How to spice up your Cinco De Mayo menu with these drink recipes

Margaritas are a popular choice when it comes to saying salud on Cinco de Mayo, but there are plenty of other delicious cocktail recipes that are equally as refreshing and festive.

The Earthy Paloma

Joseph Mortera, a brand ambassador for The Lost Explorer Mezcal, a sustainably crafted mezcal that pulls the natural flavors of Oaxaca's unique terroir, shared a simple and smokey riff on the classic grapefruit cocktail.

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounce Espadín mezcal
3 ounces grapefruit juice
1/4 ounce lime juice
Tonic water to top (optional)
Rimmed with volcanic salt & grapefruit slice

Directions
Combine all ingredients except tonic water in a shaker with ice. Shake it up. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Sit in the sunshine.

Fresh Ink Smoked Margarita

The ultra-premium tequila brand collaborated with celebrity tattoo artist JonBoy to elevate the Cinco de Mayo spirit with a unique smokey riff on the classic cocktail.

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces Patrón's Silver
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar
1 pinch of smoked paprika
Smoked sea salt rim
Lime for garnish

Directions
Prepare a rocks glass by moistening the rim and rolling it in smoked sea salt. Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to chill. Fine strain over fresh ice cubes in the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime and a dusting of smoked paprika.

Watermelon Basil Margarita

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces Patrón Reposado
1 ounce fresh watermelon juice or puree
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce agave nectar
3 basil leaves or basil simple syrup
Watermelon wedge or dehydrated lime wheel for garnish

Directions
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill. Strain onto fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with a basil leaf and wedge of watermelon or dehydrated lime wheel.

Above recipes reprinted courtesy of Patrón.

Something Spicy with Tequila

This frozen spicy, mango margarita is a fruity take on the classic with a subtle spice, concocted by the acclaimed beverage team at Sweet Liberty Drinks & Company in Miami Beach.

Ingredients
1 ounce Milagro Blanco
1/2 ounce Ojo de Tigre mezcal
3/4 ounce lime juice
3/4 ounce agave nectar
1 ounce mango puree
5 dashes chili tincture

Directions
Pour straight from slushee machine and garnish with lime wheel and sprinkling of Tajin and a small straw.

Salted Cucumber Margarita

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounce Tequila Don Ramón Punta Diamante Silver
1 ounce lime juice
3/4 ounce agave nectar
3/4 ounce triple sec
2 cucumber slices
2 jalapeno slices
1 pinch of smoked sea salt
1 sprig of basil (garnish)
Salted cucumber spear (garnish)

Directions
Add tequila, basil leaf, cucumber and jalapeño slices to a shaking tin, lightly muddle. Add all ingredients except garnishes into the shaking tin and add ice. Shake, strain and pour cocktail into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish with salted cucumber spear and sprig of basil. Serve and enjoy!