Cantaritos Cocktail
Cinco de Mayo is next week and that means it’s time to make sure you have everything you need to celebrate. Sure, you’ve got avocados, plenty of lemons and limes, ground beef, shredded cheese and tortillas. But do you have what you need to make the perfect Cinco de Mayo cocktail? I’m not talking about the Margarita, although that’s always a popular choice this time of year. You could even make a Paloma which is pretty much the grapefruit version of a margarita. There’s even the Michelada and Daiquiri. While they’re all great choices, there’s another drink out there that’s very popular south of the border and yet for some reason isn’t nearly as well known here in the States. It’s the Cantaritos.
Named after the vessel it’s served in, this adorable cocktail can be found in bars and restaurants all throughout Jalisco, Mexico. They’re so popular in fact, vendors line the streets serving them up. Why are they so adorable? Because unlike the significantly more common margarita which can be served on the rocks, or blended in every kind of glass on earth, the Cantaritos is always served in a little clay pot, or cantarito. That red clay pot is Jalisco’s answer to America’s Solo cup. Yes, it’s red, but since it’s made from clay, it’s much better for the environment. Believe it or not, these pots are meant to be disposable. The earth goes back to the earth, right? (Mine’s so pretty, though, I’m keeping it!) But it’s not just about sustainability. Turns out that red clay also helps keep the drink cool. Yes, you still need ice. But much like a cooler, the clay will help the ice stick around longer which means your drink will be ice cold even on the hottest days.
This drink reminds me of a tiki cocktail with tequila. Some would say it’s a more tropical paloma because it’s made with grapefruit soda. But adding the orange and lime juices definitely moves it into the tiki realm. The fact that it’s served up in a cool little clay pot that may or may not be fancily decorated pushes it even deeper into tiki territory. Top it off with lime and grapefruit wedges and you’ve got an awesome looking cocktail that’s perfect for the start of summer and this wonderful holiday.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1-1/2 ounces orange juice
- 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 2-3 ounces grapefruit soda
Instructions
- Line the rim of your jug with chili salt or tajin. Then pour the first four ingredients (through the lime juice) into the jug. Add ice and top with soda. Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit and lime. Serve with a straw and enjoy.
