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The ultimate Cinco de Mayo margarita recipe

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this modern twist on a classic margarita recipe. | By Hana LaRock | April 28, 2022 (Updated April 10, 2023)

Toast Cinco de Mayo by making a drink that holds the title of the most popular cocktail in the world: the margarita. Luckily for partygoers everywhere, we have the perfect margarita recipe to say cheers to Cinco de Mayo with.

Mix things up

Though the original margarita comprises just three ingredients — tequila, orange liquor and lime (and a bonus ingredient: salt) — creative chefs around the world have taken their own spin on this classic recipe since the salty and sweet libation’s global introduction almost 100 years ago.

Take Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort, for example. The all-inclusive resort puts its own spin on the popular drink by combining two of Mexico’s favorite flavors: tequila and the savory spices of al pastor, a marinated pork dish typically used in tacos. The resort’s sweet-but-spicy version melds classic margarita flavors with the herbs and spices used in tacos al pastor (crushed coriander and fiery guajillo chiles and Tajin) to create a delicious drink guaranteed to make your tastebuds dance.

Here’s how to make it yourself.

Margarita al Pastor

(Serves one)

Ingredients

1 ounce blanco tequila

½ ounce Controy liqueur

½ ounce Ancho Reyes liqueur

½ ounce lemon juice

15 leaves crushed coriander

½ piece of guajillo chile, crushed

½ ounce simple syrup

⅓ ounce Tajin

Optional

worm salt

chapulin (grasshopper)

Preparation

Fill glass completely with ice. Pour blanco tequila, Controy liqueur and Ancho Reyes liqueur, then stir.

Add lemon juice, leaves of crushed coriander, guajillo chile, tajin and simple syrup. Stir again to ensure ingredients are incorporated. Garnish with worm salt and chapulin.

If you’d like to enjoy this refreshing drink without alcohol, there is a zero-proof cocktail alternative version you can try. Just swap the tequila and liqueur with your favorite juice — we recommend going with citrus or tropical flavors like mango or pineapple juice.

Hana LaRock is a freelance writer, copyeditor and content strategist. She currently resides in Jersey City, and when she's not working, she enjoys reading, watching documentaries and scrapbooking.