15 Mexican Drinks Everyone Should Know (and Try!)

These classic Mexican drinks go way beyond the margarita glass. Find recipes for hot and cold drinks, cocktails and non-alcoholic sippers. ¡Salud!

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Margarita

OK, I know we said we were showcasing Mexican drinks that aren’t margaritas, but this recipe is too good not to share! Instead of using a store-bought sour mix, we make our own by combining fresh lemon and lime juice with sugar. You can even make flavored margaritas using this as a base. It’s a refreshing classic to pair with your favorite Mexican foods.

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Michelada
Taste of Home

Michelada

This spicy beer cocktail couldn’t be easier to make. Simply mix your favorite Mexican lager with lime juice and the hot sauce of your choice. Add a few dashes of umami-rich Maggi sauce and Worcestershire and enjoy! For more ideas, check out this list of beer cocktails.

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Paloma
Taste of Home

Paloma

If tequila is your jam but you don’t love the super-sweet flavor of a margarita, you’ll love its distant cousin, the paloma. Our recipe uses sparkling grapefruit soda and freshly squeezed lime juice to create a refreshing, tropical drink. Perfect for a hot summer day—just like our other summer drinks with tequila.

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Horchata
Taste of Home

Horchata

Create this authentic Mexican beverage by blending white rice and almonds together. It’s thick and creamy, and the sugar and cinnamon give the drink a sweet, comforting finish. It tastes fantastic as-is, but you can also turn it into a cocktail by adding a splash of rum. Serve it at your next shindig along with our recipe for renegadas, a ridiculously delicious Mexican cinnamon cookie.

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Bloody Maria
Taste of Home

Bloody Maria

We love classic brunch cocktails, but this drink has a fun south-of-the-border spin that’s totally unique. Unlike vodka, which can get lost in the bold flavors of tomato and hot sauce, tequila really stands out in this drink. We also kick things up a notch by adding pickled jalapeno juice. Spicy!

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Agua de Jamaica
Taste of Home

Agua de Jamaica

Did you know you can make tea with dried hibiscus flowers? This tasty beverage has only four ingredients: hibiscus, water, sugar and lime zest. It’s as refreshing as iced tea on a hot day, but without any of the caffeine.

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Taste of Home

Red River Margarita

OK, this recipe might be a little more Tex-Mex than Mexican, but there’s no doubt that this Red River Margarita takes some spicy hints from Mexican cuisine. Try it with grapefruit or blood orange juice and don’t forget the jalapeños!

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TMB STUDIO

Cerveza Margaritas

Combine your favorite Mexican beer with, tequila, lime and more to make this riff on a margarita. Pair with one of our Mexican chicken recipes for the perfect summer meal.

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THE ROSADA
Courtesy Gastronom

The Rosada

This tequila drink was inspired by the paloma, but it uses fresh grapefruit juice instead of the bubbly soda version. To balance out the tart flavors, our friends at Gastronom sweeten the drink with a homemade rosemary simple syrup—which is really simple to make.

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CHAMPURRADO
Courtesy Mexico in my Kitchen

Champurrado

This thick and creamy Mexican hot chocolate recipe is so good, I’m tempted to serve it for dessert! Our friends at Mexico in my Kitchen use masa harina corn flour to thicken the chocolate and create the perfect texture for this non-alcoholic drink.

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MEXICAN PONCHE
Courtesy Isabel Eats

Mexican Ponche

Like most of our favorite warm drinks, this fruity punch is typically served at Christmastime, but we think it tastes delicious all year long! It’s slightly reminiscent of a sangria, except it’s served warm with whole fruit in the cup. You’ll love the combination of guava, apples, pears, oranges, tamarind and hibiscus. Serve each mug with a splash of rum or brandy, if you like.

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The Carajillo
Courtesy Food La La

The Carajillo

Serve this coffee cocktail hot or cold—your choice! In the summer, it’s a perfect way to use cold brew coffee. The recipe is super simple: coffee, orange zest and Licor 43, a Spanish-made liqueur with a vanilla and citrus flavor. If you can’t find the Licor 43, feel free to swap in brandy or whiskey.

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Aguas Frescas Summer Mexican Drinks
Courtesy Cookie + Kate

Aguas Frescas

Hello, watermelon agua fresca! These non-alcoholic Mexican drinks are the ultimate refresher. All you need is the fruit of your choice, a touch of sweetener and some lime juice. Blend it up with water and garnish the drink with a few mint leaves.

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PRICKLY PEAR MARGARITA
Courtesy Inspired by Charm

Prickly Pear Margarita

Upgrade your margarita game with prickly pear, a cactus fruit that tastes like a mix between watermelon and pears. It gives the drink a fuchsia color and a boost of flavor. Garnish each drink with a slice of fresh lime for a gorgeous, delicious treat!

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Batidos
Courtesy Toot Sweet

Batidos

Cool down on a hot day with batidos. These Latin American milkshakes are made with fresh fruit, and they’re super easy to make at home. All you need is milk, a handful of your favorite fruit and a splash of vanilla extract. To make a dairy-free version, feel free to use non-dairy milk or water instead.

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Lindsay D. Mattison
Lindsay has been writing for digital publications for seven years and has 10 years of experience working as a professional chef. She became a full-time food writer at Taste of Home in 2023, although she’s been a regular contributor since 2017. Throughout her career, Lindsay has been a freelance writer and recipe developer for multiple publications, including Wide Open Media, Tasting Table, Mashed and SkinnyMs. Lindsay is an accomplished product tester and spent six years as a freelance product tester at Reviewed (part of the USA Today network). She has tested everything from cooking gadgets to knives, cookware sets, meat thermometers, pizza ovens and more than 60 grills (including charcoal, gas, kamado, smoker and pellet grills). Lindsay still cooks professionally for pop-up events, especially when she can highlight local, seasonal ingredients. As a writer, Lindsay loves sharing her skills and experience with home cooks. She aspires to motivate others to gain confidence in the kitchen. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking with fresh produce from the farmers market or planning a trip to discover the best new restaurants.