22 Mexican Drinks for South-of-the-Border Boozing

Matt Taylor-Gross

Matt Taylor-Gross

This sweet-tart drink is a popular streetside cooler.

If you’d rather drink your breakfast, try atole—a traditional Mexican drink thickened with masa harina and served hot.

Farideh Sadeghin

Though this bold shaken cocktail originated in Mexico at Juarez’s Kentucky Club, across the border from El Paso, Texans now claim it as their own. See the recipe for Kentucky Club Margarita »

Cool muddled cilantro balances the heat from a fresh Fresno chile in this sweet-spicy refresher.

Mixologist Elad Zvi picks the fruit right off the tree in the courtyard of his Eden-like Miami Beach bar, the Broken Shaker, for this refreshingly bittersweet cocktail. See the recipe for Grapefruit Agua Fresca »

Ginger simple syrup adds a bit of Asian-inspired flavor to these mouth-puckering Jell-O shots that turn the classic margarita on its head.

This spicy cantina favorite makes an excellent appetizer and thirst-quencher on a hot summer night. Get the recipe for Michelada con Camarones (Spicy Beer Cocktail with Shrimp) »

This thirst-quencher punches up pineapple and apple with cactus.

The prickly pear cactus thrives in the deserts of the American Southwest; its bulbous red fruit is prized for many Mexican and Tex-Mex preparations. This legendary margarita, which takes its distinctive flavor from the fruit, comes from bartender Ruben Bernal at Las Canarias restaurant in San Antonio, Texas.

A classic version of a Mexican cerveza preparada (prepared beer), the chavela couldn’t be simpler: tomato juice, hot sauce, beer, lemon, and ice, with a salted rim. Drink it on its own, or pair it with a shot of tequila for a real kick. See the recipe for Chavela »

This citrusy margarita from chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger is brightened with a hint of refreshing mint. If tangerines aren’t available, use oranges instead, with a pinch of sugar if they’re on the tart side. See the recipe for Tangerine-Mint Sparkling Margarita »

Canned frozen limeade intensifies the citrus flavor of a slushy Mexican-inspired libation. Pair it with grapefruit and habanero skirt steak, Mexican pork spareribs, or any spicy dish.

Made with mezcal, grilled pineapple, jalapeño, and lime, this take on the classic margarita is smoky, sweet, and spicy, with an herbaceous kick from cilantro. This recipe is based on one shared with us by Julian Medina, chef/owner of New York City’s Toloache, Yerba Buena, and Coppelia restaurants. See the recipe for Mezcalita de Pina »

At first sip, lime juice and fresh mint refresh the taste buds, but soon the smoky and spicy undertones of chipotle-infused mezcal creep over the palate. A touch of Cynar, an unusual liqueur made from artichokes, adds a veil of mystery. See the recipe for Devil’s Garden »

Blackberry liqueur gives this jewel of a cocktail, which was popular in cantinas along the Texas-Mexico border during World War II, its garnet color. Tequila or gin gives it its kick. See the recipe for Chico »

To all those who say you can’t improve on an ice-cold beer, we submit the michelada: a tart-savory eye-opener of beer, Tabasco, worcestershire, and fresh lime juice. See the recipe for Tex-Mex Michelada »

One of Mexico’s most popular cocktails, the Paloma is a perfectly refreshing combination of sweet and tart with grapefruit, lime, and a pinch of salt. Get the recipe for Paloma »

This is serious sangria, from the good ladies of the Junior League of Houston. It’s brandy and red wine infused with peaches and pineapple and brightened with ginger ale. See the recipe for Book Club Sangria »