Erin Elizabeth
Mexico is a land filled with magic and wonder, home to over 30 UNESCO heritage sites. The country has some of the most delicious foods – and drinks – that are a favorite for many worldwide.
However, except for the Margarita and Tequila, most Mexican drinks go unnoticed. Taking the time to discover the best Mexican drinks is like Alice in Wonderland going through the rabbit hole.
It’s a never-ending journey of delicious goodness, each beverage telling a unique story.
Sweet, sour, savory, and spicy combine in a festival of flavors that will leave you clamoring for more!
Mexican Drinks
Without further ado, these are the best beverages in Mexico.
Margarita
Margarita was born when Margarita Sames – an American socialite, mixed her two best spirits, tequila, and Cointreau, with lime juice while she was in Acapulco on vacation in 1948.
It requires only three ingredients and is an iconic cocktail that has stood the test of time.
The ingredients of a margarita include:
- Lime wedges
- Cointreau
- Your choice of tequila
Michelada
The Michelada is a popular Mexican cocktail that combines regular beer with hot sauce and lime.
It’s akin to a Bloody Mary mixed with tomato juice, but this isn’t always the case.
It’s a low-alcohol cocktail that’s refreshing to drink at any time. The ingredients of a Michelada include:
- Hot sauce
- Lime
- Light beer
Paloma
The Paloma is a quintessential summer cocktail: it’s a classic Mexican drink that has a mix of sweet, salty, and sour notes, all coming together to deliver a boozy punch.
Grapefruit is at the heart of the Paloma, but it’s easy to make, requiring the simplest ingredients to serve.
In a Paloma, you’ll find:
- Lime
- Grapefruit juice/soda
- Tequila
Agua de Jamaica
Also known as Hibiscus Water, Agua de Jamaica is a tart and delicious drink I love because of the deep red color.
Steeped hibiscus leaves are the main ingredients, but you can elevate the flavor with a dash of lime to make it simply sublime.
The ingredients of an Aqua de Jamaica are a bit more complex. They include:
- Lime
- Dried hibiscus
- Sugar
- Cinnamon stick
- Clove
- Allspice
Agua Frescas
Agua Frescas is one of my favorite methods to enjoy the fresh fruits of summer.
It’s a delightful fruit drink that’s common all over Mexico.
Moreover, it needs only water, a mix of fruit, lime, and some sweetener for taste.
The natural ingredients make it a better option than regular soda. The ingredients are:
- Fresh fruit
- Water
- Lime juice
Champurrado
Chocolate has been an integral part of Mexican culture since the Aztec Era.
Today, the Champurrado is enjoyed, especially during the festive season.
This delicious drink is available in many small bakeries and sweet shops, especially in December.
It’s a thick, chocolate broth that warms your soul on cold Christmas nights!
To make a Champurrado, you’ll need to include:
- Mexican Chocolate
- Milk
- Piloncillo
- Cinnamon
Horchata
This Mexican drink, also known as Oaxaca, is a traditional beverage and an excellent companion for Cinco de Mayo.
Horchata is a rice-based refreshment that can be sweet, spicy, or flavorful, depending on the components.
It’s prepared in various forms and is one drink that pairs well with many Mexican meals. The ingredients include:
- Cinnamon
- Rice
- Water
- Whole Milk
- Sugar
Atole
Masa Harina is a type of corn flour popular for making tortillas.
However, this flour also comes to good use for Atole, a warm, delicious corn beverage that’s a comfort food during the cold winter.
It’s simple to prepare and is perfect for the family. The thick, creamy consistency is why I relish this drink so much! The ingredients are:
- Masa Harina
- Vanilla
- Piloncillo
- Cinnamon
Café de Olla
Café de Olla is a spiced Mexican coffee I always enjoyed with my grandma.
The “Coffee from a Pot” is a favorite drink in rural and cold climates across Latin America.
I love this coffee for outdoor adventures. The firewood smoke combined with the intense cinnamon smell makes it extra special. The ingredients you’ll need to make this drink are:
- Cinnamon stick
- Water
- Ground coffee
- Piloncillo
Carajillo
Carajillo is a Mexican and Spanish all-time favorite that’s spiked coffee.
It’s an excellent digestif that originated in Spain but is now integral to Mexican food culture.
Carajillo is a hot and sweet caffeinated drink that combines liqueur from the Spanish Mediterranean coast with coffee and various ingredients for that unique taste. In your Carajillo, you’ll find:
- Cinnamon
- Lemon
- Coffee
- Liqueur 43
- Sugar
Cerveza Margaritas
Cerveza Margaritas is a refreshing beer cocktail with subtle fruit flavors and an undertone of sweetness. I prefer it served over crushed ice on hot days.
The limeade component may be bothersome for some, and it’s best not to use micro-brews to prevent the beer ingredient from overpowering the delicate flavors.
Cerveza Margaritas include:
- Tequila
- Water
- Beer
- Limeade concentrate
Check out some popular Mexican beers to use in this recipe!
Tequila
Tequila is one of the best Mexican drinks you can try and arguably the most famous in Mexico.
It’s a spirit distilled from the agave plant and produced in specific Mexican regions.
This beverage has many styles but is enjoyed worldwide – particularly in the US and Mexico.
Jarritos
Jarritos de feria is mostly known as Jarritos de feria because this authentic Mexican drink is often found in Mexican fairs.
This drink is an excellent representation of Mexican fairs: fun, flair, flavor, and color!
It’s a great summertime drink for family and friends. In a Jarittos, expect to find:
- Orange juice
- Chile lime
- Lime juice
- Grapefruit juice
Tepache
Tepache de Pina is a fizzy pineapple drink made from slightly fermented pineapple peels.
I like the delicious flavor and the idea of using fruit parts that often end up in the bin to make something so light, refreshing, and sweet.
A Tepache includes:
- Piloncillo
- Water
- Pineapple peels
Rompope
Rompope, or Mexican Eggnog, is a unique drink renowned for its bright yellow color and velvety smoothness.
It’s creamy and delightful, consisting of only egg yolks as the main ingredient.
This beverage was invented by 17th-century nuns, spreading throughout the Catholic church before becoming famous across Mexico.
A Rompope includes:
- Egg yolks
- Milk
- Cinnamon stick
- Cloves
- Sugar
Tejate
Tejate is renowned in the Oaxaca region in Mexico and is a non-alcoholic beverage consisting chiefly of ground cocoa beans and corn.
It’s a unique Mexican drink that traces its root to the ancient Zapotec people.
I like to drink authentic Tejate from a jicara in front of the vendor and smack my lips to appreciate this amazing brew!
Tejate contains:
- Ground cacao beans
- Mamey seeds
- Sugar
- Ground white corn
Mexican Drinks
- Margarita
- Michelada
- Paloma
- Agua de Jamaica
- Agua Frescas
- Champurrado
- Horchata
- Atole
- Cafe de Olla
- Carajillo
- Cerveza Margaritas
- Tequila
- Jarritos
- Tepache
- The Carajillo
- Rompope
- Tejate
Final Thoughts
The drinks above represent some of Mexico’s best, but there’s still so much more to this colorful nation than meets the eye.
The country is renowned for its unique flavors, and many beverages offer interesting combinations worthy of debate. Still, the flavors are superb, and you can’t go wrong trying out any of the drinks above.
Learn more about food on our blog, like tasty Mexican snack foods to pair with these drinks!
