You may not be familiar with this traditional Mexican Drink! A Cantarito is similar to a paloma cocktail in that it is a tequila based cocktail made with grapefruit soda and citrus juices. But this drink has a more complex citrus base of fresh squeezed lime, grapefruit and orange juice. The fun part is that it is served in a clay cup that helps keep your drink nice and cold!
This is truly a deliciously balanced cocktail. You get the tartness of lime and grapefruit, sweetness of the grapefruit soda and orange juice and a little salty earthiness from the tequila and kosher salt.
If you love tequila cocktails and are ready for something other than a margarita you should check out this Tequila Cobbler, Tequila Mojito or Tequila Lemonade!
Cantarito Clay Cups
If you notice in the picture above these cocktails are traditionally served in clay cups. They look like a terra cotta or clay pot that you would plant a small cactus in!
In Mexico these cups are traditionally used for Cantaritos. They are called Jarrito or Jarrito de Barro. Jarrito is translated as “little jug” and Barro is translated as “clay”, so it literally means little clay jug, which is perfect!
You can find these clay cups on Amazon or more artisan options on Etsy. These are the Jarritos I purchased on Amazon.
You can buy them unglazed or glazed.
- UNGLAZED cups will need to be soaked in ice cold water for about 10-15 minutes before you drink from them. This has two purposes; to chill the glass for a really nice cold drink, and to saturate the clay so it doesn’t absorb your cocktail. You will also want to make sure you don’t use soap on these cups, they are meant to only be rinsed with water.
- GLAZED cups are raw clay on the outside and glazed on the inside so your drink won’t soak into the cup. These can also be soaked in ice water but it isn’t totally necessary. They are also generally dishwasher safe.
Drinking Experience
You can absolutely make this Cantarito Cocktail in a normal highball glass BUT I highly recommend purchasing the Traditional Clay Cups!! The drinking experience is equivalent to drinking a Mule out of a copper glass.
The drink stays super cold because of the clay. If you are a tactile person you are going to LOVE the hand feel of the clay cup, it is super cold and slightly wet/sweaty. It’s just unique all around… when have you ever drank out of clay cups!
Ingredients
You need a silver tequila, fresh grapefruit, orange, and lime, and grapefruit soda to make your Cantarito.
Tequila: a silver or tequila blanco works best in this Mexican cocktail. I like Jose Cuervo Traditional ($), Espolon ($$), Cazadores ($$), or Casa Migos ($$$).
Grapefruit Soda: There are a few options for the soda added. You can grab any of these brands: Jarritos, Squirt, Fever Tree, Q Mixers. Use Fresca for less sugar but it will change the flavor of the drink.
More Tequila Cocktails
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The Best Cantarito Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker optional (can also use a mason jar, just be careful since it's glass)
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- 2 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- .5 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 oz grapefruit soda Squirt or something similar
- pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
Cups/Glasses
- You can use traditional clay cups called Jarritos de Barro or if you don't have those just use a highball glass.
- Two types of Clay Cups (Jarritos de Barro)-UNGLAZED cups will need to be soaked in ice water for about 10-15 minutes before you drink from them. This has two purposes; to chill the glass for a really nice cold drink, and to saturate the clay so it doesn't absorb your cocktail. You will also want to make sure you don't use soap on these cups, they are meant to only be rinsed with water.GLAZED cups are raw clay on the outside and glazed on the inside so your drink won't soak into the cup. These can also be soaked in ice water but it isn't totally necessary. They are also generally dishwasher safe. (this is the type I use)
- TIP: if you are going to soak your cups do it while you squeeze all your fresh juices!
Cantarito Cocktail
- Fill your cup half way with ice. Set aside.
- In your cocktail shaker add a few cubes of ice, tequila, a pinch of kosher salt, fresh squeezed grapefruit, orange and lime juices.
- Pop the lid on the shaker and give it a vigorous shake for about 20 seconds.
- Strain into your drinking glass/cup. Top with 2 oz of grapefruit soda.
- Optionally garnish with a lime, grapefruit or orange wedge.
Notes:
If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.
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