Cinco de Mayo Drinks Guide: Tequila, Beer & Cocktails

May 5, 2026

If there's one day on the calendar that gives you full, unconditional permission to pour a tequila at noon, it's Cinco de Mayo. And I, for one, am absolutely not going to argue with that.

Now, if you've been around here for a while, you'll know I already went deep on Margarita recipes, both the Classic Margarita cocktail and Spicy Margarita cocktail, for World Margarita Day. That article is right here, and it is very, very good, even if I do say so myself. Travis approved it personally, which basically makes it official. But Cinco de Mayo deserves its own moment, habibi. A full guide. More tequila. A Paloma cocktail that deserves way more fame than it gets. And a cold Sol beer to wash it all down with.

Let's dive in.

Wait, What Actually Is Cinco de Mayo?

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. I know, it’s confusing. Don’t feel bad if that’s your revelation of the day; it’s so wildly celebrated internationally that it’s an easy mistake. Mexican Independence Day is September 16th. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. Outnumbered, outgunned, and completely written off, the Mexican army won anyway.

It's one of the great underdog stories in history, and if that's not worth a raised glass and a very cold tequila, I genuinely don't know what is. The day is actually celebrated far more enthusiastically outside Mexico than within it, which is a very relatable thing to do, honestly. Some of us just needed an excuse.

The Indispensable Agave Spirits

No Cinco de Mayo guide worth its salt rim starts anywhere other than with agave spirits. Here's my agave spirits selection for the occasion, and trust me, you're going to want to bookmark this one.

For the sipper

Cazadores Tequila Añejo

Aged for a minimum of one year in American oak barrels, with notes of vanilla, dried fruit, and a long, warming finish. This is the one you pour neat, in a good glass, at a pace that suggests you have nowhere else to be.

For the cocktail lover

Tequila Espolòn Blanco

Bright, punchy, full of character, and brilliant in everything from a Classic Margarita cocktail to a Spicy Margarita cocktail or a delicious Paloma cocktail. You might also recognise it from the Spicy Margarita recipe on my previously mentioned article. It earns its place twice on the blog, and it knows it.

For the adventurous one

Mezcal Amaras Espadín

And there's always one. Smoky, complex, made from hand-selected Espadín agave in Oaxaca, and approachable enough to convert even the most committed tequila loyalist. Watch this bottle disappear.

For the purist's purist

Siete Leguas Blanco

One of Mexico's most beloved producers, making tequila the old-fashioned way: slowly, carefully, and without shortcuts. Crystal clear, full of fresh agave character, and the kind of bottle that makes you want to know more about where it came from.

The Beer Situation

Sometimes you just want a cold beer and zero decisions. On Cinco de Mayo, that beer is Sol. Just a lime wedge in the neck, no overthinking required. Keep a bucket of ice stocked, the lime wedges cut, and let people help themselves. Perfecto.

For the easy-going

Sol Beer

Light, crisp, and so refreshing with its irresistible lime twist.

Now, The Cocktails

You already have the Classic Margarita cocktail recipe and the Spicy Margarita cocktail recipe from the World Margarita Day article, so I'm not going to repeat myself. What I am going to give you are two new recipes for your Cinco de Mayo repertoire, because one holiday absolutely deserves more than one cocktail. Minimum.

The Paloma Cocktail Recipe

The Paloma cocktail is Mexico's other great drink, and it does not get nearly enough credit. While everyone's been obsessing over the Margarita (justifiably, no arguments here), the Paloma has been quietly sitting in the corner, minding its own business and being totally delicious about it. This is the one to make when someone at the table claims they don't love tequila cocktails. They will love the Paloma cocktail. I have never once been wrong about this.

50ml Patrón Silver (or Espolòn Blanco for a brilliant everyday version)

100ml pink grapefruit juice, ideally freshly squeezed

15ml fresh lime juice

10ml agave syrup

Pinch of salt

Sparkling water

Garnish: a grapefruit slice and a salt rim

The Mezcal Negroni

For the one adventurous soul at every table who rolls their eyes at Margaritas and wants something with more going on. Swap the gin in a classic Negroni for Mezcal Amarás Espadín, and something genuinely remarkable happens. The smoke meets the bitterness of the Campari, the vermouth holds everything together, and the result is one of the most interesting cocktails you will ever put in a glass. Make it once. You'll make it forever.

30ml Mezcal Amarás Espadín

30ml Campari

30ml Martini Rosso Vermouth

Garnish: orange peel

The Cinco de Mayo Checklist

Because we always forget that one thing while shopping, here’s everything you need:

Tequila: at least two bottles. One Blanco for cocktails, one Añejo or Reposado for sipping slowly and pretending you know exactly what you're tasting.

Mezcal: one bottle of Mezcal Amaras Espadín for the curious ones and the Negroni.

Beer: a case of Sol and enough lime wedges to go around. More than you think you need. Always more than you think you need.

Mixers: fresh limes, fresh grapefruit, agave syrup, sparkling water, sweet vermouth and Campari if you're going to attempt a Mezcal Negroni.

Snacks: guacamole, tortilla chips, and whatever else you can get on the table before people arrive and start asking if there's food. And for the pièce de résistance, order from your favourite Mexican restaurant!

Place your order now via the MMI Cheers Club App, and have it delivered chilled in just two hours.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo, habibi. Now go celebrate: those limes aren't going to squeeze themselves.

Salud!

Sip responsibly.