How to Make the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos

Bar tools you’ll need

Jigger

Knife

How to Mix

Pour Mexican Spice Mix seasoning consisting of lime, chili peppers and salt onto a Small Plate.
Rub a Lime Wedge around the rim of your drinking vessel (Cantaritos Pot or Collins Glass) and dip it into the Mexican Spice Mix.
Cut a Lime, Grapefruit, and Orange in half using a Paring Knife, saving two Lime Wedges for later.
Use a Citrus Elbow to squeeze Lime Juice into a Cup and set it aside.
Use a Citrus Press to juice the Grapefruit and Orange, placing each into separate Cups.
Use a Jigger to measure and pour Lime Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Juice, and Absolut Peppar into your Cantaritos Pot or Collins Glass.
Add Ice Cubes and top off with Grapefruit Soda.
Garnish with a Lime Wedge.

Watch Rico make a classic Cantaritos and a Cantaritos with vodka:

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What is an Absolut Peppar Cantaritos Cocktail?

The Absolut Peppar Cantaritos is a vodka twist on the classic Mexican tequila cocktail, the Cantaritos. When inventing this drink in 2024, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador opted for Absolut Peppar, our pepper-flavored vodka to really spice things up. And it works wonders!

What Does an Absolut Peppar Cantaritos Taste Like?

Sure, just like the original Cantaritos, the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos boasts the delicious blend of three citrus juices and the effervescence from the grapefruit soda. But that’s just the beginning.

“You get the crisp flavor of cracked black pepper from Absolut Peppar, which is immense and works phenomenally,” says Rico. “I wouldn’t be disappointed if I got this vodka version instead of tequila…even in Mexico!” he admits.

The History of the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos

The Absolut Peppar Cantaritos was created in summer 2024 by Bartender and Absolut Global Ambassador, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan.

After making a classic Cantaritos for the ‘Absolut Drinks with Rico’ YouTube series, Rico, as always, decided to experiment by using Vodka instead of the drink’s original spirit. He chose Absolut Peppar (Pepper-Flavored Vodka) and, well, it was a success!

The original Cantaritos, on the other hand, is believed to have been invented sometime during the Mexican Revolution (1910 – 1917), in the state of Jalisco, the heartland of Tequila production.

Tips for Making the Perfect Absolut Peppar Cantaritos

Pink Grapefruit
Pink Grapefruit is Rico’s top choice for both the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos and the original Cantaritos. The truth is though any fresh Grapefruit Juice will do. However, it’s important to know that different varieties will affect the sweetness and acidity.
Always juice fresh…especially Grapefruit
Whatever cocktail you’re making, “Always try and get that juice directly from the fruit, especially when it comes to Grapefruit Juice” advises Rico. Trust us, it makes a world of difference to your drink.
The right amount of sweetness
The sweetness of fruit changes not only with the seasons but also varies from country to country.If you find that your drink is too tart or isn’t sweet enough, add a touch of Simple Syrup, which will balance out your drink.
Choose your favorite Grapefruit Soda
Choose your favorite sparkling Grapefruit Soda. “Whether it’s white or pink, it doesn’t matter”, says Rico.

Variations of an Absolut Peppar Cantaritos

Cantaritos
Being that the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos is a variation of the classic Cantaritos, it’s only fair that we cite the original, of course!

The Cantaritos is a Tequila-based cocktail originating from Mexico and could be seen as a cousin to another Tequila-based classic from Mexico, the Paloma.

A traditional Cantaritos combines Tequila, fresh citrus juice, and a splash of Grapefruit Soda, then garnished with a Lime Wedge. In other words, it’s the taste of Mexico in a glass…or rather, a clay jug. Here’s our recipe for a classic Cantaritos.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos

Not many cocktails have a dedicated drinking vessel (think Margarita or Martini), but the Cantaritos does. A traditional Cantaritos is served in a clay cup or jug known as an Cantaritos de Barro.Therefore, to keep things as close to the original as possible, we recommend serving your Absolut Peppar Cantaritos in a Cantaritos de Barro as well. Alternatively, a Collins Glass works well too. Check out this article to learn more about the different types of cocktail glassware.
To garnish the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos, Rico suggests rimming the outside of your drinking vessel with a Mexican Spice Mix seasoning consisting of lime, chili peppers and salt instead of Kosher Salt and then garnishing with a Lime Wedge.

Absolut Peppar Cantaritos FAQ

What is a Cantaritos Mug or Cantaritos Cup?

What is a Cantaritos Mug?

The Cantaritos de Barro is a traditional Mexican clay pot used to serve the Cantaritos…and now the Absolut Peppar Cantaritos.

“Traditionally, the cups are soaked in water for as long as possible overnight if you can, this just makes them very porous, it soaks up a lot of cold water, and it actually means your drink will stay colder longer,” explains Rico.