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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Tequila

    The Best Cantarito Cocktail

    Published: Jun 11, 2022 · Modified: Feb 2, 2023 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 7 Comments

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    Cantarito in a clay cup with pinterest text overlay

    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!

    Cantarito Drink in a jarrito de barro (clay cup)

    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!

    two clay cups also called jarritos de barro that have been soaked in water, these cups are used for cantarito drinks

    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.

    ingredients and supplies to make cantarito cocktails

    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.

    Optional Garnish

    Garnishing this Cantarito Cocktail with lime, grapefruit or orange cocktails is perfect. But some people like to rim the clay jug with a little Tajin Seasoning, just like you would garnish a margarita glass with kosher salt.

    Tajin is classically used for fruits, veggies and meat. It has a semi salty flavor with herbs and spices: dried chilies and dehydrated lime juice.

    Make It a Pitcher

    If you want to make a pitcher of Cantaritos for a larger group, pop down to the recipe card and follow these instructions:

    1. Hover your cursor or finger over the “servings” section in the recipe card.
    2. Move the cursor that appears up to the amount of drinks you wish to make.
    3. That will change the ingredient amounts in the recipe card.
    4. Serve from a pitcher into glasses filled with ice.

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    Susie Weinrich washing produce

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    Rate This Recipe
    cantarito drink in a clay cup garnished with a lime wedge

    The Best Cantarito Cocktail Recipe

    A citrus forward, tequila based Mexican drink that is traditionally served in clay cups. Flavors of grapefruit, orange, and lime makes this an excellent summer cocktail.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 drink
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker optional (can also use a mason jar, just be careful since it's glass)
    • Cantaritos Clay Glasses

    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

    Garnish

    • lime, orange or grapefruit wedges
    • optionally rim the Cantarito cup with Tajin Seasoning, just like you would rim a margarita glass with kosher salt.
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    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.
      2 oz blanco tequila, 2 oz fresh orange juice, 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice, .5 oz fresh lime juice, pinch of kosher salt
    • 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.
      2 oz grapefruit soda
    • Optionally garnish with a lime, grapefruit or orange wedge.

    Notes:

    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, or Q Mixers. Use Fresca for less sugar but it will change the flavor of the drink.
    Make It a Pitcher: 
    • Hover your cursor or finger over the “servings” section in the recipe card.
    • Move the cursor that appears up to the amount of drinks you wish to make.
    • That will change the ingredient amounts in the recipe card.
    • Serve from a pitcher into glasses filled with ice.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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    1. Becca

      February 03, 2023 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      So delicious and refreshing! I can’t wait to enjoy under the summer sunshine once I have those clay glasses, too!

      Reply
      • Susie Weinrich

        February 03, 2023 at 11:51 am

        Right!! Perfect summer drink. Can’t wait for those warm summer days. Winter is lasting FOR-EVER here in the Midwest.

        Reply
    2. Olena

      February 02, 2023 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      Susie! We enjoyed your cantarito cocktails over the weekend with my husband maybe too much. 🙂 Never too much! Soo delicious!

      Reply
    3. Jenna

      February 02, 2023 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      Well balanced and delicious drink! I love the Tajin rim. Will be perfect by the pitcher for summer pool days!!

      Reply
    4. Erin

      February 02, 2023 at 4:33 pm

      5 stars
      I have enjoyed tequila with each of these fruits separately, but never all together. Wow! So delicious!!! Thanks for this tasty drink!

      Reply
    5. Lo

      February 02, 2023 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for date night and Greg and I both LOVED this! Now I have to find some cool clay glasses! Wonderful recipe

      Reply
    6. Andrea Howe

      February 02, 2023 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a unique drink, mainly because of the fun clay mug. I loved the drink itself too! Thanks for introducing me to this fun and special drink. We had it for a girls night on taco Tuesday 🙂

      Reply

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