Skinny Cantaritos Cocktails
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on Apr 20, 2023, Updated Feb 24, 2025
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Citrusy, sweet-tart, boozy, and bubbly, you’re going to love these lightened-up Cantaritos cocktails! Swapping in fresh grapefruit, a splash of agave, and grapefruit-flavored seltzer in place of the traditional grapefruit soda makes a delectable “skinny” cantarito that’s right on time for warmer weather.
What is a Cantarito?
A cantarito is a traditional Mexican clay drinking vessel that is used to serve a popular (and eponymous) cocktail. The cantaritos cocktail typically includes tequila, lime juice, orange juice, grapefruit soda, and sometimes salt or other seasonings. It is traditionally served in a cantarito glass, sometimes decorated with colorful designs.
Drinking from a cantarito is said to enhance the flavor of the cocktail and give it a unique earthy taste. The use of clay vessels is also believed to have health benefits due to the minerals and other substances found in the clay.
How to Cure Unglazed Clay Cups
For best results, follow these steps every time you use your unglazed clay cups for a drink. This process saturates the clay with water before adding your cocktail, helping prevent the cup from absorbing your drink and “sweating” it.
Final Rinse: After enjoying your drink, rinse the cups with water only.
Rinse with Warm Water: Rinse the cups using warm water only—no soap, as it can be absorbed by the clay.
Soak in Cold Water: Place the cups in a large container and fill with cold water until they’re completely submerged. Let them soak for 20–30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love palomas and margaritas, you’ll adore these Mexican cocktails that blend tequila, fresh citrus, salt, and the earthy notes of clay vessels for a sweet, tangy flavor.
Easily Customizable: Adjust the tequila or add extra seasonings and garnishes.
Quick & Easy: A simple recipe with minimal prep and just a few basic ingredients.
Light & Refreshing: Combines lime, grapefruit, and orange juice with zesty tequila and bubbly seltzer.
Better-For-You: Uses an all-natural alternative to grapefruit soda for a guilt-free summer sip.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this skinny cantarito recipe:
- Tequila – It is important to use a 100% agave Blanco or Silver tequila, as this will ensure the best quality and flavor.
- Orange, Grapefruit, & Limes – A triple whammy of fresh citrus takes these lovely libations into a whole new realm of deliciousness.
- Agave Nectar – Made from the same plant as tequila, agave nectar naturally complements its flavor. It’s sweeter than sugar and has a lower glycemic index, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes. You can also substitute honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup if desired.
- Grapefruit-Flavored Sparkling Water – For soda vibes without any high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. I used LaCroix, but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Crushed Ice – If you don’t have an ice maker that crushes ice for you, simply fill a zip-top gallon bag about halfway full and zip it shut. Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to break the ice into skinny chips for serving your cantarito drink!
- Tajin – While you’re welcome to use plain salt to rim your drink glasses, the Mexican chili-lime seasoning salt known as Tajin adds an extra layer of zesty flavor.
How To Make Skinny Cantaritos
These cantaritos drinks come together in a flash! Here’s how:
Step 1: Rim Glasses. Run a wedge of a lime, agave nectar, or chamoy around your cantarito glasses, then dip them in Tajin. Fill with crushed ice. Set aside.
Step 2: Shake tequila, citrus juices, and agave in a shaker filled with whole ice cubes. Aim for 30-45 seconds, or until chilled and well aerated.
Step 3: Strain the skinny cantaritos into your prepared clay drinking vessels. Top with sparkling water.
Step 4: Garnish with wedges or wheels of fresh citrus and a tamarind candy straw. then enjoy!
Optional Variations
As much as I love this cantaritos recipe just as written, you’re welcome to customize it. Here are a few variations to consider:
- Mocktail – Either omit the tequila or swap in your favorite non-alcoholic brand for a booze-free sipper.
- Mexcal – Swap tequila for mezcal for a deliciously smokier twist.
Expert Tips
Shake it like you mean it. Vigorously shake the cocktail shaker to mix the ingredients thoroughly before pouring them into glasses.
Use fresh and high-quality tequila. When making the cocktail, use fresh citrus juice and good quality tequila that is 100% agave.
Invest in clay vessels. Using a traditional clay cantarito vessel adds a unique and authentic touch to the cocktail and enhances its flavor. You can also purchase glazed cantaritos to skip the curing process.
Before using the cantaritos, soak them in water for at least an hour. This will prevent the clay from absorbing the liquid and affecting the flavor of the cocktail (see details above).
Garnish. Have fun with your garnishes or serve with a tamarind candy straw for a festive touch.
Serving Suggestions
Skinny Cantaritos pair beautifully with lots of different food options, including:
- Traditional Mexican party foods such as tacos, enchiladas, and guacamole.
- Seafood – The tangy and sweet flavors balance out the flavors of seafood dishes such as ceviche, shrimp cocktails, and fish tacos.
- Grilled Meat – The smoky flavors of grilled meats such as steak, chicken, and pork are complemented by the refreshing flavors of this tequila cocktail.
- Spicy Foods – The citrusy brightness of these boozy beverages can help cool down the heat of spicy foods such as salsa, hot wings, and chili.
- Light Meals – The bright, fresh flavors of this fresh Mexican cocktail pair well with light meals such as fruit salad, any entrée salad, and cucumber salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
When making cantaritos it is generally recommended to use a good-quality blanco or reposado tequila.
Blanco tequila is unaged and has a pure, clean flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in the cocktail. Reposado tequila is aged for a short period of time in oak barrels, which gives it a slightly more complex flavor that can add depth and richness to the cocktail.
Some popular brands of tequila that are well-suited for making cantaritos include Casa Noble, El Jimador, Espolòn, and Milagro. Ultimately, the best tequila for making cantaritos is one that you enjoy the taste of and fits within your budget.
If you don’t have clay cantaritos, there are several types of glasses that can be used as a substitute. Here are a few options:
1. Mason jars are a versatile and popular choice for serving cocktails, and can work well as a substitute for cantaritos. They have a similar shape and size, and can give a rustic and casual feel to your drink.
2. Highball glasses are tall and narrow, with a capacity of around 10-12 ounces, which is similar to a traditional cantarito.
3. Collins glasses are another type of tall and narrow glassware that can be used as a substitute for traditional clay vessels.
4. Tumblers are short and wide glasses that are commonly used for serving whiskey and other spirits, but can also work well as a casual substitute.
Ultimately, the type of glass you use for serving your cocktails will depend on your personal preference and the occasion. As long as the glass is able to hold the ingredients and is comfortable to drink from, it can work well as a substitute for traditional clay cantaritos.
More Popular Mexican Drinks
Skinny Cantaritos
Ingredients
- 4 ounces tequila, blanco or reposado
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1 grapefruit, juiced
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- grapefruit flavored sparkling water
- crushed ice
Instructions
- Rim cantaritos with Tajin. Garnish with fruit slices.
- Shake tequila, juices, and agave with ice. Top glass with sparkling water.
Notes
- Shake it like you mean it. Vigorously shake the cocktail shaker to mix the ingredients thoroughly before pouring them into glasses.
- Use fresh and high-quality ingredients. When making the cocktail, use fresh citrus juice, good quality tequila that is 100% agave, and ice made from filtered water. This will ensure the best flavor and quality of the cocktail.
- Invest in clay vessels. Using a traditional clay cantarito vessel adds a unique and authentic touch to the cocktail and enhances its flavor. You can also purchase glazed cantaritos to skip the curing process.
- Before using the cantaritos, soak them in water for at least an hour. This will prevent the clay from absorbing the liquid and affecting the flavor of the cocktail.
- Garnish. Have fun with your garnishes or serve with a tamarind candy straw for a festive touch.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
