Cantaritos

Cantaritos are a popular Mexican cocktail recipe made with tequila, citrus fruits, salt, and bubbly grapefruit soda. Each one is sweet, tangy, and incredibly refreshing. Serve it with a chile-lime rim for a burst of spice in every sip!

If you’re a fan of quick yet flavorful cocktails, cantaritos are a must-try! Much like a chelada, this drink showcases just how refreshing and thirst-quenching citrus fruits are. It’s a drink you need to try at least once.

Why I love this recipe

Since moving to Guadalajara, cantaritos have become one of my favorite cocktails of all time! Each sip is bursting with a vibrant medley of orange, grapefruit, and lime.

You can easily make a large batch and serve it like punch for a crowd-pleasing beverage at summer parties, backyard barbecues, and more. Just squeeze the citrus fruits, pour in some tequila, add a pinch of salt, and top it off with some soda!

Customize the rim with lime and salt or chamoy and Tajin. You can even make a dedicated chamoy rim dip, which is my personal favorite.

Ingredient notes

While cantaritos are very forgiving and easy to customize, you’ll need these ingredients for the most traditional flavors.

Tequila
I prefer tequila blanco in my cantarito drinks for a milder flavor, but it’s also very common to use tequila reposado. Choose any type and brand you like or have available.

Substitute: Replace tequila with white rum, vodka, or gin for a unique taste.

Citrus fruits
Freshly squeezed lime, orange, grapefruit, and lemon juice give the drink a vibrant, bright flavor. I prefer using all four citrus fruits, but I suggest using grapefruit and lime at the minimum.

Grapefruit soda
Most cantarito recipes are served with Squirt soda. If you can’t find it, use Fresca or Jarritos Grapefruit. If you can’t find any grapefruit soda, use extra grapefruit juice, club soda, and a touch of simple syrup.

Salt
Salt brings out the citrus flavors and pairs extremely well with tequila. Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for a more refined taste. These salts dissolve better and have a cleaner saltiness compared to table salt.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to the recipe card.

How to make

Follow these steps for a fun and effortless cantarito-making experience! To ensure your success, find tips in green throughout this section and watch my video tutorial down below.

Preparation

If you’re using traditional jarritos, submerge them in water to chill. This helps in keeping the drink cool for a longer duration. If you only have regular glasses, fill them with ice and water to chill.

Jarritos, which are traditionally used for cantaritos, are Mexican clay cups known for their rustic quality. The clay material helps keep drinks cool for longer and adds a unique earthiness to the drink.

Assembly

Step 1
Remove the jarritos from the water or empty the chilled regular glasses and fill them halfway with ice. Squeeze 1 ounce of orange juice, 1 ½ ounces of grapefruit juice, and a ¼ ounce each of lemon and lime juice into the jarrito or a cocktail shaker.

If you make drinks often, it’s best to invest in a handheld citrus squeezer. It will extract the maximum amount of juice from citrus fruits without getting it all over your hands.

Step 2
Pour in your tequila of choice and add a generous pinch of salt. Stir the drink to evenly disperse the flavors. If you’re using a cocktail shaker, put a lid on it and give it a shake.

Step 3
If you’ve used a cocktail shaker, add the mixture to a glass. Top off each jarrito or glass with grapefruit soda. Garnish each one with an extra pinch of salt and a wedge of lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit. For an added twist, rim the glasses with lime and salt or chamoy and Tajin. Happy drinking!

Recipe tips

Quality of tequila: Opt for a high-quality tequila blanco for a smoother taste. The quality of the spirit really influences the overall flavor of the cocktail.

Ratio of juices: Whichever citrus fruits you choose, keep the proportions the same as I recommend in this recipe. This ratio is key to the unique flavor profile of cantaritos.

Gentle stirring: Stir the mixture gently to combine flavors without diluting the drink too much. Over-stirring can make the drink too watery.

Frequently asked questions

Serving size

This recipe is for one cantarito, but you can easily scale it up for large gatherings. I recommend squeezing the citrus fruits beforehand and then storing them in your fridge in airtight glass containers or mason jars.

When you’re ready to serve your guests, just measure the juices into a punch bowl and add your favorite tequila, grapefruit soda, and salt. For a fun garnish, add slices of citrus fruits. This way, you save time and can enjoy your party without constant bartending.

Watch how to make it

More Mexican drinks

Recipe

Note: I’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.