Cantaritos cocktail Recipe

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Cantaritos is a tequila cocktail that’s traditionally served in its unmissable, signature salt-rimmed clay jug. 

It combines tequila, fresh citrus juice, a splash of grapefruit soda and is then garnished with a lime wedge. In other words, it’s the taste of Mexico in a glass…or rather, a clay jug.

Not only does it taste incredible but “it’s easy to make and you have every ingredient on your doorstep,” says Rico. “Once you’ve got everything prepped, it’s a built drink, so you can just dump everything into the glass.”  Who doesn’t love simple and delicious?

How To Make a Cantaritos

What You’ll Need

• Jigger or Measuring Instrument 
• Boston Shaker
• Cup (x 3)
• Citrus Elbow 
• Citrus Press
• Paring Knife
• Cantaritos Pot (or Collins Glass)
• Plate (for the Kosher Salt)

How to Mix

1. Cut a Lime, Grapefruit, and Orange in half using a Paring Knife, saving two Lime Wedges for later.
2. Use a Citrus Elbow to squeeze Lime Juice into a Cup and set it aside.
3. Use a Citrus Press to juice the Grapefruit and Orange, placing each juice into separate Cups.
4. Pour Kosher Salt onto a Plate.
5. Rub a Lime Wedge around the rim of your Drinking Vessel (Cantaritos Pot or Rocks Glass) and dip it into the salt.
6. Use a Jigger to measure and pour Lime Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Juice, and Olmeca Blanco Tequila into the Drinking Vessel.
7. Add Ice Cubes and top off with Grapefruit Soda.
8. Garnish with a Lime Wedge. Sip and enjoy!

What is a Cantaritos Cocktail?

The Cantaritos is a classic tequila cocktail originating from Mexico and could be seen as a cousin to the Paloma cocktail – another tequila classic from Mexico.

What Does a Cantaritos Cocktail Taste Like?

“That blend of three citrus juices is sublime and with the grapefruit soda and the crisp flavor of the agave that’s coming from the Olmeca Tequila Blanco… it’s a phenomenal blend,” says Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.

The History of the Cantaritos  

While it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly who invented this drink, it’s believed to have originated during the Mexican Revolution (1910 – 1917).

It was specifically created in the state of Jalisco, the heartland of Tequila production, to reward troops after winning a battle. Today, this drink is commonly made in bars and cafes throughout Jalisco, Mexico.

Tips for Making the Perfect Cantaritos

• Choosing the right fruit
  Pink Grapefruit is Rico’s top choice for his Cantaritos, but Red Grapefruit works well too. In fact, any fresh Grapefruit Juice will do but note that different varieties will affect the sweetness and acidity.For Oranges, any sort will work, but Valencia Oranges are particularly delicious and common in Mexico. So, if you want a truly authentic Cantaritos, go for Valencia Oranges if they’re available.

• Always Juice Fresh
  “Always try and get that juice directly from the fruit,” and we couldn’t agree more. Store-bought juice may be convenient, but fresh juice makes a world of difference. So, grab a Citrus Elbow and start squeezing.

• Sweetness can vary
  The sweetness of fruit changes not only with the seasons but also varies from country to country. Depending on when and where you are, the flavor might be sweeter or more tart.

• Add Simple Syrup
  To the point above, if you find your drink is a little too tart or that your fruits aren’t sweet enough to your liking, add a touch of Simple Syrup. This will help balance out your drink a lot.
  
  Alternatively, you could add a splash of Triple Sec to accentuate the sweet Orange flavors. Don’t miss our article on the best cocktails using Triple Sec.
  
  
• Choose your favorite Grapefruit Soda
  Rico suggests using your favorite sparkling Grapefruit Soda. “Whether it’s white or pink, it doesn’t matter”, says Rico. In other words, choose what you like best.

• The perfect batched cocktail
  Since this is a built drink and both quick and easy to make, the Cantaritos is a perfect drink to make as a batched cocktail to serve at parties. Check out our article about using “parts” to make cocktails. 

Variations of a Cantaritos

Absolut Peppar Cantaritos
“Can you make a Cantaritos with Vodka instead of Tequila?”. Absolutely, and Rico has done just that!

For the vodka version of the Cantaritos, Rico swaps Tequila for Absolut Peppar and rims the Glass with Tajin Spice instead of Kosher Salt. And the result is incredible. 

With Absolut Peppar, “You get the crisp flavor of cracked Black Pepper, which is immense and works phenomenally in these drinks,” says Rico. “I wouldn’t be disappointed if I got this Vodka version instead of Tequila, even in Mexico.”

Discover Rico’s recipe for a Cantaritos made with Absolut Peppar.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for the Cantaritos

Not every cocktail has its own drinking vessel (think a Margarita or Martini), but the Cantaritos is one that does. Therefore, we highly recommend serving your Cantaritos in its traditional clay cup known as a Cantaritos de Barro.

If you don’t have one of those, a Collins Glass works well too. Alternatively, you can use a Rocks Glass or even a Mule Mug. For more information, check out this article about the different types of cocktail glassware.

To garnish your Cantaritos, be sure to rim the outside of your drinking vessel with Kosher Salt and serve with a Lime Wedge for an authentic experience.