When it comes to the cuisine and cocktails, the key to making the most of a Mexican vacation is simply starting a conversation. The best hotels and resorts will always have fun, delicious, and creative dishes on the menus, but if there’s a certain ingredient or element you prefer, don’t be afraid to let the server and chef or mixologist know, because there’s a strong chance they’ll be willing to whip something up for you.
At least that’s almost always the case with cocktails on my various adventures. A regular margarita or mezcalita is typically fine, and if it’s made with all fresh juices then it’s even better. But there’s almost always a very special recipe in someone’s head, and all it takes is a simple request to make it happen.
For example, when I asked a couple ultra-cool Mexican hotels to knock my socks off with their best recipes for Cinco de Mayo, they did not disappoint. Good luck making these, and feel free to tell your friends and guests that you invented them all by yourself. We won’t share your secret.
The Tropical Diamond
The Place: Hacienda Encantada Resort and Residences
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz White rum
- 3 oz Orange juice
- 1.5 oz Mango juice
- 0.5 oz Grenadine
- Tajín fruit seasoning
How to Make It:
Pour all ingredients into a blender and add ice to mix well. Rim glass with tajin salt and garnish with a pineapple slice. Pour blended mixture into glass and enjoy!
South Margarita
The Place: Pierre Mundo Imperial
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz of Tequila reposado
- 0.5 oz of Tequila liqueur
- 1.5 oz Mixture of lemon and lime juices
- 1.5 oz Simple syrup
- Splash of whiskey
- Twists of orange, lime, and lemon peelings
- To garnish: grasshopper salt and two margarita flowers
How to Make it:
Decorate your martini glass with a rim of grasshopper salt. Mix the tequila reposado, tequila liqueur, lemon and lime juice, simple syrup and twists from orange, lemon, and lime in a chilled shaker. Shake the mix prominently, pour the whiskey into glass, and then pour the contents of the shaker using the strainer. Garnish with two margarita flowers and enjoy!
