The Non-Alcoholic History of Jarritos
For decades, Jarritos has been known as a refreshing, fruit-flavored Mexican soft drink made with real cane sugar and natural fruit flavors. The name itself, meaning 'little jugs,' refers to the traditional clay pottery jugs in which beverages are served in Mexico. The brand, founded in 1950, has long been a staple in Mexican households and has gained significant popularity across the Americas. It has consistently been a non-alcoholic product, and its classic flavors like Mandarin, Tamarind, and Pineapple are known for being family-friendly.
Jarritos as a Popular Mixer
While the original Jarritos contains no alcohol, it has been a popular mixer for cocktails for years. The sweet, tangy, and fruit-forward flavors make it a perfect complement to various spirits, especially tequila. The classic Paloma cocktail, for instance, often features a grapefruit-flavored soda like Jarritos as a key ingredient, mixed with tequila and lime juice. Bartenders and home mixologists have long experimented with Jarritos, creating their own signature drinks by pairing the different fruit flavors with different types of liquor. This tradition of using the soda as a mixer paved the way for the brand's eventual move into the alcoholic beverage market.
Cantaritos by Jarritos: The Hard Soda Line
In 2023, Jarritos' parent company, Novamex, collaborated with Anheuser-Busch to introduce an official line of hard sodas called Cantaritos by Jarritos. This new product was specifically designed to meet consumer demand for innovative, ready-to-drink options that captured the spirit of Mexican culture and beverages. The Cantaritos hard soda is inspired by the traditional Mexican cocktail of the same name, which is typically served in a clay pot and features a blend of citrus juices and tequila.
What is in Cantaritos Hard Soda?
Unlike traditional cocktails mixed with liquor, Cantaritos by Jarritos is a premium malt beverage. This means the alcohol base is derived from malted grains, similar to beer, rather than a distilled spirit like tequila. This distinction is crucial for consumers to understand. The hard soda comes in a variety of flavors inspired by the popular Jarritos soda line, such as Mandarin, Pineapple, Tamarind, and Fruit Punch, and has a 5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Cantaritos Hard Soda vs. Homemade Cocktails
For those who have enjoyed mixing Jarritos with liquor at home, the new Cantaritos hard soda offers a convenient, pre-mixed alternative. However, there are some notable differences. Homemade cocktails allow for full control over the type and amount of liquor used, the exact flavor profile, and the level of carbonation. The hard soda, while convenient, has a predetermined flavor and alcohol content. Reviews suggest that while the hard soda captures the essence of the Jarritos flavor, some find it sweeter or less carbonated than the original soda.
Comparison Table: Jarritos vs. Cantaritos Hard Soda
| Feature | Jarritos (Original Soda) | Cantaritos by Jarritos (Hard Soda) |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Content | 0% ABV (non-alcoholic) | 5% ABV (alcoholic malt beverage) |
| Base | Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural flavors | Malted grain base (premium malt beverage) |
| Availability | Widely available globally in grocery stores and restaurants | Available in select markets, expanding since its 2023 launch |
| Flavors | Mandarin, Tamarind, Pineapple, Lime, Guava, etc. | Mandarin, Pineapple, Tamarind, Fruit Punch |
| Packaging | Glass bottles and larger plastic bottles | Glass bottles and 25-ounce cans |
| Intended Use | Refreshing soda, mixer for cocktails | Ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage |
Is it the Same as a Traditional Mexican Cantarito?
It's important to differentiate the hard soda from the traditional Mexican cocktail it is named after. A traditional cantarito is a handcrafted, tequila-based cocktail made with fresh orange, lime, and grapefruit juice, often served in a clay jar. While the Cantaritos hard soda is inspired by this festive drink, it is not a direct replacement. The hard soda provides a convenient, canned version that echoes the flavor profile, but it does not contain tequila and may differ in taste and composition from a freshly mixed cocktail.
How to Create a Tequila-Based Jarritos Cocktail
For those who prefer a more authentic, liquor-based drink, a simple Jarritos cocktail is easy to make at home. A popular choice is the Jarritos Mandarin Margarita:
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Ingredients:
- Tequila blanco (100% agave is recommended)
- Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
- Jarritos Mandarin soda
- Tajín or salt for the rim
- Ice
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Instructions:
- Rim a glass with Tajín or salt.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add 1.5 to 2 ounces of tequila blanco and a splash of fresh citrus juice.
- Top with Jarritos Mandarin soda.
- Stir gently and garnish with a citrus slice.
This simple recipe highlights how the original, non-alcoholic Jarritos soda is still the perfect partner for creating custom, liquor-based drinks. The hard soda is an entirely separate product for different occasions.
Conclusion
In summary, the traditional, fruit-flavored Jarritos soft drink does not contain any liquor and is a non-alcoholic beverage. However, the brand has introduced a separate, new product line called Cantaritos by Jarritos, which is a 5% ABV malt beverage. This hard soda is not liquor-based but is inspired by the flavors of Jarritos and the popular tequila-based Cantarito cocktail. For those seeking an actual liquor-based drink with Jarritos, the classic and straightforward method of using the original soda as a mixer with spirits like tequila remains the best option. The introduction of the hard soda simply offers a convenient, ready-to-drink alternative for different tastes and preferences.
