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20 tequila cocktails, just in time for Cinco de Mayo

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20 tequila cocktails, just in time for Cinco de Mayo

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 01 May 2026

By
Lulu Morris

Take your pick for the May 5 celebrations – or whenever tequila is calling.

There’s a long stretch from Easter to Christmas (or Halloween, if that’s your thing) without a fun holiday to break things up. And unfortunately, those barren months land smack-bang in the depths of Australian winter. Grim. But first comes Cinco de Mayo – your new excuse to celebrate.

Translated as “Fifth of May” after its annual date, it marks a surprise Mexican victory over French forces in 1862, and it’s since grown into a wider celebration of Mexican culture, especially in the US.

In Australia, Cinco de Mayo is more of a quiet achiever, but you’ll still spot the odd themed night or festival with good food, music and some excellent tequila cocktails. Better yet, you can host your own fiesta. Tequila is having a serious moment right now, so, if you’re looking for an excuse to celebrate, here are 20 tequila cocktails to choose from for your Cinco de Mayo party.

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1. Classic Margarita

We’re kicking off with an obvious pick, but if it’s been a while between classic Margaritas, it’s time to be reminded why it remains an icon. Light, citrusy and sweet with that fresh green bite from blanco tequila, this is full of bright flavours and endlessly refreshing. It’s the most-ordered cocktail in the world for a reason: simple, balanced and just damn good.

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2. Paloma

No tequila cocktail list is complete without a Paloma. Often outshone by the Marg, the Paloma, meaning “dove,” is one of Mexico’s best-loved drinks, with some calling it the country’s true national cocktail. Built with tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda over ice, it’s simple, bright and bubbly, striking a perfectly refreshing sweet-sour balance that’s hard to dethrone.

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3. Tommy’s Margarita

Up there with the all-time tequila classics, the Tommy’s Margarita is a simple twist. All it does is sub out Cointreau for agave syrup, but this one small tweak makes for a lighter, slightly sweeter take, which is served on ice – unlike the traditional Marg. This is an excellent base to riff from, as a range of the following recipes prove.

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4. Batanga

Blanco tequila: good. Lime juice: good. Coca-Cola: very good. Knife? Play on. Meet the Batanga, a Mexican favourite served with, yes, a knife in a highball glass. It’s similar to a Cuba Libre, but swaps rum for tequila. The result is sweet cola, zesty lime and sharp hits of blanco tequila. And it gets bonus points for top value. Salud!

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5. Pineapple and Coconut Margarita

Everyone agrees the OG Marg is up there with the best, but mash it up with a Piña Colada and the competition gets even hotter. This tropical twist on a Tommy’s Marg blends zingy citrus, creamy coconut and sweet pineapple into one dangerously drinkable hybrid. We reckon it’s the best mash-up since cheese and onion chips (big call).

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6. Sour Strawberry Highball

The Sour Strawberry Highball is a sweet, tangy, fizzy cocktail with a sour edge. Fresh strawberries and lemon are lifted by kombucha, then rounded out with agave and blanco tequila. Fun, sparkling and fruit-driven, this is finished with a sugared strawberry on top, completing an easy, refreshing sipper that would be an ideal aperitif for getting a Cinco de Mayo party started.

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7. Italian Margarita

Can’t decide between a Margarita and an Amaretto Sour? “Por qué no los dos?” The Italian Marg blends reposado tequila, amaretto’s almond sweetness and bright citrus into a nutty twist on the classic. Orange juice adds freshness, while reposado brings complexity and depth. Finished with an amaretti, it’s a festive, Cinco de Mayo-ready cocktail (ignore the ‘Italian’ in its name) that tastes like celebration.

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8. Coconut Limoncello Margarita

“They put the limoncello in the coconut and shake it all up.” Isn’t that how the song goes? Close enough. Another tantalising tequila cocktail, this is another mash-up of a Margarita and Piña Colada, blending tequila, lime, coconut cream and limoncello into a bright, creamy, tropical drink. It almost tastes like a holiday.

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9. Cherry Margarita

Another twist on a Tommy’s Marg, this cocktail uses reposado or añejo tequila – your call – for extra depth, plus muddled pitted cherries (frozen can work well here) bring a sweet-tart punch. Bold, bright and beautifully balanced, it’s the ultimate showstopper for your Cinco de Mayo party. And it looks real pretty, too.

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10. Raspberry Tequila Sangria

This drink sits somewhere between a Sangria and a Margarita, taking the easy, fruit-filled spirit of the Spanish wine-based drink and giving it a tequila upgrade. Traditionally made with red wine and fruit, Sangria gets a twist here with rosé, tequila and ginger ale. Bright, spiced and citrusy, it’s a refreshing make-ahead punch that gets better as it sits (with a large ice cube to avoid dilution).

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11. Lagerita

We’re big fans of getting the best of both worlds, and that’s what this delicious hybrid delivers. The Lagerita means no more beer FOMO when you’re stuck choosing between a pint and a cocktail. This zesty, malty crossover blends beer and Margarita into one glass. Tangy, fizzy and lightly bitter, it’s a Mexican-inspired combo that’s made for catch-ups with friends.

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12. Margarita Soda

Ever wished your Margarita had bubbles? We heard you. This one takes everything you love about a Tommy’s Margarita and tops it with soda for a lively, effervescent twist. It’s not just dilution – it’s balance, softening tequila, lime and agave into something lighter and longer. This is the kind of refreshingly sweet and sour cocktail that keeps you coming back.

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13. Spicy Mango Margarita

Everyone loves a spicy Marg and this one brings the heat with hot sauce and Tajín seasoning on the glass rim, balanced by mango, lime and orange juice. It’s blender-friendly, which is a huge plus for busy party hosts, and it’s bold, spicy, sweet and refreshing. Best of all? It’s dynamite next to a plate of fish tacos. Yum.

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14. Iced Tea-Quila

Love a pun? So do we: enter the Iced Tea-quila. A spiced-up “tea” made for sunny afternoons and balmy evenings – or when you want to pretend it is. Chilled English breakfast tea, blanco tequila and apricot liqueur is lifted with lemon and grapefruit. Fruity, tangy and lightly bitter, it’s refreshing with just the right amount of edge. Plus, how cute’s the name?

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15. Oaxaca Old Fashioned

Keen to take a step into the mysterious, smoky world of mezcal? Start here. The Oaxaca Old Fashioned is a noughties-born classic that swaps the usual bourbon for a mix of tequila and mezcal, bringing a brighter, smokier edge to the original. It’s balanced with agave and finished with an orange twist. Simple, but seriously refined.

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16. Mexican Mule

The Moscow Mule started as a clever way to use up vodka, blending it with ginger beer and lime into a copper-cup classic. This twist keeps that same formula but swaps in tequila. Known as the Mexican Mule (or El Burro), it’s a refreshing mix: smooth tequila, zesty lime and spicy ginger beer over plenty of ice. A perfect spicy little sipper for that dry autumn arvo. Dead easy, too.

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17. Ranch Water

It sounds a little like something you’d serve a horse, but trust us, it’s far better than that. A West Texas classic, Ranch Water is simply blanco tequila, lime and soda water, but this is so much more than the sum of its parts. Light, tangy and ultra-refreshing, it’s a crisp, citrusy hit with a dry, sparkling finish. Perfect as an easy aperitif or a clean break from sweeter tequila cocktails.

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18. Lemon Sherbert Margarita

Combining limoncello and lemon sorbet in a Margarita might suggest a lemon overload, but it really works. This Italian-meets-Mexican riff transforms the classic Marg into something brighter, creamier and almost sherbet-like (its the sour tang). It’s dessert in cocktail form: citrusy, refreshing and a little cheeky. This is a great recipe for your tequila arsenal, and perfect for Cinco de Mayo.

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19. Lychee Margarita

The noughties are making a comeback and the Lychee Margarita is proof (if you were around for the early 2000s, you know lychees were everywhere). This tropical twist on the classic blends blanco tequila, lime, agave and lychee syrup for something sweet, zesty and refreshing. A salt-dipped lychee garnish keeps it playful, while still honouring that Tommy’s-style balance underneath.

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20. Kiss All The Time Paloma

Well, don’t mind if we do. Named after the most recent Harry Styles album, this cocktail creation is a certified banger. It sticks to the OG Paloma formula – blanco tequila, grapefruit juice, lime and a pinch of salt – but levels things up with the addition of a Watermelon Cruiser, dialling Harry Styles all the way up.