Cinco de Mayo, celebrated on May 5, commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While it is a minor holiday in Mexico, it has become a major celebration of Mexican culture in the United States. What better occasion to enjoy cocktails that highlight Mexican agave spirits?

Mezcal offers a rich and complex flavor profile that differentiates it from tequila. The first sip typically unveils an earthy smokiness, a signature characteristic derived from the traditional method of roasting agave hearts in underground pits. This depth often accompanies herbal and floral notes, creating a well-rounded taste experience. You might also detect hints of citrus and spice, adding brightness and warmth.

Mezcal’s earthy smokiness and complex flavors add depth to cocktails you can’t get with other spirits, allowing creative cocktail combinations to stand out. The complex layers of herbal, floral, citrus, and spicy notes in mezcal provide endless flavor options.

Tequila presents a bright, vibrant flavor profile drawn from the blue agave plant. Unaged tequila offers a crisp, clean taste with a natural sweetness and fruit notes. Depending on the aging process, tequila can also exhibit layers of flavor; for example, a blanco tequila tends to be lively and refreshing, while a reposado or añejo may develop deeper notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak notes from the barrels in which they are aged.

Tequila’s versatility shines in its neat presentation and cocktails; its distinctive flavor pairs well with various flavors, enhancing drinks with its fruit and spice undertones. The interplay of these flavors allows for a range of creative cocktail options, each showcasing tequila’s unique character and celebrating its rich heritage.

Here are six cocktails tailor-made for any festive occasion. They range from effortlessly simple to crowd-wowing and complex. ¡A tu salud!

Heart & Soul

Desolas Mezcal is said to be inspired by its sunny geography. It is produced in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, from 100% Salmiana Agave. Because of its enormous size, this type of agave is known as the “Green Giant” or “Green Maguey.” Salmiana takes up to 25 years to mature and has a low yield despite its size.

Salmiana has a more herbal and grassy profile, along with the chalky soil of the area and dry air; this type of agave can create a complex mineral profile. The piñas are cooked in above-ground ovens known as “hornos” instead of common underground pits. This process reportedly yields a mezcal with a soft smoky profile. Indeed, this Mezcal is very approachable with light smoke. The smoke comes into the fold after big mint, spicy notes, juicy jalapeno, and vegetal flavors. This blanco Mezcal is a perfect option for cocktails; it’s light enough to play well with others but can hold its own simultaneously.

Elderflower and Mezcal are a match made in heaven, especially when paired with a savory mezcal like Desolas. Try this spicy cocktail that showcases the beauty of sweetness and spice with unexpected floral compliments.

1.5 oz Desolas Mezcal
1 oz Elderflower liqueur
1 oz hot honey
.5 oz jalapeño brine
.5 oz fresh lemon juice

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with your favorite herb for maximum aroma. If you’re a cilantro fan, top with cilantro, otherwise any fresh green herb will do. Pro tip: Thin the hot honey with a little hot water.

The Passionate One

Leaning toward the sweeter side of cocktails, Mezcal works well with here its herbal and savory spice. The juxtaposition of flavors makes this cocktail a winner.

2 oz Desolas Mezcal
1 oz passion fruit juice
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz agave syrup

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and double strain into a stemmed cocktail glass with a salted rim. Garnish with a citrus peel.

Oye Cómo Va

I’m a big fan of Lillet, which is a French apéritif, a fortified wine similar to vermouth. It’s made from a blend of Bordeaux wines and fortified with citrus liqueurs macerated in brandy. The result is a light, crisp, slightly sweet profile with honeyed, citrus and floral notes. One of the most heavenly combinations is the flavor of Lillet with a savory spirit. Lillet is light enough in profile to allow the smoke in this Mezcal to come forward, and the herbaceousness of Desolas Mezcal is the perfect partner for the flavors to shine in this cocktail. This spritz is easy to craft, refreshing, and easy to make for a crowd.

1.5 oz Desolas Mezcal
1.5 oz Lillet Blanc
1 oz chilled club soda

Add Mezcal and Lillet to a mixing glass with ice and stir well until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and top with chilled club soda.

Rolling In The Deep

The classic Margarita allows for limitless riffs. This cocktail build makes it easy to serve up new flavor profiles and perspectives with different tequila (aged or blanco) and complementary ingredients. When using barrel-aged tequila in cocktails, I like to reach for those deep flavors of spice, coffee, and chocolate. As amazing as the Margarita is, it’s not the only tequila cocktail that should get all the glory. These cocktails showcase various flavor options for making the most of the tequila in a cocktail.

Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila is an excellent choice for putting the focus on robust cocktail flavors. Made with 100% agave in Los Altos, the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, known for its volcanic soil and high elevation. With notes of cooked agave, vanilla, and baking spices, this dimensional tequila has a profile robust enough to shine in cocktails without getting lost amongst other flavors. The Reposado with chocolate or coffee will reveal deeper caramel and vanilla bean flavors from the tequila, complementing the drink’s flavors. Try this bold and dessert-ish margarita for your next celebration.

2 oz Olmeca Altos Reposado
1 oz lime juice
.5 oz orange liqueur
.5 oz Ancho Reyes liqueur
.5 oz vanilla infused agave

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well until chilled. Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a lime slice.

Rhythm Nation

In this cocktail, the flavors punch back in the best way with this reposado. Sweet baking spices, chocolate and coffee notes, and a touch of sweet citrus create a powerful profile.

1.5 oz Olmeca Altos Reposado
.5 oz coffee liqueur
.5 oz orange liqueur
2 drops Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well until chilled. Double strain into a cocktail glass and top with a pinch of cinnamon.

Here I Go Again

Unaged tequila, often called plata or blanco, brings a host of flavors. Instead of spice and oak and deep flavors from aged tequila, here you get fruits and florals. Citrus can be another set of flavors often found in unaged tequila. Sometimes citrus flavors come through as bright and juicy, which is how Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila expresses itself.

Pineapple and Plata tequila create a refreshing and vibrant duo in cocktails, thanks to their complementary characteristics. The natural sweetness and acidity of pineapple enhance the crisp and clean profile of Plata tequila. This combination results in a balanced drink that is both bright and invigorating. Together, they create a harmonious blend that elevates any cocktail experience. So this build puts the pineapple center stage and offers a Tiki-esque style experience. This recipe will make enough cocktails for about four people.

6 oz Olmeca Altos Plata
1 cup of roasted or grilled chopped pineapple
2 oz orange liqueur
4 oz fresh lime juice
4 oz fresh lemon juice
2 oz agave syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
1 oz filtered drinking water
1 pinch of cayenne powder

Add pineapple to a blender with water, blend until the pineapple is liquid, add remaining ingredients and blend until all components are mixed. Pour over crushed ice in tall glasses and garnish with lime slices or pineapple segments and mint.

As we raise our glasses to toast Cinco de Mayo, let the vibrant flavors of these cocktails celebrate culture and tradition. Gather your ingredients and quality agave spirits, get creative, and let the fiesta begin—because nothing pairs better with good company than a delicious cocktail in hand. Cheers to a festive and flavorful Cinco de Mayo!

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