cocktail, popular in the Northern areas of Mexico, stemmed from the idea of squeezing lime into beer. Try this uniquely spicy take with chili powder, Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Get the Recipe: Michelada

Horchata

Horchata is a grain-based milky drink made in various parts of Spain and Latin America. Ingrid Hoffman makes hers Mexican-style, with rice as the base. Vanilla and cinnamon add sweet, aromatic flavors.

Get the Recipe: Horchata

Michael's Bloody Maria

Replace the Bloody Mary's usual vodka with tequila for a cocktail with more bite. Michael Chiarello's spicy sipper uses jalapenos three ways, including in his homemade jalapeno ice cubes.

Get the Recipe: Michael's Bloody Maria

Spicy Margarita

Turn up the heat on a classic margarita with this recipe that uses Grand Marnier, sweet and sour mix, and spicy tequila.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Margarita

Citrus Tequila Cocktail

Shake the citrusy juices of orange, lime and lemon with tequila, sugar and fresh mint for a bright, refreshing cocktail. Garnish the mixture with mint sprigs for added color and serve over ice.

Get the Recipe: Citrus Tequila Cocktail

Ponche (Tequila Punch)

Combine tequila, French Champagne and Sauternes with some simple syrup and lime juice to make the base of this sweet ponche (Mexican punch). Load it with a variety of seasonal fruits for a hearty, refreshing party beverage.

Get the Recipe: Ponche (Tequila Punch)

The Scoville Sipper Cocktail

Sweet agave, hot jalapenos, sour lime juice and bitters are muddled together with tequila and soda water in this Mexican cocktail that ranks on the fiery scale.

Get the Recipe: The Scoville Sipper Cocktail

Agua Fresca

Aguas frescas, meaning "fresh waters" in Spanish, are traditional cold fruit drinks popular in Mexico. Cool off with Mark Bittman's version of this refreshing concoction by mixing your favorite juicy melon with sugar, fresh mint and lime juice.

Get the Recipe: Agua Fresca

Mexican Coffee

Turn your average cup of joe into a culinary show with this Mexican take on the caffeinated beverage. Pass glasses filled with tequila and coffee liqueur through an open flame, sprinkle with cinnamon for some added spice, then put out the fire with fresh-brewed coffee and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Get the Recipe: Mexican Coffee