Try These Tequila Cocktails for Cinco de Mayo
We love a margarita — truly, we do. But some of us hit our salt and sugar rim limits and never looked back. If you’re planning to hit the town this Cinco de Mayo and you’re not exactly a “blended mango marg with a sugar rim” kind of person… we got you.
Philadelphia’s going all out this Cinco, and so are we. Cinco Express, our signature bar crawl, is rolling through the city on Saturday, May 3rd. But before you get wristbanded and wild, you’ll want to know what to order once you pull up to the bar.
Here are 5 non-margarita tequila drinks that still bring the Cinco vibe — just without the blender.
El Diablo
Bold, refreshing, and surprisingly elegant.
This dramatic little number is tequila’s dark and stormy cousin, and it absolutely deserves its own moment. Bright ginger, rich blackcurrant, and a touch of heat that makes it quietly unforgettable.
What’s in it:
• Tequila Reposado
• Crème de cassis
• Fresh lime juice
• Ginger beer
• Garnished with lime & blackberry
Oaxacan Old Fashioned
For the whiskey drinker who “doesn’t like tequila” but somehow loves mezcal.
This one’s for the whiskey lover looking to venture south of the border. The mezcal adds depth, the agave softens the edges, and the bitters tie it all together like a very classy bow.
What’s in it:
• Reposado tequila
• Mezcal
• Agave nectar
• Angostura bitters
Mexican 75
For when you want to be a bit pinkies up but also slightly unhinged.
It’s tequila, but make it Champagne. The Mexican 75 takes the structure of a French 75 and swaps in tequila for a crisp, citrusy, elegant twist on a classic. You’ll want to toast with this one — probably more than once.
What’s in it:
• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Simple syrup
• Topped with Champagne or sparkling wine
Tequila Espresso Martini
For the one who got four hours of sleep and said “f–k it, I’m going out anyway.”
Swap vodka for tequila and suddenly your espresso martini becomes smoky, rich, and a little mysterious. Like if your favorite barista moonlighted as a mezcal sommelier.
What’s in it:
• Tequila
• Espresso or cold brew
• Kahlua
• Simple syrup
Naked & Famous
This cocktail may be small in size but it packs a balanced, brilliantly bold punch. Mezcal and Aperol dance together with yellow Chartreuse and lime to create something smoky, citrusy, and just a little bit rebellious. This one’s a bartender favorite, so order it confidently and watch them nod in respect.
What’s in it:
• Mezcal (preferably Del Maguey Chichicapa)
• Aperol
• Yellow Chartreuse
• Fresh lime juice
Your Tequila, Your Way — at Cinco Express
You’ve got taste. You’ve got range. You deserve a Cinco de Mayo bar crawl that caters to both. At Cinco Express, we’re celebrating tequila in all its forms — not just margaritas (though we’d really never turn one down). Come for the tequila. Stay for the atmosphere.
