Sip Into Summer: 7 Elevated Cocktails to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Beyond

Cinco de Mayo may honor a historic moment in Mexican heritage, but in the world of refined revelry, it’s also the unofficial gateway to summer’s most spirited indulgences. And while margaritas are the perennial favorite, today’s cocktail culture invites us to go beyond the basics—exploring nuanced takes, fresh botanicals, and high-quality tequilas that bring elegance to every pour.

Whether you're hosting a poolside fête, escaping to your Hamptons hideaway, or simply upgrading your at-home bar, these seven curated cocktails will elevate your glass long after the maracas stop shaking.

Crafted with Dano’s Blanco Tequila

For those who like their tequila with a side of wellness chic, this crisp refresher blends cucumber, jalapeño, and lime for a guilt-free kick.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Dano’s Blanco Tequila
  

• ¾ oz cucumber juice
  

• ¾ oz lime juice
  

• Jalapeño and cucumber slices
  

• Half salt rim (optional)

Crafted with Dano’s Reposado Tequila

A citrusy twist on the classic Paloma, this version marries the smoothness of aged tequila with the effervescence of grapefruit and sparkling water.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Dano’s Reposado Tequila
  

• 3 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  

• ½ oz agave syrup
  

• ½ oz fresh lime juice
  

• 1 oz sparkling water
  

• Garnish: grapefruit wedge, salt rim

Crafted with St-Germain & Patrón Silver

The French elderflower liqueur adds an unexpected botanical sweetness to this Margarita riff—sophisticated, floral, and dangerously easy to love.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz St-Germain
  

• 1½ oz Patrón Silver Tequila
  

• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
  

• Garnish: lime wedge

Crafted with Dano’s Coffee Reposado Tequila

Meet your new brunch companion. This smoky-meets-sweet number combines tequila’s bold edge with coffee liqueur flair and citrusy lift.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Dano’s Coffee Reposado Tequila
  

• ¾ oz lemon juice
  

• ½ oz crème de cacao
  

• ½ oz simple syrup
  

• Garnish: lemon twist or wheel

Crafted with Dano’s Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila

This spicy-sweet take on the classic margarita is your go-to for lively evenings. The tajín rim seals the deal.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Dano’s Dangerous Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila
  

• ½ oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
  

• ½ oz lime juice
  

• ½ oz agave nectar
  

• Garnish: tajín rim and fresh jalapeño slices

On the menu at SUPERBUENO, NYC

Inspired by the breakfast martini but grounded in bold Mexican flavors, this rare gem adds mole amarillo marmalade to the mix for a cocktail that’s layered, luxurious, and full of intrigue.

Ingredients:

• Blanco tequila
  

• St-Germain
  

• Fresh lime juice
  

• Mole amarillo marmalade
  

• Salt

Available at: SUPERBUENO NYC

“As a nod to London Legend Salvatore Calabrese's breakfast martini, we added the Breakfast Margarita to the menu this past fall. The martini version calls for orange marmalade so when adapting this for SUPERBUENO we decided to serve the margarita with a spoon of mole marmalade. For this spring, we’ve updated it to a mole amarillo marmalade that is made with costeño chile, yellow pepper, apricot, chayote, and raisin. This drink has a full depth of fruit, spice, and vegetal notes. It’s a nice, updated version of a margarita that stays true to the classic while showcasing iconic Mexican ingredients.” – Kip Moffitt, Head Bartender, SUPERBUENO

From Editor’s must-try list

For those craving a moodier, mezcal-forward experience, this old fashioned-style cocktail is smoky, earthy, and strikingly smooth.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz reposado tequila
  

• ½ oz mezcal
  

• 1 tsp agave nectar
  

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  

• Garnish: flamed orange peel

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of resilience, culture, and vibrant flavors—but why stop there? Let these cocktails carry you through summer’s soirées, spontaneous rooftop evenings, and golden-hour toasts. With ingredients that sing and spirits that shine, every pour becomes an occasion.

From bold and smoky to light and floral, these cocktails don’t just celebrate a holiday—they elevate a season. Salud.