Looking to throw a Cinco de Mayo party and make some celebratory cocktails? Here are our favourite tequilas and classic cocktail recipes, plus some quality ready-to-drink options - and a little something for the morning after.
Casa Rayos Tequila
This premium 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila from BrewDog comes in an eye-catching bottle decorated with stylised agave leaves. The blend of over twelve choice tequilas from both copper pot and stainless steel distillations has been guided by the Orendain family, the third oldest tequila distilling family in the heartlands of Jalisco, Mexico, and gives the spirit a smooth, citrussy character with earthy notes, ideal for cocktails.
RRP: £41.99
Buy here
Cazcabel Tequila
Award-winning, additive-free and grown sustainably, Cazcabel Tequila is created in a distillery in the town of Atotonilco El Alto, in the Jalisco mountains in Mexico. The rich, nutrient-dense soil enables the agave to grow larger than anywhere else in Jalisco; the tequila is distilled in copper pot and steel stills, then chill-filtered to remove any impurities, resulting in a smooth and balanced flavour.
The 100% Agave Blanco Tequila is the ideal base for lighter flavoured cocktails such as a classic Margarita, but for something a little different we love the Tequila Añejo; its warm, toasted notes of cinnamon, vanilla and subtle spicing bring an unexpected, sophisticated twist. It's also delicious served neat and sipped slowly as you would a brandy or cognac.
Use the Tequila Añejo to make a Caballo cocktail:
Ingredients:
60ml Cazcabel Añejo
30ml Pink Grapefruit Juice
10ml Agave Syrup
Pink grapefruit twist
Method:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, fill with cubed ice and shake well
Fine strain into a chilled glass
RRP: £31.99-£44.49
Buy here
Lobos 1707 Tequila
This ultra-premium agave spirit brand has been crafted from a centuries-old recipe, founded by Chief Creative Officer Diego Osorio, with legendary American athlete LeBron James. Following a successful launch in the US in 2020 the range has now landed in the UK, ready for the growing number of British tequila fans to enjoy.
RRP: £64.99-£180.00
Buy here - available exclusively at Selfridges
Espolòn Tequila
Espolòn Tequila is currently launching two tequilas in the UK, the Tequila Blanco and the Tequila Reposado. Both tequilas are created using 100% pure blue weber agave and deliver a smooth and balanced taste profile. You can use either for your Cinco de Mayo mixology but we liked the blanco, with its pure agave flavour balanced with tropical notes and vanilla then citrus and pepper.
Oh, and the cool, revolutionary-inspired artwork on the label is the perfect vibe for your party.
Use the Espolòn Blanco to make a Spicy Margarita cocktail:
Ingredients:
45ml Espolòn Blanco / Reposado
15ml Ancho Reyes Verde / Original
30 ml Fresh Lime Juice
10 ml Agave syrup
Lime peel or wedge for garnish - or a split red chilli if you're feeling brave
Method:
Prepare a premium coupette glass (or rocks as an alternative “on the rocks”) with a sea salt crusted rim (half-rim is a good option)
Shake ingredients with plenty of ice, double strain into a coupette. Garnish with lime peel / wedge/chilli
RRP: £29.99-£32.00
Buy here - also available from Amazon
VIVIR Tequila
This award-winning, premium 100% Agave Tequila is produced from estate owned Blue Weber Agave, grown in the highlands of Jalisco in Mexico. Made using traditional hornos (clay ovens) to cook the agave and natural volcanic spring water from the well at the distillery, the result is a fresh spirit with clear, distinctive notes of agave.
Use the Tequila Blanco to make a classic Paloma cocktail:
Ingredients:
50ml VIVIR Tequila Blanco
60ml Pink Grapefruit Juice
10ml Lime Juice
Soda Water
Salt rim and pink grapefruit wedge to garnish
Method:
Prepare a chilled highball glass with a salt rim
Add all ingredients except the soda water to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until cold
Strain into the prepared glass with ice
Top up with soda water
Garnish with a wedge of pink grapefruit
RRP: £33.00-£53.00
Buy here - also available from selected retailers including Waitrose and Master of Malt
Neurita Tequila
This female-owned flavoured tequila brand, specifically designed for making Margaritas, is currently challenging the status quo in the male-orientated tequila market.
Made in small batches using the finest agave Tequila Blanco carefully sourced from one of Jalisco’s most respected producers, the spirit is then infused with real fruit extracts and botanicals. Flavours include an award-winning citrus with Sicilian orange and tangerine, a picante infused with Scotch Bonnet, green chillies and tangerine for those spicy margs, and a rosa with sweet strawberry, raspberry and pomegranate.
RRP: £31.99
Buy here
Mixtons: Spicy Melons v2
Mixtons' ready-to-drink watermelon-infused twist on a Margarita just got a whole lot hotter - which is perfect timing for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
In response to the UK’s passion for picante they have upped the chilli kick, giving you bar-quality spicy margs in a stylish can. Why faff about with limes and salt when you can simply pop and pour? There's no squeezing or shaking required and this is a really well-balanced cocktail; not too sweet, zingy with lime and with a gentle but definite and lingering chilli heat. One of our favourites.
RRP: £22.50 for a box of 6 (£3.75 per serving)
Buy here
Whitebox Cocktails
If you're looking for genuinely bar-quality cocktails without the hassle of mixing them, we love Whitebox Cocktails. Their award-winning range of single-serve, classic cocktails are created by bartenders based on the ethos that ready-to-serve cocktails can be truly excellent; the founding team of world-class bartenders have decades of experience in the industry between them, so you are in the safest of hands.
They have just launched a trio of new cocktails - Spicy Margarita, Daiquiri, and Vieux Carré - which are perfect for a fuss-free Cinco de Mayo party.
RRP: £5.50-£6.80 each
Buy here
Brewdog also have a range of ready-to drink cocktails in cans that are perfect for parties and include Mexican favourites Margarita and Paloma - check out their Wonderland cocktails here.
Don't forget to jazz up your table - go bold and bright with your tableware and linen in Cinco de Mayo colours to make a statement with vibrant shades of blue, purple, orange, and pink, or echo the colours of the Mexican flag with a green, red, and white theme. Denby have a gorgeous serving bowl in Imperial blue which would look striking piled with Mexican fruits such as mango, lime, papaya, and dragon fruit.
For pure fun, Partyrama have a Mexican-themed range including everything from tableware and decorations to balloons and piñatas.
Finally, after partying like a rebel, you may need a little help to face the following morning. We can't think of a better way to ease into your day than these fun, hydrating and rejuvenating sheet masks from 7th Heaven at Amazon.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
[Items in this article may have been gifted to Chatting Food. No financial payment has been made to feature in this article, and entries to the feature are made independently by members of the Editorial Team. This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases]
Deputy Editor, Chatting Food London: Amanda David
Amanda David is a freelance food writer specialising in London’s restaurants, bars, exhibitions and events. She is the Events Editor and a contributing writer for London Cheapo and a regular contributor to Palate Magazine.
Follow Amanda at:
Instagram: @LondonGAT
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