Team Delish LIVES for a Taco Tuesday, a good Cinco de Mayo party, or really any excuse to have a margarita. But did you know there's tons more incredible traditional Mexican drinks out there to discover? Next time you're having Mexican food for dinner, mix up one of these 17 Mexican-inspired drinks—we’ve got everything from party favorites (like palomas and micheladas) to our non-alcoholic favorites, watermelon agua fresca and tepache, so you can enjoy them any time you want.
When it comes to Mexican cocktails, one reigns supreme: the margarita. We’re such huge fans of margaritas, we’ve created TONS of spin-offs of our fave tequila cocktail. We’ve highlighted a few of the more authentic versions here, but feel free to go wild with the flavor combinations. Another way to switch it up? Change your alcohol. Well, you’re going to want to stick with something made from agave, i.e., tequila, but try making one with an upper-shelf reposado, like in our Cadillac margarita, or switch to a smoky mezcal margarita for a fun twist.
We also have a soft spot for store-bought Mexican drinks like Jarritos soda, Topo Chico seltzer, and ofc, Mexican coke, so we turn to them often when we’re looking for simple mixers. Check out our Jarritos margaritas (so many fruit flavors to choose from), our ranch water cocktail (like an effervescent, light margarita), or a paloma (made with grapefruit soda like Squirt) to see why.
Want something non-alcoholic? If it’s summertime, your best bet is an agua fresca. These traditional Mexican drinks are made from blending fruit with sugar and water into something wildly refreshing and tasty. Ours is a watermelon agua fresca, but try out different fruits too. Looking for a cozier sipper? Try something with warming spices, like our iced horchata or our Mexican hot chocolate and champurrado.
Tepache
![Tepache - Delish.com tepache in a glass and in a jar](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tepache-5-1651698841.jpg?resize=480:*)
You can follow this step-by-step to cut your pineapple to yield juicy pieces of fruit, but what happens to all that trimmed waste? When it comes to repurposing inedible pineapple skin and the fibrous core, you can add sugar and water to those by-products and make fermented, Mexican tepache.
Get the Tepache recipe.
Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas
![spicy jalapeño margarita spicy jalapeño margarita](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/spicy-margarita1-1654529884.jpg?resize=480:*)
Infusing alcohol is one of our favorite ways to get creative with cocktails, and it works especially well with jalapeños. A long steep in tequila allows the fresh verdant flavor of the pepper to come through, along with that signature spice. To balance the heat, we recommend the addition of sliced cucumber to cool things down (but don't worry, they're still plenty hot!).
Get the Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas recipe.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
![watermelon agua fresca watermelon agua fresca](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/watermelon-agua-fresca3-1652987566.jpeg?resize=480:*)
Part watermelon juice, part limeade, and 100% refreshing, watermelon agua fresca just might be the drink of the summer. It's slightly sweet, making it a perfect daytime treat or as a mocktail option at a BBQ. (Of course, you could stir in a shot of tequila or vodka if you want it boozy.)
Get the Watermelon Agua Fresca recipe.
Michelada
![michelada in a glass with a chili salt rim garnished with a lime michelada in a glass with a chili salt rim garnished with a lime](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/michelada-1642794392.jpg?resize=480:*)
If you've never had a Michelada, you're in for a treat. The addition of hot sauce and lime juice add a spicy/sour kick that takes your average light Mexican beer from good to great. Thanks to our secret ingredient (soy sauce!), there's also a hint of umami flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
Get the Michelada recipe.
Classic Margarita
![Classic Margaritas classic margaritas with a salt rim and lime garnish](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/classic-margarita-vertical-2-641dfb8834b31.jpg?resize=480:*)
The margarita, now one of the most popular cocktails in the world, is thought to have started out as the variation on another prohibition-era drink called the "Daisy." Spanish for "daisy," the marg swapped in tequila for the requisite brandy and lime juice for lemon juice, and a classic was born.
Get the Classic Margaritas recipe.
Classic Paloma
![two glasses of paloma cocktails with sugar rims and a lime slice garnish two glasses of paloma cocktails with sugar rims and a lime slice garnish](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/paloma-1642716928.jpg?resize=480:*)
Though the margarita has become a staple of American bars, the margarita's pink-hued cousin, the Paloma, is heralded by many in Mexico as the better cocktail. It's beloved not just for its bittersweet, citrusy grapefruit flavor, but also for its simplicity. Not counting ice, all you need is 4 ingredients: tequila, lime juice, salt, and grapefruit soda.
Get the Classic Paloma recipe.
Horchata
![three glasses of horchata garnished with cinnamon sticks three glasses of horchata garnished with cinnamon sticks](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/horchata-1642713239.jpg?resize=480:*)
Horchata is a popular and refreshing drink that takes on different forms across many cultures, but it always starts with a soaked nut, seed, or grain. This classic Mexican version, Horchata de Arroz, is made by soaking rice and almonds with cinnamon and blending everything together with milk and sweetener.
Get the Horchata recipe.
Mezcal Margarita
![mezcal margarita with chili salt rim mezcal margarita with chili salt rim](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/mezcal-margarita2-1652815753.jpg?resize=480:*)
With an earthy, slightly smoky flavor, mezcal brings a uniquely savory quality to the typically tequila-based margarita. To spice things up, we add a colorful salt rim spiked with grapefruit zest and red pepper flakes. Tweak the mixture to your preference with different citrus (orange would also be delicious!) or other spices.
Get the Mezcal Margarita recipe.
Frozen Paloma
![frozen palomas frozen palomas](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/unknown-1-1655392390.jpeg?resize=480:*)
Nothing says summer like pomegranate and grapefruit... and tequila! This super-yummy, fruity Paloma slush gets a kick thanks to spicy chili powder-salt rim. Garnish with fresh ruby red grapefruit wedges for a presentation that’ll prove to your neighbors you’re this summer’s backyard party master.
Get the Frozen Paloma recipe.
Peach Margarita
![peach margaritas delish peach margaritas delish](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/delish-210525-peachmargarita-01-portrait-jg-1623188077.jpg?resize=480:*)
There are a bunch of ways to infuse a drink with fruit like steeping some actual fruit in the alcohol itself or making a syrup out of berries or fruit juice. In this case, we have packed peachy goodness into this margarita with two ingredients: peach schnapps and peach puree.
Get the Peach Margarita recipe.
Bulldog Margaritas
![Bulldog Margaritas Beauty bulldog margaritas beauty](https://hips.hearstapps.com/del.h-cdn.co/assets/16/16/1461255932-shot-1-075.jpg?resize=480:*)
A classic bulldog margarita, or a Mexican coronita, is a simple drink made from flipping a beer into a frozen margarita. Corona beer is traditional, but try it with your favorite Mexican beer too.
Get the Bulldog Margaritas recipe.
Ranch Water
![ranch water cocktail ranch water cocktail](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/ranch-water4-1648838960.jpg?resize=480:*)
A sort of effervescent, less-sweet version of a margarita, only 3 ingredients are required for ranch water: tequila, lime juice, and seltzer. (Preferably Mexican Topo Chico; some claim it’s not a real ranch water without it!) We like adding a splash of orange liqueur like Cointreau for a little added sweetness and citrus flavor too.
Get the Ranch Water recipe.
Jarritos Margaritas
![delish-jarritos-margarita jarritos margaritas](https://hips.hearstapps.com/del.h-cdn.co/assets/15/30/1437603587-delish-jarritos-margarita.jpg?resize=480:*)
How do you make a classic Mexican Jarritos soda even better? Add tequila! The light effervescence, bright colors, and lush fruity flavors like pineapple, tamarind, and guava are perfect for cocktails, especially margaritas.
Get the Jarritos Margaritas recipe.
Cadillac Margarita
![cadillac margarita cadillac margarita](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/delish-022222-cadillac-margarita-01-jg-1646407971.jpg?resize=480:*)
A Cadillac margarita is basically a higher-end margarita made with a high quality tequila (typically a reposado) and grand marnier. Reposado tequila will have notes of oak and vanilla, making this margarita really stand out.
Get the Cadillac Margarita recipe.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
![Mexican Hot Chocolate - Delish.com mexican hot chocolate](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/20190905-delish-mexican-hot-chocolate-ehg-1305-jpg-1569007275.jpg?resize=480:*)
When it's bone-chillingly cold, nothing warms us up faster than a mug of hot chocolate. We love the addition of cinnamon and cayenne in this Mexican version, meant for true spice lovers. If you prefer your drinks on the milder side, feel free to forgo the cayenne in favor of a spice that adds less heat, like chili powder.
Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe.
Grapefruit Margarita
![Grapefruit Margaritas vertical grapefruit margaritas](https://hips.hearstapps.com/del.h-cdn.co/assets/17/02/1484264257-delish-grapefruit-margaritas-pinterest3.jpg?resize=480:*)
Get the best of both worlds with this frozen cocktail inspired by the top two Mexican drinks—a margarita and a paloma.
Get the Grapefruit Margarita recipe.
Champurrado
![Champurrado thick mexican hot chocolate in a mug](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/delish-221130-champurrados-0652-eb-1670341252.jpg?resize=480:*)
Champurrado is the best kind of hot chocolate you could have on a cold winter day. Unlike the plain, watery version you make with the powdered stuff, this hot chocolate is thick, rich, and decadent. It’s technically considered a type of atole, a warm drink invented by the Aztecs that uses masa harina to thicken it. That’s right, this drink uses masa harina, which is typically used to make corn tortillas. Instead of tasting like a Choco Taco, though, the masa lends a delicately sweet corn flavor and gives the champurrado a delightful richness.
Get the Champurrado recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
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