I usually like to enjoy a good glass of red, but for Cinco de Mayo I spiced things up. Here are my favourite cocktail recipes that you can also make at home. ¡Salud!
1. The VOSSgarita
VOSS Water is my go-to choice to stay hydrated. You guys know that I have trouble drinking enough water because the flavour is well kinda boring. BUT VOSS makes flavoured sparkling water which I’m really loving. There’s Lime Mint, Lemon Cucumber and Tangerine Lemongrass. I played around with making a ‘healthier’ version of a Margarita with the Lime Mint sparkling water and it tastes so good! Knowing that it’s not as sugary makes a big difference in my mind. I can still indulge, but not feel guilty for it.
Ingredients:
1 ½ ounces tequila (3 parts)
1 ounce triple sec (2 parts)
1/2 ounce lime juice (1 part)
Top up with Lime Mint VOSS Sparkling
Garnish with lime zest
Margarita salt for glass
Pour tequila, triple sec and lime juice into a container. After creating the mixture, chill in fridge.
While chilling, rim the glass with margarita salt using lime juice. Pour batched mixture into salted glass 3/4 of the way, then top up with Lime Mint VOSS Sparkling water. Voila!
2. Red Sangrita
Red wine, fruit juice and fresh fruit – traditional Sangria is one of my top favs! It’s perfect for this time of year and always reminds me of summer and barbeques. A fun spin on just a simple glass of red wine ;)
Ingredients:
2 bottles red Spanish table wine
1 cup brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup simple syrup, or more to taste (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves, cooled)
Orange slices
Apple slices
Blackberries
Pomegranate seeds
Mix all ingredients together and let stand in a tightly sealed container or pitcher for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator before serving.
3. Spicy Margarita
Shake it up with a drink with edge. Muddled jalapeno adds a kick to your cocktail. It’s a nice change from the typically sweet blended margaritas that most people order. I tried this once in a restaurant and love recreating it at home from time to time. If you’re into spicy, give it a shot!
Ingredients: 1 1⁄2 oz Tequila Reposado
1 oz Fresh lime juice
1⁄2 oz Triple sec
1⁄2 oz Agave syrup
2 jalapeño coins (seeds removed)
At the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the jalapeño coins with agave syrup.
Pour the remaining ingredients into a shaker, fill with ice, and shake until chilled.
Strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Finally, garnish with a lime wedge.
4. Perfect Paloma
Ahh, the perfect Paloma. It’s refreshing and pairs nicely with spicy Mexican food. So juicy and never disappoints!
1 1/2 shots of reposado tequila (or any good quality blanco)
juice of half a ruby grape fruit
1/2 shot of agave syrup or sugar syrup
about 75ml club soda
a squirt of fresh lime juice (optional)
Mix the grapefruit juice, tequila and sugar syrup until well mixed. Pour over a tall glass filled with ice and top up with soda water. Add a squirt of lime juice and rim the glass with salt.
5. Blackberry Beet Agave Negro
This is such a flavorful cocktail! It’s deep and intriguing and has a hint of sweet earthiness from the beets. It’s a more masculine drink and fun variation on sipping on tequila.
Ingredients:
Beet simple syrup
1 heaping cup chopped beets
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
For the cocktail
5-6 blackberries
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
half a lime, sliced in half
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) beet simple syrup
2 ounces (1/4 cup) reposado tequila
2-3 ice cubes
1.5 ounce (3 tablespoons) chilled club soda
1 lime wedge for garnish
1 blackberry for garnish
Add the blackberries, lime juice, lime slices, and beet simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Muddle with a muddler or a back of a wooden spoon until the blackberries are smashed and the limes have released their juice and fragrance. Add tequila and ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for about 8 seconds. Strain into a glass and add the club soda. Discard the berries and lime. Add more ice if desired and garnish with a lime wedge and a blackberry.
How do you guys celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
Love,
