What Kind of Alcohol Do Cantaritos Have?

December 3, 2025 •

4 min read

Originating from the Jalisco region of Mexico, the Cantarito is a beloved and festive beverage known for its vibrant citrus flavor. The core alcohol in a Cantarito is tequila, which perfectly complements the fresh grapefruit, orange, and lime juices, and is topped with grapefruit soda. This classic Mexican drink offers a more complex and fruit-forward profile than a standard Paloma.

Quick Summary

The Cantarito cocktail uses a tequila base, most commonly blanco or reposado, blended with fresh grapefruit, orange, and lime juices, and finished with grapefruit soda. It is traditionally served in a clay mug, giving it a unique, earthy touch. The result is a crisp, complex, and highly refreshing drink, celebrated for its perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Key Points

Tequila is the base alcohol: The signature alcohol in a Cantarito is tequila, typically using either blanco or reposado versions.
Blanco vs. Reposado: Blanco tequila provides a crisp, agave-forward kick, while reposado offers a smoother, more complex flavor with notes of oak and vanilla.
Key Ingredients: Beyond tequila, the cocktail includes fresh grapefruit, orange, and lime juices, a pinch of salt, and a fizzy grapefruit soda.
Traditional Presentation: Traditionally, Cantaritos are served in a small clay mug called a jarrito de barro, which helps keep the drink chilled.
More Complex than a Paloma: The addition of orange juice gives the Cantarito a more layered and fruit-forward flavor compared to its cousin, the Paloma.
Customizable: The recipe can be customized with variations like mezcal for a smoky taste or agave nectar for added sweetness.

The Cantarito is a quintessential Mexican cocktail, famous for its refreshing and complex citrus profile, with tequila serving as its alcoholic foundation. While many recipes exist, the core spirit remains the same, though the type of tequila can significantly influence the final flavor of the drink. Understanding the different options can help you craft the perfect Cantarito for your taste.

The Traditional Base: Tequila

The choice of tequila is paramount when making a Cantarito. The two most common types used are blanco and reposado, each contributing a distinct character to the cocktail.

Blanco Tequila

Blanco, or silver tequila, is unaged or aged for no more than 60 days, giving it a crisp, clear, and agave-forward flavor. Its bright, peppery, and vegetal notes cut through the rich citrus juices, resulting in a vibrant and sharp-tasting cocktail. For those who prefer a clean and potent agave presence in their drinks, a good quality blanco is the perfect choice.

Reposado Tequila

Reposado, meaning 'rested,' is aged in oak barrels for at least two months but less than a year. This aging process imparts a smoother, more mellow flavor profile with subtle notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel. Using reposado in a Cantarito creates a more rounded, complex, and sippable cocktail, where the tequila’s warmth balances the tangy citrus.

Variations in the Cantarito Recipe

Beyond the base spirit, a Cantarito's flavor is defined by its mix of fresh citrus juices and grapefruit soda. Different preparations can produce varying flavor profiles, with mezcal sometimes even replacing the traditional tequila.

Classic Cantarito: A standard recipe uses blanco or reposado tequila, fresh orange, lime, and grapefruit juices, a pinch of salt, and grapefruit soda. This combination highlights the multi-layered citrus flavors.
Mezcal Cantarito: For those who prefer a smoky profile, substituting mezcal for tequila offers a complex, earthy dimension that works well with the citrus blend.
Agave Nectar Cantarito: Some recipes call for a small amount of agave nectar or simple syrup to balance the tartness of the juices, creating a sweeter, more balanced drink.
Pitcher Cantarito: For parties, a larger batch can be mixed and served from a traditional clay pitcher, allowing for easy sharing and keeping the drink colder longer.

Cantarito vs. Paloma Comparison Table

While often compared, the Cantarito and Paloma are distinct tequila cocktails with key differences.


Feature	Cantarito	Paloma
Tequila	Traditionally reposado, but blanco is also common.	Typically made with blanco tequila.
Citrus	Uses a mix of fresh lime, grapefruit, and orange juice.	Usually only contains fresh lime juice.
Soda	Topped with grapefruit soda (like Jarritos or Squirt).	Topped with grapefruit soda or a combination of grapefruit juice and club soda.
Salt	A pinch of salt is often added directly to the drink and/or on the rim.	Salt is typically used only for the rim.
Complexity	More complex and layered due to the blend of multiple citrus juices.	Simpler and more straightforward, showcasing the tequila and grapefruit notes.
Serving Vessel	Traditionally served in a clay mug, or jarrito de barro.	Typically served in a highball or Collins glass.

How to Make the Perfect Cantarito

Making a Cantarito at home is straightforward and produces a cocktail that tastes incredible. For an authentic experience, follow these steps:

Prepare your cup: Rim a clay cup (or any tall glass) with a lime wedge, then dip it into a mix of salt and chili-lime seasoning, such as Tajín.
Add ice: Fill your cup with plenty of ice.
Mix the base: Squeeze fresh grapefruit, orange, and lime juice into the glass. A traditional recipe calls for roughly equal parts grapefruit and orange, and a slightly smaller amount of lime. Add your chosen tequila (blanco for a crisper taste, reposado for a smoother one).
Add salt: Sprinkle a small pinch of salt into the drink to enhance the citrus flavors.
Stir and top: Gently stir to combine the ingredients. Top with a splash of chilled grapefruit soda until the cup is full.
Garnish: Add a slice of orange, lime, or grapefruit to the rim for garnish.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Tequila Cocktail

In summary, the defining alcoholic component of a Cantarito is tequila, with blanco and reposado being the most popular choices depending on the desired flavor profile. Its refreshing blend of fresh citrus juices and grapefruit soda, often served in a traditional clay mug, creates a distinctly flavorful cocktail that stands out from other tequila drinks like the Paloma. For anyone seeking a taste of authentic Mexican fiesta culture, the Cantarito is an easy-to-master and endlessly enjoyable option.

Learn more about different tequila expressions and cocktail recipes from the Diageo Bar Academy.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary alcohol is tequila. Most recipes use either blanco (silver) or reposado (rested) tequila, with the choice affecting the cocktail's final flavor.

The main difference is the citrus. A Paloma typically uses only lime juice and grapefruit soda with tequila, while a Cantarito includes a blend of fresh orange, grapefruit, and lime juices, giving it a more complex flavor.

Yes, some variations of the cocktail use mezcal instead of tequila. This substitution adds a smoky, earthy flavor profile that complements the citrus components.

A classic Cantarito recipe calls for freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, orange juice, and lime juice.

Traditionally, Cantaritos are served in a small earthenware clay cup called a jarrito de barro. The porous nature of the clay helps to insulate the drink and keep it colder for a longer time.

Many Cantaritos are served with a rim coated in chili-lime seasoning, such as Tajín, to add a tangy and spicy kick.

Yes, Cantaritos are commonly made in large batches in Mexico for sharing at gatherings. You can easily multiply the recipe ingredients to prepare a pitcher.