One of the great things—and there are so many—about Mexican food is the vast array of choices, styles, and varieties that are available. More and more people outside of Mexico are beginning to understand that Mexican food from Oaxaca is not the same as Mexican food from the Yucatán or Baja. It makes sense because Mexico is such a large country that there is a wide range of regional Mexican food. Well, guess, what? There's also a vast array of Mexican drinks to choose from, and we're here to share the recipes to some of them so you can try them at home.
More from MamásLatinas: Traditional Mexican dishes you should learn how to make
So when you think of Mexican drinks, margaritas probably come to mind. And yes, we have a margarita recipe to share with you as well as other tequila cocktails, a mezcal cocktail, and nonalcoholic Mexican drinks that you most definitely need to try. Check them out and try them out. There are plenty of options available for both the adults and children in your family.
Did you know you can drink a saladito?
Saladitos are usually dried plums or apricots that are covered in salt or salt and chile, but there's also a mezcal cocktail called a saladito. You make it by mixing lime, honey, mezcal, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Make agua de Jamaica also known as hibiscus tea.
Agua de jamaica is a hibiscus tea made from dried hibiscus flowers, water, and sugar. You can drink it hot or cold. To be honest, we recommend the cold version on hot days because it is beyond refreshing. You can also adjust the amount of sugar that you use to suit your taste.
Atole is made with masa harina.
Atole is served hot and is perfect for cool evenings or any time during the winter. It's made out of masa harina, which is the same kind of flour used to make corn tortillas. Of course, it ends up tasting much better that a watery corn tortilla because it gets sweetened to perfection.
Café de holla got its name from the pot it's made in.
Traditionally, café de holla gets made in clay pots and so its name literally translates to "pot coffee." If you've ever had café de holla, you know it has a sweet and cinnamon-y flavor to it that makes it quite unique.
Mexican ponche smells like Christmastime in Mexico.
This warm and fruity drink is the punch that is traditionally served during Christmastime in Mexico. It tastes delicious even without alcohol, but don't be afraid to spike it with a bit of white rum.
Have you tried a Bloody Maria?
Think of a Bloody Maria as the Mexican cousin of a Bloody Mary. A Bloody Mary is made using vodka, which is hard to taste because of all the robust flavors that are also in the cocktail. But a Bloody Maria uses tequila, which makes its presence known when you take a sip.
Champurrado is not your typical hot chocolate.
Yes, champurrado is served hot and has a chocolate flavor, but it is not hot chocolate. It's thicker than hot chocolate because it uses masa harina in the recipe and it's spiced in a way that would make regular hot chocolate blush.
Horchata goes so well with spicy foods.
Milk helps your body deal with capsaicin, which is the oil in chiles that makes them spicy. That's why horchata, which is a rice- and milk-based drink is a great option for when you are eating spicy foods.
Like we could leave a classic margarita out?
Margaritas are served at pretty much any Mexican restaurant that has a liquor license. Making one is pretty darned easy, but if you don't feel up to the task, you can always buy a mix. Truth be told, the ones made with mixes never seem to taste as good as the ones made from scratch.
Try making a paloma.
A paloma is a delicious tequila cocktail made with just four ingredients. Contrary to what many believe, the paloma and not the margarita is the most popular tequila-based cocktail in Mexico. Sorry, margarita.
Nothing beats the heat like an ice cold agua de tamarindo.
This popular Mexican drink is made with just three ingredients: tamarind pods, water, and sugar. The result is a tart and sweet drink that tastes amazing on a hot summer day. If you know, you know.
Tepache is made with pineapple peels.
The next time you buy a fresh pineapple, you might want to try your hand at making tepache. Tepache is a fermented drink made out of the peels and rinds of pineapples. It also gets flavored with sugar and spices.
How to make a michelada from scratch.
A michelada is a beer that's been all gussied up with lime, all kinds of mouthwatering sauces like chamoy, and chile. Nowadays, they are so popular that you can make them using a mix, but when you make them from scratch, you get to control the flavors.
If you like prepared beers, try a chavela.
A chavela is similar to a michelada in that it is a cerveza preparada, but it uses different ingredients and usually different kinds of beers. They are both delicious and definitely both worth trying. The chavela is a bit simpler to prepare, if that makes a difference to you.
And then there’s the chelada!
A chelada is another take on the cerveza preparada. There is no official recipe for it, but basically, you add fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt, to a glass that has been rimmed with Tajín, then fill the glass with ice and pour the beer over the ice. Get the recipe here.
Have you tried a carajillo?
A carajillo is a popular after-dinner spiked coffee drink. It is spiked with Licor 43, which is made with 43 secret ingredients, but you will for sure taste some cinnamon, anise, orange blossom, and vanilla.
