If you love tequila as much as we do, you’re about to get really excited about our Cantarito recipe! Mixed with fresh orange juice, lime, and lemon juice and topped with grapefruit soda, this Mexican drink is a slightly sweeter relative of the Paloma. While the Cantarito cocktail is traditionally served in a Cantarito clay cup, a highball glass will work equally well.
Cantarito Cocktail
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
Rim your Cantarito clay cup or highball glass with salt, then fill it with ice
02
Add the tequila, orange, lime and grapefruit juice
03
Stir to combine
04
Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with a wedge of lime
How to serve: Cantarito clay cups
So why is a Mexican Cantarito served in a clay cup? Simple. To keep the drink as cold as possible for as long as possible. When you think about it, it makes sense. Mexican summers can reach 90 degrees, so Mexicans are undoubtedly experts at keeping drinks as cold as ice. If you’re planning a fiesta, remember:
- The clay keeps your drink icy cold, but there’s a trick: Soak your cups in water for about 10 minutes before making Cantaritos.
- They’re not just for Cantaritos: You can serve your favorite Mexican drinks (or any of your most-loved summer cocktails) in these epic clay cups to keep a cool head on hot days.
History of the Cantarito
Bar legend has it that the tequila Cantarito drink comes from Jalisco, Mexico. This is one of the country’s top five tequila-producing regions, so it makes sense that this iconic cocktail was created here. This drink is said to have been invented before the now-trending Paloma hit the cocktail scene. The Cantarito cocktail is named after the clay cups it is served in and is a popular beverage choice at roadside stands in Mexico.
If you’re planning on giving your guests an authentic experience, check out The Mixer’s guide on pairing spicy food with cocktails.
What’s the best tequila for Cantaritos?
If you love a Margarita or Paloma, there is no doubt that you will enjoy this Cantarito drink. And if you know your tequila cocktails, you’ll know that the type you use can make or break your drink. For this reason, we’re using Espolòn Tequila Reposado. This premium tequila is aged in American oak barrels for two months and has claimed the title of ‘unofficial best tequila for margaritas’, and we agree! With its rich roasted agave notes and smooth, spicy finish, its delicately complex taste makes it the ‘unofficial best tequila for Cantaritos’ in our books.
Learning how to make Cantaritos couldn’t be simpler. The summery drink is one of the easiest tequila cocktails you can make at home for your friends. So go ahead and do that today! It will be love at first sip.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A Paloma is made with tequila, grapefruit soda and lime. The addition of orange juice makes the Cantarito a sweeter version of the Paloma.
